2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Toyota Venza

The 2021 Nissan Rogue exhibited a handsome and robust styling that made it more SUV-like compared to its predecessors. Its perimeter was adorned with dark gray plastic cladding, bold simulated skid plates, and lower door protection, giving it a rugged look that, perhaps, seemed a bit overboard at the rear bumper. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportions lent the Rogue a modern appearance. All trim levels came with aluminum wheels, sized up to 19 inches in diameter. The optional two-tone paint with a black roof added a custom flair.

The Rogue came in four versions: the entry-level S starting at $25,650, the popular SV at $27,340, the more luxurious SL at $32,000, and the Platinum, which was a new addition in 2021, priced at $35,430. Adding all-wheel drive cost an extra $1,400. Our test vehicle, an SL trim with additional packages and paint, cost $35,195, including destination charges.

Inside, the test vehicle featured an Almond color leather interior and a panoramic glass sunroof, enhancing the sense of roominess. Soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars elevated the cabin's quality. The Platinum trim further accentuated luxury with quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting. Despite some retro elements like an old-school digital clock look on the climate control panel and a CD player, modern tech like wireless Apple CarPlay kept the Rogue up-to-date.

The 2022 Toyota Venza reappeared after a hiatus with a refined aesthetic riding on the TGNA-K platform. Its measurements placed it at the shorter end of the midsize crossover segment, with a length of 186.6 inches, a width of 73.0 inches, and a height of 65.9 inches. The Venza's proportions were admirable, with a scalloped body side forming a powerful-looking rear fender and an eye-catching tailgate bisected by a stripe of LED lighting. The nose's prominent overhang, unusual for an SUV, suggested that the Venza was more suited for urban settings than off-road adventures.

The Venza's interior mirrored Lexus-like elegance, featuring a layered dash that utilized a steep windshield to create depth. The standard 8-inch or optional 12.3-inch touchscreen was ideally placed atop the center stack. Both front and rear seats offered ample support and comfort, making the cabin a pleasant place for journeys.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's performance drew some criticism for needing more power. The SUV, weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, was equipped with a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. This power was adequate for daily driving, coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that mimicked the feel of a traditional automatic. With available all-wheel drive and up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, the Rogue could handle some rugged terrain, but its naturally aspirated engine struggled in more demanding conditions.

The Rogue's fuel economy was decent but not groundbreaking, averaging 27.5 mpg on a driving loop, slightly less than its EPA estimate. The vehicle's new architecture, using 35% high-strength steel, combined with advanced suspension systems, provided a smooth ride and improved steering feel over the previous generation.

The 2022 Toyota Venza employed a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with three electric motors, delivering a combined 219 horsepower. The hybrid setup balanced electric and gas driving for optimal efficiency. Drivers could select from EV, Normal, Eco, and Sport modes to customize performance. Regenerative braking helped recharge the lithium-ion battery, and the main charge came from a motor-generator driven by the gas engine.

The Venza offered sprightly performance and agile handling, akin to a Camry on stilts. While not designed for aggressive cornering, it fulfilled its role as a family hauler admirably. The hybrid powertrain contributed to excellent fuel economy without the need for charging infrastructure, making the Venza a convenient option for those without access to home chargers.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured Zero Gravity seats designed to mimic the body's neutral position in space, enhancing comfort. While previous Rogues had smaller versions of these seats, the 2021 model improved, offering cloth or leather upholstery depending on trim. Higher trims added heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats, though ventilated seats were notably missing.

With an improved triple-zone automatic climate control system, the Rogue catered well to both front and rear passengers. The rear seat offered generous headroom and legroom, and doors that opened nearly 90 degrees facilitated easy access. The Rogue could accommodate up to three child safety seats, thanks to new LATCH anchors. Interior noise was minimized through aerodynamic enhancements and acoustic materials.

Cargo space in the Rogue was slightly reduced but remained generous, with 31.6 cubic feet in S and SV trims and up to 36.5 cubic feet in SL and Platinum models. Folding the rear seats increased capacity to 74.1 cubic feet, one of the largest in the compact SUV segment.

The 2022 Toyota Venza provided seating for five across two rows. Both rows offered good headroom and legroom, with the second row featuring 45.2 inches of hip room, making it comfortable for three adults. The cabin felt roomy, especially with the available Star Gaze fixed panoramic glass roof.

Convenience features included an electric parking brake, sliding sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, and a spacious glove compartment. The Venza also had plenty of storage options, with four cupholders, four bottle holders, and door panels that could hold 24-ounce bottles. The lithium-ion battery pack under the rear seats had minimal impact on cargo capacity.

The Venza offered 28.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 55.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. This capacity was smaller than the Rogue's but adequate for most needs.

Nissan equipped the 2021 Rogue with a competitive infotainment package, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto in the S trim. Higher trims added WiFi hotspot capability, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim featured a larger 9-inch touchscreen, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose audio system. Platinum trim also included wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2022 Toyota Venza's hybrid powertrain required no special attention or charging infrastructure, making it convenient for apartment dwellers and those without access to home chargers. It featured a Predicted Efficient Drive system that optimized hybrid battery charging based on driving habits.

The LE and XLE trims came with an 8-inch touchscreen, AM/FM/HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio with a three-month trial, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Limited model added a nine-speaker JBL audio system, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and navigation. Advanced Technology Package offered a head-up display and rain-sensing wipers, with a 5-inch instrument cluster display standard on LE models and a 7-inch display on XLE and Limited.

Safety was a priority for both vehicles. The 2021 Nissan Rogue came equipped with Nissan's Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, enhanced ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, and more airbags, including a unique airbag between front passengers in the Platinum trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Venza featured the Toyota Star Safety System, incorporating stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. It also had eight airbags, three-point seatbelts, and LATCH anchors for child seats. Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 added forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and bicycle detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, and more.

The Venza earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and received a five-star rating from NHTSA.