2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Nissan Rogue presented itself with handsome new styling, characterized by a more technical appearance that made it look more like an SUV than a car. Dark gray plastic cladding covered the Rogue's lower perimeter, and bold, simulated skid plates and lower door protection gave it an audacious touch, especially on the back bumper.

Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportions lent the Rogue a modern aesthetic. All trim levels came with aluminum wheels, sizing up to 19 inches in diameter. The optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment added a custom look to the SUV.

The Rogue was offered in four versions: the entry-level Rogue S, the popularly chosen Rogue SV, the luxuriously enhanced Rogue SL, and the top-tier Rogue Platinum. These models ranged from $25,650 to $35,430, excluding destination charges. Factory options included an all-wheel-drive system for $1,400 and Premium option packages for the SV and SL trims.

The tested Rogue SL featured an Almond color leather interior and a standard panoramic glass sunroof, making the interior light and spacious. High-quality materials and a logical arrangement of controls added to the sense of comfort and luxury. The Platinum trim, with its quilted semi-aniline leather and ambient lighting, offered an even more upscale experience.

On the other hand, the 2022 Volvo XC90 had moved away from its boxy cars and wagons of the '70s, '80s, and '90s. With an emphasis on family-friendly, safety-oriented design, Volvo had transitioned into the luxury class. The current XC90, launched in 2016, served as the company’s flagship SUV.

The XC90 had a commendable stance and profile, appearing poised to launch forward. Its design included a sleek roofline, pronounced wheel arches, and a snub nose reminiscent of the classic 245 wagon. Superior fit and finish emphasized the vehicle's quality, and the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights added a touch of Swedish heritage.

The interior of the XC90 exuded "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," with natural wood and metal trims contributing to its authentic feel. Exquisite details like the sliding wood tambour cover on the center console and a clear crystal gear selector identified it as a luxury vehicle.

Volvo announced a commitment to leather-free vehicles by 2030, but the XC90 could still be fitted with Nappa leather. The non-leather option was a "tailored wool blend" upholstery, designed for ease of care and durability. The test car featured leather seats, providing comfort during a hot and humid week, which suggested the wool blend may not appeal to everyone.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, at nearly 3,500 pounds, was powered by 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. While functional for daily use, it lacked the excitement needed for an SUV.

The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a respectable job of maximizing torque, and with programmed ratios, it mimicked the feel of a traditional automatic transmission. Despite paddle shifters being present, they were rarely used. The Rogue featured available all-wheel drive (AWD), offering up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, making it slightly more capable off the beaten path.

The tested front-wheel-drive Rogue SL achieved 27.5 mpg in varied driving conditions, slightly below the EPA rating. Riding on a new architecture with a higher percentage of high-strength steel, the Rogue boasted improved ride and handling dynamics. Nissan's innovations like Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control added to its driving satisfaction, and the new steering setup offered significantly improved feel.

By comparison, the 2022 Volvo XC90 came with three powertrain choices. The T5 model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine delivering 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 variant boasted a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine, producing 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8, a plug-in hybrid, combined a supercharged/turbocharged engine and an electric motor, achieving a total of 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque.

T5 models were front-wheel-drive (FWD) with an optional AWD system, while T6 and T8 models were AWD by default. All versions employed an eight-speed automatic transmission. The fuel economy for T5 FWD models was rated at 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined. T6 AWD models achieved 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 variant demonstrated impressive efficiency, with a combined rating of 55 MPGe and up to 36 miles of electric range.

Despite its size, the XC90 handled like a smaller vehicle. Body roll was minimal, and the electric motor in the T8 extended range model provided immediate torque, enhancing acceleration without turbo lag. The driving experience was both spirited and refined, making the XC90 enjoyable and dynamic.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered an enhanced driving experience with its Zero Gravity seat designs, promoting a neutral spine position for reduced fatigue and muscle strain. This comfort was notably improved in the 2021 model. Standard cloth upholstery was featured in the S trim, while the SV added power-adjustable seats and optional leatherette upholstery. The SL and Platinum trims came with standard leather, with the latter offering premium leather for an even softer touch.

Nissan provided a range of climate control features across the trims. The SV introduced dual-zone automatic climate control, and the SL and Platinum had a triple-zone system. Rear air conditioning vents were standard, and rear side window sunshades were available in the higher trims.

Rear-seat headroom and legroom were significantly better in this model, and nearly 90-degree rear doors made passenger loading easier. The Rogue also featured a rear-seat reminder system, useful storage spaces, and a power rear liftgate option. Cargo capacity ranged from 31.6 cubic feet to 36.5 cubic feet, with the rear seats up, and up to 74.1 cubic feet when folded.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 was available in six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row. Although the third row was more suitable for children, the second row offered adequate space for adults. The XC90 provided 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with it folded, and up to 85.7 cubic feet with both rear rows down.

The XC90 showcased thoughtful storage solutions and a spacious, airy cabin, aided by the standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed admirably under extreme heat and humidity, ensuring comfort regardless of the weather.

In terms of cargo capabilities, the XC90 surpassed the Rogue, especially with the second and third rows down. Additionally, the XC90’s towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds provided an advantage over the Rogue for those needing to tow light trailers or recreational vehicles.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came with a competitive infotainment package. The base S trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims integrated more advanced features like NissanConnect Services, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and a WiFi hotspot. The SL Premium Package and Platinum variant added a larger 9-inch display, door-to-door navigation, a Bose premium audio system, and wireless Apple CarPlay. Platinum trim also introduced wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

On the other hand, Volvo’s Sensus infotainment system in the 2022 XC90 was reminiscent of a tablet, with familiar swipe, pinch, and pull gestures. However, the system was occasionally slow and glitchy. The 9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen was positioned close to the driver’s line of sight, minimizing distractions. The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel offered easy customization and excellent graphics. The Advanced package, priced at $1,650, included a head-up display and a 360-degree camera system, enhancing safety and convenience.

Standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound was impressive, but the $3,200 Bowers & Wilkins upgrade catered to audiophiles with its superior surround sound staging. The XC90 also featured multiple USB ports and a WiFi hotspot with a trial subscription.

Safety was a paramount concern for the 2021 Nissan Rogue, equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system enhanced safety. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control with improved ProPilot Assist, which included lane-centering assistance and navigation-linked adjustments. The increased use of high-strength steel and advanced crash engineering suggested strong crash protection, though official test results were pending.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 maintained Volvo’s reputation for safety, with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive cruise control. Volvo’s Pilot Assist system provided semi-autonomous driving support on highways, reducing driver stress and enhancing safety. The XC90 was awarded the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and received a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.