2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2021 Nissan Rogue showcased a handsome new styling with a more technical and rugged appearance, featuring dark gray plastic cladding along its lower perimeter and bold simulated skid plates. A prominent V-Motion grille, clean LED lighting elements, and proportionate design gave the Rogue a contemporary look. The aluminum wheels ranging up to 19 inches in diameter added to this modern aesthetic, and the optional two-tone paint with a black roof provided a customized touch.

The Rogue was available in four trims: the entry-level S, the popular SV, the more luxurious SL, and the top-tier Platinum. Prices ranged from $25,650 to $35,430, plus a $1,095 destination charge. Factory options included all-wheel drive and premium packages for SV and SL trims.

Inside, the tested Rogue SL featured an Almond-colored leather interior and a panoramic glass sunroof, creating a light and roomy feel. Soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars enhanced the sense of quality. The layout of the controls was logical and user-friendly, with Platinum trim offering quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting for a genuinely luxurious vibe. However, the climate control numbers had an old-school digital clock appearance, and the presence of a CD player seemed outdated, despite the inclusion of wireless Apple CarPlay.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was designed by removing the standard Atlas model’s third row, lowering the roofline by up to 2.3 inches for a sportier look, and shortening the SUV by 5.2 inches. While the wheelbase remained the same, providing ample interior space for five passengers, cargo space was reduced to 40.3 cubic feet behind the second row and a maximum of 77.8 cubic feet.

The SE trim's 18-inch alloy wheels appeared somewhat undersized, but the SE with Technology and SEL trims sported more appropriately sized 20-inch wheels. The SEL Premium R-Line trim came with impressive 21-inch machined-finish wheels that emphasized the vehicle's sporty and upscale appearance.

Six paint colors were available, although some required an extra payment. The test vehicle's Pure Gray exterior paired with a Dark Burgundy over Titan Black interior gave it a fantastic look. Other interior color options included Cinnamon Brown and Titan Black, each conveying an upscale feel.

Inside, the Atlas Cross Sport featured a spacious cabin with significant rear legroom and cargo space. However, the extensive use of hard, glossy plastic dulled the impression of quality, with unlined storage areas potentially producing rattles and noise. Despite these drawbacks, the Atlas Cross Sport maintained an upscale look and felt worth its price.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, its performance was merely adequate for daily commuting. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a good job of managing the available torque, with programmed ratios making it feel like a traditional automatic. Paddle shifters were provided but rarely used.

The Rogue offered all-wheel drive, up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, making it suitable for light off-roading. However, the naturally aspirated engine struggled in mountainous terrain, and Nissan hinted at a future turbocharged version for more power.

Fuel economy for the tested Rogue SL front-wheel drive was 27.5 mpg on a mixed driving loop, falling short of the EPA rating by 1.5 mpg. The new Rogue’s ride and handling were commendable, thanks to a more robust architecture, improved suspension systems, and a new Vehicle Motion Control feature that enhanced driving dynamics. The redesigned steering offered much better feel compared to the previous model.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered two engine options: a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque (requiring premium fuel), and an available 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. The V6 provided a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, significantly higher than the four-cylinder’s 2,000-pound rating.

Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system was available for both. Multiple driving modes, including Onroad, Snow, and Offroad, were accessible with the 4Motion system. The test vehicle, an SEL Premium R-Line with the V6 engine, felt more energetic than the three-row Atlas despite being only slightly lighter.

Fuel economy was lower, at 19.2 mpg on a test loop, with occasional drivetrain refinement issues. The 21-inch wheels and Pirelli Scorpion Zero all-season tires affected ride quality, making it harsh on city streets but compliant on highways. The Cross Sport’s suspension felt mismatched for varying road conditions.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered improved Zero Gravity seat designs, providing better comfort with different upholstery options across trims. Higher trims included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats, although ventilated seats were not available. Standard air conditioning, dual-zone automatic climate control from the SV trim upward, and triple-zone control for SL and Platinum trims were provided, along with rear air conditioning vents and sunshades for rear windows.

Rear-seat headroom and legroom were generous, and the nearly 90-degree opening rear doors made passenger loading easy. Three child safety seats could be accommodated, and a rear-seat reminder system was standard. Interior noise was reduced through aerodynamic improvements and acoustic front glass.

Cargo space in the Rogue was slightly less than the previous model but remained generous. The S and SV trims offered 31.6 cubic feet of space, while the SL and Platinum trims, with the Divide-N-Hide system, provided up to 36.5 cubic feet. Folding the rear seat expanded cargo capacity to 74.1 cubic feet, among the largest in its class.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport shared its wheelbase and track width with the larger Atlas, offering roomy accommodations for five adults. The front seats were power-adjustable and included heating and ventilation, with heated rear outboard seats and a heated steering wheel. A dual-zone automatic climate control system and a panoramic sunroof enhanced the interior space.

Storage was ample, with large door panel bins, a roomy glove compartment, and multiple other storage areas, although many storage areas lacked lining, causing potential rattles. The cargo area was spacious despite the lower roofline, offering deep wells for restrained storage. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo space, accommodating larger items like full-size suitcases.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard on the S trim. The SV and SL trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and integration for Alexa and Google Assistant. A larger 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system were included in the SL Premium Package and Platinum trim. Voice recognition and a digital instrument cluster were available in higher trims.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included Volkswagen Digital Cockpit with an 8-inch display and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system on the SE trim. Higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit and an 8-inch touchscreen with proximity sensors. Features like Bluetooth pairing for two devices, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and more USB ports were available. Car-Net connected services offered additional functionality, such as remote engine start, emergency assistance, and a WiFi hotspot. A 12-speaker Fender premium sound system was included in the SEL Premium R-Line trim.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered an advanced suite of safety features under the Safety Shield 360 umbrella, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. It came with ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder. Higher trims included ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. The upgraded ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology used navigation data to adjust speed for curves and freeway junctions. Crash-test results were unavailable at the time, but the increased use of high-strength steel improved crash protection.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and an automatic post-collision braking system as standard. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and IQ Drive with Travel Assist and Emergency Assist. A semi-autonomous Parking Steering Assistant and a 360-degree camera system were available. Crash-test ratings were favorable but not the highest from IIHS or NHTSA.