2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2021 Volvo XC60, though no longer purely Swedish, retained its pristine elegance and near-luxury appeal under Geely Holding Group’s ownership. Residing between the compact XC40 and the mid-size XC90 in Volvo's crossover lineup, the XC60 showcased a sophisticated two-box design. It featured short overhangs, an upright grille bearing Volvo’s iron mark logo, and Thor's hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights, undoubtedly the most Swedish design cue.

The craftsmanship extended to paint quality, chrome accents, and large alloy wheels up to 21 inches on top trims. Inside, the XC60 embraced a Scandinavian aesthetic with clean lines, high-quality materials, and a serene cabin environment. Its 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen, an innovation back in 2018, became easier to appreciate and use over time. The interior details, such as elegantly crafted HVAC vents, added a touch of class, making the XC60’s cabin a delightful place to be.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Rogue wore more technical and modern styling, embracing its SUV identity. It sported dark gray plastic cladding along the lower perimeter and bold skid plates, enhancing its rugged appeal. LED lighting elements and a V-Motion grille added to its contemporary look. Optional two-tone paint with a black roof offered a customized touch, elevating Rogue’s visual appeal.

Four trim levels were available, from the base S to the luxurious Platinum, each featuring aluminum wheels up to 19 inches. The interior of the tested Rogue SL impressed with its Almond-colored leather, panoramic glass sunroof, and a brighter, more spacious cabin. High-quality touches like soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped pillars contributed to a refined atmosphere. The top-tier Platinum trim took it up a notch with quilted semi-aniline leather and contrast stitching. However, the nostalgic climate control panel numbers and the presence of an outdated CD player subtly reminded of its technological balance.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 came with a variety of engine options, all centered around a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. T5 models, available with either FWD or AWD, produced 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque using direct gasoline injection and a turbocharger. The T6 models, only available with AWD, boosted the numbers to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque by adding a supercharger. The T8 models, including the test T8 Polestar Engineered, featured a plug-in hybrid setup with an 87-hp electric motor and turbo-supercharged engine combo, pushing combined output to 400 hp (415 hp in Polestar) and 472 lb-ft of torque.

The XC60 T8 PHEV could drive up to 19 miles solely on electric power, offering an engaging hybrid experience with smooth torque vectoring and AWD stability. Fuel efficiency ranged from 22 mpg city/29 mpg highway/25 mpg combined for the T5 FWD to 27 mpg combined for the T8 PHEV, with an impressive 57 MPGe on electric-only mode. Premium gasoline was recommended for all XC60 models.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue, weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, was powered by a single-engine choice, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivered 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Though adequate for daily commuting and light adventures, the naturally-aspirated engine struggled to deliver a spirited performance, especially at higher altitudes or loaded scenarios.

The Rogue’s CVT, designed to mimic traditional automatics with paddle shifters, ensured a smooth drive. Its AWD option, with up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, Snow, and Off-Road driving modes, catered to off-the-beaten-path driving scenarios. Despite the absence of turbocharging, the new architecture with a strut front and multi-link rear suspension, coupled with Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, made the Rogue’s handling predictable and composed. Its newly-designed steering with electric assist brought commendable feedback.

Fuel economy for the tested front-wheel-drive Rogue SL hovered around 27.5 mpg, shy of its EPA rating of 29 mpg combined. The Rogue’s sturdy framework, composed of 35% high-strength steel, contributed to a robust feel.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 was thoughtfully designed for both comfort and practicality. The front seats, highly praised for adjustability, showcased the brand’s expertise in handling extreme winter conditions. The vehicle’s advanced heating system, with heated seats and effective windshield defrosters, ensured comfort in sub-zero temperatures. The cabin boasted clever storage solutions, including compartments in the center console, dashboard, and door panels. Rear passengers enjoyed ample storage and intuitive controls suitable for gloved hands.

With 21.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expandable to 63.6 cubic feet with the seats folded, the XC60 offered impressive storage flexibility. Additionally, it had a towing capacity of up to 3,500 pounds, enhancing its utilitarian appeal.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue focused on passenger comfort through its Zero Gravity seat designs. Enhancements in the seat size and craftsmanship improved overall comfort. Depending on the trim, seats ranged from cloth upholstery in the S trim to premium quilted leather in the Platinum trim. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual or triple-zone climate control added to passenger comfort, though ventilated seats were notably absent.

Rear-seat passengers benefited from increased headroom and legroom, easier entry with doors opening to a 90-degree angle, and integrated LATCH anchors for child safety seats. The versatile rear seats, with available sunshades and climate control, ensured rear passengers’ comfort.

Cargo capacity ranged from 31.6 cubic feet in the S and SV trims to 36.5 cubic feet in SL and Platinum trims, thanks to the Divide-N-Hide cargo management. With rear seats folded, the Rogue’s cargo capacity topped out at 74.1 cubic feet, making it one of the most spacious in its class.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. Familiar to iPad users, the swipe and touch interface comprised segmented quadrants for easy access to audio, navigation, and communications. While user-friendly for tech-savvy individuals, it came with a learning curve that could be frustrating without initial practice.

Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. The Volvo On Call app provided remote functionalities like maintenance reminders and remote start. The Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system in the test model offered exceptional sound quality.

Nissan’s 2021 Rogue offered a robust infotainment package. The base S trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, accompanied by a non-intrusive power/volume knob. Higher trims like SV and SL added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration.

The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim introduced a larger 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, a sophisticated navigation system, and a Bose premium audio system. Platinum trim also included wireless charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display, catering to tech-savvy users.

Volvo’s commitment to safety was evident in the XC60, awarded a Top Safety Pick+ by IIHS and a five-star rating by NHTSA for specific models. The XC60 boasted an array of standard safety features, including LED headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, collision mitigation, and driver alert systems. Volvo’s Pilot Assist, a semi-autonomous driving system integrating adaptive cruise control, further enhanced on-road safety. Notably, the XC60 limited its top speed to 112 mph for safety, with aesthetic gold safety belts in the T8 Polestar Engineered model.

Nissan ensured the 2021 Rogue catered to safety-conscious buyers. Equipped with Safety Shield 360, the Rogue included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. It featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. The ProPilot Assist, standard from SV trim, combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, improving with enhanced radar and camera systems.

The SL Premium Package and Platinum trims featured an upgraded ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology, adjusting speed based on navigation data. Though crash test ratings were pending during the review, the increased use of high-strength steel assured enhanced collision protection.