2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting seamlessly into the Volvo lineup with its “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge featured a blanked-off grille, “Recharge” badging, model-specific alloy wheels, a gloss black roof, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with real metal trim and a combination of Nappa leather and Nubuck textile upholstery, creating a coherent and high-quality design.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, redesigned in 2021, continued with a mature look, featuring a V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and LED fog lamps on higher trims. Active grille shutters and underbody covers improved airflow, while the floating roof and bulging liftgate added to its sleek appearance. Inside, the Rogue had a layered dash with contrasting colors and surfaces, an electronic gear selector lever, and ample storage options. The center console was spacious, with a wireless charging pad and a 9-inch infotainment display. The Zero Gravity front seats and roomy second row provided comfort and space for passengers.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 221 lb-ft of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The electric Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring dual electric motors for AWD, producing 402 hp and 486 lb-ft, powered by a 78-kWh battery pack. The Recharge accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, the T5 in 6.1 seconds, and the T4 in 8.1 seconds, with all versions electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality and one-pedal driving capability, and had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured a new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine with 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, an 11% increase in horsepower and 24% more torque than the previous model. The engine's variable compression technology adjusted the combustion chamber size for optimal power and efficiency. The Rogue achieved an EPA-estimated 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The new CVT transmission provided better acceleration and responsiveness. The Rogue's chassis and suspension delivered a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, and the electric power-assisted steering offered good feel and a tight turning diameter of 35.4 feet.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had no difference in passenger or cargo space between the Recharge and gasoline models. However, it had less legroom and headroom compared to competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. The cargo area was also smaller, and the frunk was limited in size. Clever storage solutions included a removable trash bin, a bag hook in the glovebox, and extra-large door bins due to relocated speakers. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped for a phone, with an optional wireless charging pad and a single USB-C port, though second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue offered numerous storage options in the front cabin, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, a tray beneath the console, and dash cubbies. It had USB-A, USB-C, and 12-volt outlets, along with a wireless charging pad. Rear-seat passengers had storage in the doors, seatbacks, and center armrest, with USB-A and USB-C charge-only ports. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench. The Rogue's cargo area ranged from 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system with Google apps, including Google Assistant and Google Maps, while gasoline models retained the previous system. The standard setup included a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge had OTA update capability for software-controlled vehicle functions. It lacked a start button, requiring only the key fob to shift out of park. The Polestar 2's Digital Key feature was expected in a future update, but not yet confirmed for the XC40.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's technology upgrade included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center 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 Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, integrated with the navigation system, provided advanced driver-assist features, adjusting speed based on road conditions. Nissan’s Intelligent Key allowed unlocking of rear doors from the rear handle, enhancing convenience for families.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, and hill-descent control. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. The Recharge model had a safety cage around the battery and a redesigned front crash structure, with a scalable sensor suite for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. It had ten airbags and extended crumple zones for passive safety. ProPilot Assist provided Level 2 advanced driver-assist features, combining steering-assist and adaptive cruise control. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, and the 2021 model received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.