2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Volkswagen Atlas

The 2021 Nissan Rogue wore handsome new styling, presenting a more technical and rugged appearance than its predecessor. Its design leaned heavily into the SUV aesthetic with dark gray plastic cladding along the lower perimeter, bold simulated skid plates, and lower door protection, conveying a sense of rugged readiness – perhaps a bit too audaciously on the back bumper. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning lent the Rogue a modern and appealing aesthetic. Aluminum wheels were standard across all trims, sized up to 19 inches in diameter, and the optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment added a custom look.

The Rogue was available in four versions: the entry-level Rogue S starting at $25,650, the popular Rogue SV at $27,340, the slightly more luxurious Rogue SL at $32,000, and the new-for-2021 Platinum edition at $35,430, which included semi-aniline quilted leather and other upscale features. Adding destination charges and optional packages could increase the price significantly. For example, a test vehicle equipped with the SL trim, premium package, extra-cost paint, floor mats, and a cargo area protection package totaled $35,195.

Inside, the test vehicle featured an Almond color leather interior with a standard panoramic glass sunroof, creating a light and spacious feel. Soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars contributed to a sense of quality. The controls were logically arranged, and the Platinum trim stood out with its quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting. Despite some outdated elements like the CD player and an old-school digital clock-like appearance on the climate control panel, the Rogue boasted modern technology such as wireless Apple CarPlay.

In comparison, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas carried over many modifications from the previous year with minor updates. The lineup was simplified, focusing on six main trims: SE, SE with Technology, SEL, SEL R-Line, SEL R-Line Black (new for 2022), and SEL Premium R-Line. Pricing ranged from $34,355 to $51,505 with a $1,195 destination charge. The test vehicle, an SEL Premium R-Line, had extra-cost Aurora Red paint and second-row captain’s chairs, bringing the price to $53,790.

For 2022, the SEL Premium highlighted the R-Line design elements with 21-inch wheels that enhanced the Atlas’s bold and boxy styling. However, some wheel choices seemed mismatched for the overall design. Inside, the Atlas displayed excellent design simplicity with a premium flair, but the materials used were somewhat disappointing. Hard, shiny, and slippery plastics were abundant, leading to unwanted noise, vibration, and harshness – a drawback for an SUV priced nearly at $54,000.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. This output was adequate for everyday driving, though some might desire more power. The Rogue's continuously variable transmission (CVT) managed the available torque well, helping the SUV feel more like a traditional automatic, and even included paddle shifters, though they were seldom necessary.

With available all-wheel drive (AWD), up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, the Rogue was decent for light adventuring. However, its naturally-aspirated engine struggled in elevated terrains. Nissan hinted at the possibility of a more powerful, turbocharged engine in future models, but until then, drivers could make do with Sport, Standard, and Eco driving modes to tweak responsiveness and efficiency.

The tested Rogue SL with front-wheel drive achieved 27.5 mpg during various driving conditions, slightly below its EPA rating. The Rogue’s suspension system and steering received significant upgrades, making it predictable, smooth, and athletic. The electric assist moved from the steering column to the steering rack, resulting in a dramatically improved steering feel.

Conversely, the 2022 Volkswagen Atlas offered two engine choices: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder generating 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.6-liter V6 with 276 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. However, the turbo-four required premium fuel for maximum output and had a max towing capacity of only 2,000 pounds, although it boasted better fuel economy at 22-23 mpg combined. The V6 was more suited for those needing to tow up to 5,000 pounds but lacked refinement and efficiency, with combined fuel economy ratings of 19-20 mpg and a tested average of 19.6 mpg.

Both engines paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and could be equipped with front-wheel drive (FWD) or 4Motion AWD. The AWD system offered various drive modes including Eco, Normal, Sport, Individual, and different terrain modes for off-road capabilities. However, despite improved ride quality, the Atlas’ handling felt imprecise, particularly on undulating roads. Low-profile tires on 21-inch wheels provided good grip but led to a taut ride and significant road noise, detracting from overall driving comfort.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue boasted improved Zero Gravity seats that were previously small and undersized. The new seats were more comfortable, with S trim featuring cloth and manual adjustments, SV trim offering power adjustments and optional leatherette, and higher trims providing leather or premium leather upholstery. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats were available on higher trims, though ventilated seats were not.

In terms of climate control, the Rogue offered standard air conditioning, dual-zone automatic control in the SV, and a triple-zone system for the SL and Platinum, with rear-seat occupants controlling their own temperature. The rear seats offered increased headroom and legroom, near 90-degree door openings for easier access, and the ability to accommodate three child safety seats. Noise reduction measures like aerodynamic improvements and acoustic front glass contributed to a quieter cabin.

Storage solutions were practical, with a new electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console, large door-panel pockets, and a split butterfly-style center armrest. The cargo capacity was generous, with 31.6 cubic feet behind the second row in the S and SV, and up to 36.5 cubic feet in trims with the Divide-N-Hide system. Maximum cargo volume reached 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats down, making it one of the largest in the compact SUV class.

The 2022 Volkswagen Atlas excelled with its spacious and comfortable interior. Leatherette seats were standard, along with heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. Higher trims added tri-zone climate control, ambient lighting, power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a panoramic sunroof. Genuine leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and heated second-row seats were available on premium trims.

The Atlas accommodated seven adults comfortably, including those in the third row. Cargo space was exceptional, with 20.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 96.8 cubic feet with second-row seats down – surpassing even the full-size Nissan Armada.

However, unlined storage areas could create unwanted noise as items slid around. The Atlas also featured numerous user-friendly storage compartments, enhancing its practicality.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came with a competitive infotainment package. The base S trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with a free six-month trial to Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration. The SL Premium Package and Platinum featured a 9-inch touchscreen with real-time traffic navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system. Additional advanced tech features like wireless smartphone charging, a digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display were exclusive to the Platinum trim.

In contrast, all 2022 Volkswagen Atlas models featured the Volkswagen Digital Cockpit as standard. An 8-inch display was standard across most trims, expanding to 10.25 inches on the SEL trim with customizable themes and expanded functionality. The basic SE trim lagged with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims boasted the MIB3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L. The system, however, was slow to load and presented a cumbersome user experience. Car-Net connected services offered multiple features, with subscription plans for speech recognition, online radio, and over-the-air map updates. The SEL Premium R-Line came with a 12-speaker Fender audio system, providing impressive sound quality.

Nissan made safety a top priority in the 2021 Rogue, equipping it with a wide array of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the Safety Shield 360 umbrella. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue also featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, a rear-seat reminder, and, in Platinum trim, an airbag between the front seats. Adaptive cruise control was standard from the SV trim, and ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology came with higher trims, integrating navigation data for enhanced driving assistance.

Crash-test results for the Rogue were not available at the time of review, but its high-strength steel architecture and advanced safety features suggested strong protective capabilities.

For the 2022 Atlas, Volkswagen included comprehensive safety features. Standard equipment on the SE trim included automatic post-collision braking, Front Assist, Side Assist, and Rear Traffic Alert. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and Travel Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance. The SEL Premium R-Line featured a surround-view camera system and Park Assist technology. However, users experienced issues with parking sensors and lane-keeping technology misinterpreting road markings.

The Atlas received decent but not top-notch crash-test ratings, lacking a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS and earning four-star ratings for frontal-impact protection from NHTSA.