2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Toyota Highlander

Few shoppers looked at the 2021 Toyota Highlander and accused it of being boring. It stood out in a crowd with its wide headlights, long hood, and assertive trapezoidal grille. The side profile featured a character line reminiscent of the Supra sports car, and the rear taillights had a Lexus-like design missing the vertical element. The 2021 Highlander managed to look longer and lower than its previous generation while maintaining its size.

In 2021, Toyota introduced the XSE trim level to the Highlander lineup, boasting a more aggressive, restyled front end. The XSE included 20-inch wheels with black accents, a unique front fascia, and a lower spoiler. These features contributed to a sporty appearance, although the performance enhancements were limited to suspension tuning and an appearance package.

For the test drive, the Limited trim was chosen, which ranked just below the Platinum in the hierarchy. The Highlander Limited's chrome roof rails and accents lent it a luxurious exterior, but the interior was where it truly shone. The tan leather seats paired with dark brown trim and faux wood details provided a near-flawless fit and finish, making every drive a pleasant experience.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Rogue displayed a more grown-up look after its redesign in 2021. The new Rogue adopted several exterior design features common to other current-generation Nissan vehicles, especially the Pathfinder. It featured the V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and an "air curtain" directing airflow around the front of the vehicle to improve efficiency. The floating roof effect, achieved with dark supporting pillars, added sleekness, while the slightly bulging liftgate finished off the design elegantly.

Inside, the Rogue followed a layered dash design with contrasting colors on some trims. The center console was especially highlighted due to its electronic gear selector lever, which freed up space beneath the console for storage options, including a wireless charging pad. The upper trims showcased a sophisticated and detailed look, reflecting Nissan's attention to interior design.

When it came to performance, the 2021 Toyota Highlander was geared more towards smooth and predictable operation rather than exhilarating speed. Powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, the Highlander came with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It could be configured with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.

While the Highlander wasn't designed to excel in drag races, it handled merges onto highways with confidence. Compared to rivals, it stacked up well with similar horsepower and torque figures. However, the Highlander leaned and lumbered through corners, a trait attributed to its soft, comfortable suspension. The XSE trim added higher-rated springs, retuned shock absorbers, power steering, and a rear stabilizer bar, tightening its suspension but not transforming it into a sports car.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, however, benefitted from an energy boost with a new engine—a 1.5-liter VC-Turbo with three cylinders inline, making 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This was a significant improvement over the previous 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The VC-Turbo concept involved a variable compression ratio technology that adjusted the combustion chamber size mechanically, optimizing power and efficiency as needed.

The Rogue's new engine paired with an updated CVT, offered a more engaging ride than its predecessor. Its wider gear ratios helped the Rogue take off more authoritatively and responded better in passing situations. The Rogue's chassis and suspension delivered a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, complemented by electrical power-assisted steering and a tight turning diameter of 35.4 feet.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander excelled in providing comfort and convenience for its passengers. The front cabin featured shelves ahead of the seats large enough for sizable cell phones, with a handy pass-through for charging cords. Higher trims included a wireless charging pad inside the center console. Second-row passengers enjoyed ample legroom, with seats that could slide forward or backward to optimize space for rear occupants. However, the third-row seats were a tight fit for adults if second-row passengers didn’t compromise on space.

The Highlander’s rear-seat climate control air vents, positioned on the ceiling, were a noteworthy quirk, blowing air straight down on passengers’ heads. In terms of cargo space, the Highlander offered 16 cubic feet behind the third row—suitable for short trips or small errands. Folding down the third row expanded the space to 48.4 cubic feet, and with both second and third rows down, it boasted 84.3 cubic feet.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, with its three generations of refinement, honed its interior storage options effectively. The front cabin provided numerous stowage spots, including bottle holders, cupholders, a center console bin, a tray beneath the console, and multiple cubbies. Rear passengers had similar storage solutions, with USB-A and USB-C ports for device charging. The second-row seat, a 60/40 split reclining bench, added to the versatility.

Cargo-wise, the Rogue offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space behind the second row, depending on the configuration. Folding the second row flat enabled a total of 74.1 cubic feet, making it slightly less spacious than the Highlander but still ample for most needs.

In terms of technology, the 2021 Toyota Highlander equipped lower trims with an 8-inch touchscreen, while the Limited trim offered a 12.3-inch option, standard on the Platinum trim. Navigation was a paid feature but sometimes faltered in locating points of interest. Fortunately, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard across the Highlander lineup. The 12.3-inch screen in the test car was bright, crisp, and responsive, accompanied by a JBL audio system that was adequate but not outstanding.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue carried forward its 2021 technology upgrades, including significant enhancements in screens. Higher trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Navigation utilized Google Maps and Waze, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay on higher trims.

Moreover, the Rogue boasted ProPilot Assist, a hands-on driver-assist technology integrated with the navigation system for predictive speed control. This system could proactively adjust the vehicle's speed based on road conditions, enhancing the driving experience.

Safety was a strong point for the 2021 Toyota Highlander, featuring Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+). This suite included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intersection support, road sign assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-tracing assist, and automatic high beams. The Highlander earned a five-star rating from NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue included the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite across all trims. Standard features encompassed automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. Additional safety features included ten airbags, extended crumple zones, and Nissan’s Intelligent Driver Alertness technology.

ProPilot Assist enhanced these features with adaptive cruise control and steering assist, providing a semi-autonomous driving experience. The 2022 Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with IIHS giving the 2021 model a Top Safety Pick+ rating.