2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite a redesign in 2019, retained a somewhat dated appearance, largely carrying over from its previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru seemed to follow the adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," maintaining the boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Base trim level appeared plain with 17-inch steel wheels, but the Forester's clean and unpretentious look stood out among compact crossovers. The Sport models added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact, especially with complementary paint colors like Dark Blue Pearl.

Underneath, the Forester shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Impreza and Outback. The interior was practical, with materials designed to withstand wear and tear. The Sport trim added orange accents, while higher trims offered leather upholstery. The All-Weather Package, standard on Premium and higher trims, included heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a windshield de-icer.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, redesigned in 2021, continued with a mature and sophisticated look. It featured Nissan’s V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof design. The SL and Platinum trims included LED fog lamps and active grille shutters for improved airflow. The Rogue's cabin followed a layered dash design with contrasting colors and surfaces, creating a detailed and tasteful look. The center console was notable for its electronic gear selector, freeing up space for storage beneath it. The 9-inch infotainment display was positioned for easy driver access, and the instrument panel varied from a 7-inch display on lower trims to a 12.3-inch digital screen on upper trims.

The Rogue's Zero Gravity front seats were comfortable, and the second row offered ample legroom. Fit and finish were exemplary, especially on the Platinum model, with high-quality materials throughout.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The engine's boxer configuration provided a lower center of gravity. Subaru quoted a 1,500-pound towing capacity, with Trailer Stability Assist as standard. While the power felt adequate, it lacked the thrust needed for highway merging and overtaking. The suspension was soft, absorbing bumps but resulting in poor body control and noticeable body roll in corners. The Forester's all-wheel-drive system was standard, with X-Mode for different surfaces and Dual X-Mode on Sport models. It had 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it capable on mud and dirt but not suitable for serious off-roading.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured a new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine with 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, a significant improvement over the previous model. The engine's variable compression technology adjusted the combustion chamber size for better performance and efficiency. The Rogue achieved impressive fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The new CVT offered wider gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. The Rogue's chassis and suspension provided a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, and the electric power-assisted steering had good feel.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roof. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feel. The Forester had 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them down, more than some competitors but less than others. It lacked a sliding second-row bench but offered a power liftgate on higher trims. The cupholders and center console were practical, though the phone-storage cubby was too small, and wireless charging was not available. The large knobs for audio and climate control were user-friendly, but the steering wheel had too many buttons.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior storage, with numerous places to stash items, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, and more. The rear seats had storage options and USB ports. The Rogue's cargo area offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and 74.1 cubic feet with them down, making it versatile for various needs.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and front-row USB ports. Higher trims added an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, navigation, and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly but slow to boot up. Additional screens displayed secondary information, which seemed redundant.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's technology upgrade included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trims. Navigation used Google Maps and Waze with voice commands. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless CarPlay on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, available with Navi-Link, integrated navigation for predictive speed control, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. It came standard with EyeSight, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and more. ProPilot Assist offered advanced driver-assist features. The Rogue received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, and the 2021 model was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.