2022 Volkswagen Taos vs 2021 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Nissan Rogue wore a handsome new style with a more technical appearance, clearly skewing towards the SUV category compared to its previous models. Dark gray plastic cladding wrapped around the lower perimeter, while bold simulated skid plates and lower door protection added a level of ruggedness—perhaps too audaciously on the back bumper. Clean LED lighting, a prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned body lines lent the Rogue a modern aesthetic. All trim levels featured aluminum wheels up to 19 inches in diameter, with the optional two-tone paint and black roof treatment giving it a custom look.

Four versions were available: the base Rogue S at $25,650, the popular Rogue SV at $27,340, the Rogue SL featuring a touch of luxury at $32,000, and the new 2021 Rogue Platinum at $35,430 with high-end amenities like quilted semi-aniline leather. With destination charges plus select factory options, our tested front-wheel-drive SL model topped $35,195.

Inside, the test vehicle boasted an Almond-colored leather interior with a standard panoramic glass sunroof, emphasizing a light and roomy environment accentuated by soft-touch surfaces and simulated wood trim. Nissan’s arrangement of controls in a logical manner complemented the luxurious feel. However, the climate control panel's numbers resembled an old-school digital clock, and despite offering a CD player, the Rogue included modern features like wireless Apple CarPlay. The top-tier Platinum trim took luxury even further with quilted leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting.

For the 2022 Volkswagen Taos, Volkswagen presented a juxtaposition between simplicity and details. Positioned between subcompact and compact segments, it aimed at competitors like the Kia Seltos and Subaru Crosstrek. The Taos came in three trims—S, SE, and SEL—with prices ranging from $22,995 to $33,045, plus a $1,195 destination charge.

Although the Taos carried a simple outward design, the SEL 4Motion test vehicle's 19-inch machined-finish aluminum wheels added presence, and the Cornflower Blue paint reflected a vibrant personality. Typical SUV design elements like roof rails, dark gray cladding, and simulated skid plates were present, yet the blacked-out front bumper raised styling questions.

Inside, the use of hard, somewhat hollow-sounding plastic was prominent, though soft-touch materials were applied where essential. The SEL trim level featured two-tone perforated leather with contrast stitching, enhancing the upscale feel.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came with a single engine choice: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder delivering 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. Despite being adequate for daily driving, it fell short on power, particularly given the SUV's nearly 3,500-pound weight. The CVT executed its role well, mimicking a traditional automatic, and paddle shifters were available though scarcely needed.

Adventuring capabilities were bolstered by available AWD, 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes. However, in mountainous terrains, the normally-aspirated engine felt underpowered. Fuel economy for the tested Rogue SL with FWD was around 27.5 mpg, slightly below the EPA's rating.

The Rogue boasted a new, robust architecture using 35% high-strength steel. Upgraded suspension systems and the debut of Vehicle Motion Control improved ride quality and handling, with the revised steering particularly standing out for its dramatic improvement over the previous-gen model.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 184 pound-feet at a low 1,750 rpm. While robust torque figures ensured sufficient power, the turbocharger's delay led to inconsistent throttle response. The seven-speed DCT paired with the 4Motion AWD offered enthusiastic performance but was plagued by erratic shifting.

The standard eight-speed automatic transmission proved smoother but only came with FWD and a torsion-beam rear suspension. Driving the Taos in Sport mode improved driveability, and the SUV displayed exceptional road feel, steering, braking, and handling. However, its off-road readiness was hampered by a mere 6.6 inches of ground clearance. Fuel economy managed 27.1 mpg during testing, close to the EPA's combined rating of 28 mpg.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue introduced improved Zero Gravity seats, which felt more comfortable than the previous gen's. Entry-level S trims had cloth upholstery, while higher trims offered leatherette or leather seats. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear seats were available at higher trims. Dual-zone climate control featured in the SV, while the SL and Platinum boasted triple-zone systems and rear sunshades.

Rear seats offered generous headroom and legroom. The rear doors opened to nearly 90 degrees for easier passenger loading. Cargo capacity varied: 31.6 cubic feet in the S and SV, whereas the SL and Platinum offered 36.5 cubic feet with the Divide-N-Hide system. Maximum volume was 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats down.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos impressed with its roomy interior, particularly for its segment. The SEL trim offered deeply bolstered seats with eight-way power adjustment, lumbar support, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The rear seat was spacious, with ample legroom and comfortable seating.

Storage solutions were adequate, though the bin under the center armrest was notably small. Cargo space differed by drivetrain: FWD models offered 27.9 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 65.9 cubic feet with seats folded, while AWD versions provided 24.9 and 60.2 cubic feet, respectively. A center pass-through in the rear seat added versatility.

Nissan equipped the 2021 Rogue with competitive infotainment features. The base S trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration. The SL Premium Package and Rogue Platinum featured a larger 9-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless CarPlay, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. Top-tier Platinum models boasted wireless charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display.

The 2022 Volkswagen Taos featured Digital Cockpit instrumentation across all trims. The base S had a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while SE and SEL trims included an 8-inch display with MIB3 software. Standard features across the board included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Car-Net connected services with a WiFi hotspot. Upgraded trims added wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, voice control, wireless charging, and in the SEL, navigation and a BeatsAudio system. However, the infotainment system had usability issues, such as a complex interface and slower performance in the pre-production model.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came fully loaded with advanced safety features. The Safety Shield 360 suite included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Starting with the SV trim, the Rogue included ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control, lane-centering, and stop-and-go functionality. Higher trims featured an upgraded ProPilot Assist with Navi-link for predictive speed adjustments. The Rogue was constructed with nearly double the high-strength steel of its predecessor, promising enhanced crash protection.

For the 2022 Volkswagen Taos, IQ Drive safety technology was standard or available across trims. The base S equipped with the IQ Drive package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Advanced features like Travel Assist and Emergency Assist were available, providing Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. Rear parking sensors with automatic braking were standard on the SEL. The automatic rear braking was overly sensitive in some conditions, but could be turned off permanently if needed.