2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Volvo XC90

Volvo's 2021 XC90 marked a significant shift in the automaker's design language. Historically known for its conservative styling, Volvo managed to inject a sense of character into the XC90 while retaining its recognizable elements. Unlike Lexus, which opted for a radical style overhaul, Volvo kept its traditional boxy profile and rectangular grille. The details made all the difference: softer lines, additional chrome in place of unpainted plastic, and distinctive LED headlights featuring the “Thor’s Hammer” daytime running lights. The Inscription trim level, with its extra chrome trim and optional 21-inch alloy wheels, stood out as the flashiest of the XC90 lineup. The mid-tier R-Design delivered a sportier aesthetic, featuring new gloss-black grille surround for 2021, while the base Momentum trim kept it simple with 19-inch wheels, revamped for this model year.

The 2021 XC90's interior epitomized “Swedish minimalism." The materials were of high quality and arranged thoughtfully. The matte-finish wood trim offered a natural look compared to the heavily lacquered pieces in most luxury vehicles. Unique touches included a wool upholstery option and an Orrefors crystal shifter, which although luxurious, felt somewhat out of place in the otherwise restrained cabin.

On the other hand, the 2021 Nissan Rogue sported a handsome new design that accentuated its SUV nature, complete with dark gray plastic cladding along the lower perimeter and bold, simulated skid plates. LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning lent a thoroughly modern touch. Optional two-tone paint with a black roof gave the Rogue a custom feel. Trim levels ranged from the budget-friendly Rogue S to the luxurious Rogue Platinum, the latter of which featured semi-aniline quilted leather and numerous upscale amenities.

The test Rogue SL displayed a light and airy Almond-colored leather interior, complete with a panoramic glass sunroof that heightened the sense of space. Soft-touch surfaces and simulated wood trim in the cabin enhanced its quality. Even the arrangement of controls was clean and logical. The Platinum trim stepped up the luxury with quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting. However, some details, like the dated look of the climate control panel numbers, and the inclusion of a CD player in a modern infotainment system, left room for modernization.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 boasted three different powertrain options, all anchored by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The T5 variant, with its turbocharged engine, produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 added a supercharger, increasing output to 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The T8 Twin Engine, or Recharge plug-in hybrid, paired the T6 engine with electric assistance, resulting in a combined 400 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. While the T5 came standard with FWD and offered AWD as an option, AWD was standard on the T6 and T8.

Despite the T8's formidable horsepower, the small engine struggled somewhat, especially when relying solely on electric power. While offering three drive modes—Pure, Hybrid, and Power—the Pure all-electric mode proved practical only at low speeds and with gentle acceleration. Despite these limitations, the XC90 excelled in luxury, delivering a smooth ride courtesy of its optional air suspension system. The XC90's towing capacity was respectable at 5,000 pounds (4,000 pounds for the FWD T5), though it fell short compared to competitors like the Lincoln Aviator.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue came with a single engine option: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for daily driving, the engine struggled with the SUV's nearly 3,500-pound weight. The CVT managed the available torque well and mimicked the feel of a traditional automatic, even featuring paddle shifters for manual control. Despite these efforts, the Rogue felt underpowered, especially when driving at higher altitudes or with a full load of passengers and cargo.

Nissan did hint that a more powerful, turbocharged version might be forthcoming. Meanwhile, the Rogue offered driving modes such as Sport to enhance responsiveness and Eco for better fuel efficiency. The tested Rogue SL with FWD managed an average of 27.5 mpg, falling slightly short of its EPA rating. The CVT's simulated gear shifts provided a more traditional driving experience, and Nissan's robust suspension setup, enhanced by systems like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, contributed to a smooth and stable ride.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured a three-row setup available in six-seat or seven-seat configurations. Despite average headroom and legroom for the segment, the third-row space was cramped for adults, and the seats in both the second and third rows felt hard and lacked support. The power moonroof brightened the interior, offering a sense of spaciousness. Standard four-zone climate control and an optional advanced filtration system added to passenger comfort. The front seats in the Inscription model were 10-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated, featuring backrest massage. However, the absence of a power-adjustable steering wheel and limited storage space detracted from convenience. Cargo capacity for the T8 Recharge measured 11.2 cubic feet with all seats in place, expanding to 34.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded and 64.1 cubic feet with both second and third rows folded, placing it near the bottom of the segment.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue improved on its predecessor with redesigned Zero Gravity seats, now larger and more supportive. The base S trim featured cloth upholstery and manual height adjustment for the driver's seat, while higher trims added power adjustment options and upgraded to leatherette or genuine leather. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats were available as one moved up the trim levels. Surprisingly, ventilated seats were not offered. The SV, SL, and Platinum trims featured progressively more advanced climate control systems, culminating in a triple-zone setup.

In the rear, headroom and legroom were generous, and the nearly 90-degree opening rear doors facilitated easier access, even accommodating up to three child safety seats with new center LATCH anchors. Noise-reduction efforts, like thicker glass and additional insulation, resulted in a quieter cabin. The Rogue also offered cleverly designed storage spaces, including a tray below the center console, large door pockets, and a split-opening center armrest.

The Rogue's cargo capacity varied slightly between trims: 31.6 cubic feet in the S and SV trims, and up to 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum trims with the Divide-N-Hide cargo management system. The maximum volume of 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded was generous for the compact crossover segment and surpassed the XC90’s capacity.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, which prioritized simplicity and ease of use. Standard features included a 9-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and a WiFi hotspot. USB ports—two front USB-A and two rear USB-C—ensured connectivity for all passengers. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium audio system and a head-up display were available options. The portrait-oriented touchscreen allowed for easy swiping across menus, compensating for the minimal analog controls. However, some menu texts were difficult to read, and the wireless charging pad in the center console wasn’t compatible with most phones.

Nissan’s 2021 Rogue presented a competitive infotainment package starting with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system included power/volume and tuning knobs, though their design could make them challenging to use. Higher trims added a 9-inch touchscreen, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, upgraded voice recognition, and a Bose premium audio system. The SL and Platinum trims featured a hands-free power rear liftgate, and the Platinum added wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 stood out with its impressive safety ratings. It received the IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” rating for non-hybrid models and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, driver-attention monitor, traffic-sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, and Volvo’s esteemed Pilot Assist driver aid. Pilot Assist combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering, providing smooth and quick reactions to other vehicles. However, it struggled with even gentle highway curves.

Nissan equipped every 2021 Rogue with its Safety Shield 360 suite, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue also featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, improved ProPilot Assist with lane-centering, and a surround-view camera system. The SV and Platinum trims included upgraded ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, which enhanced the driving experience by using navigation data to adjust speed. The structural improvements in the 2021 Rogue aimed to better absorb and deflect crash energy, boding well for future safety ratings.