2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox underwent several styling changes that year. A new grille design, LED headlights, and LED daytime running lights were introduced, alongside subtle tweaks to the rear fascia. The newly bisected headlights featured trim pieces that extended from the grille, creating a sleeker appearance overall. The grille itself was more upright and flanked by large, fake air intakes that gave the Equinox a chunkier look compared to previous models.

Unlike the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4, which attempted to channel a rugged, old-school SUV vibe, the 2022 Equinox embraced its identity as a car-based crossover. With a tall roofline and an elevated front fascia, the Equinox appeared slightly less car-like than the Ford Escape, hitting a happy medium for many buyers. However, the lack of distinctive styling features, such as the Hyundai Tucson's innovative front lighting, left some wanting more.

Inside the cabin, the dashboard configuration stood out with its two petal-like elements, housing a touchscreen and two large air vents at the center. This creative design came together coherently, offering a level of effort not typically seen in commodity crossovers. Materials and fit and finish were satisfactory, given the vehicle's price point. While most trim levels featured cloth seats, perforated leather upholstery was available for those seeking a touch of luxury.

The RS model brought black exterior trim in lieu of the chrome seen on other trims, along with darkened 19-inch wheels, a black interior with red stitching, and a unique shift knob. We appreciated the RS model's exterior trim, which added personality. However, the black interior was too subdued and resembled a taxi's interior more than a stylish crossover.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Rogue retained its grown-up look from the previous year's transformation, losing the slightly cute styling of older models. This year's model carried on with no new exterior changes. Shared design elements with other Nissan models were evident, including the V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights with daytime running lights sitting above the main headlight, and LED fog lamps for the SL and Platinum trims.

Active grille shutters, underbody covers, and an "air curtain" directing airflow around the front of the vehicle to the sides demonstrated Nissan's aerodynamic intentions. The floating roof illusion, created by dark supporting pillars, and a slightly bulging liftgate completed the sleek, matured look of the Rogue.

Inside, the Rogue followed a contemporary layered dash design trend, featuring distinct horizontal layers in contrasting colors and different surfaces in some trim levels. The center console was notably space-efficient, replacing the traditional mechanical linkage with an electronic gear selector lever. This allowed for an open space beneath the console, suitable for various needs. Other features included two large cupholder slots, a wireless charging pad, and multiple charging outlets.

Nissan's Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats added comfort, and the capacious second row offered good legroom for two adults—or three in a pinch. The fit and finish of the Rogue were excellent, and material quality—especially in the Platinum model—was commendable.

For 2022, Chevy streamlined the Equinox's powertrain options to a single offering: a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The Equinox came with a six-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive available as an option.

While the Equinox boasted more torque than many of its competitors, it lagged in horsepower. Comparatively, the Honda CR-V's 1.5-liter turbo-four generated 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, while the Nissan Rogue's turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine delivered 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. Larger naturally aspirated engines in the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 produced 182 horsepower/176 lb-ft and 203 horsepower/184 lb-ft, respectively.

The Equinox's ample torque made it adept at city driving and stop-and-go traffic, with peak power available between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm. However, its lack of horsepower became apparent at higher speeds, where the engine felt coarse and unresponsive, despite managing necessary highway maneuvers. The six-speed automatic transmission's shifts were occasionally rough.

Despite the sporty appeal suggested by the RS trim's aesthetics, the Equinox was not designed for sporty handling. It lacked the engaging drive of the Mazda CX-5 and the solidity and refinement of the Honda CR-V. Nevertheless, the Equinox provided a comfortable ride, even on poorly maintained roads.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue benefited from a new engine in the VC-Turbo family, providing an invigorating boost to its performance. The 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, arranged in three inline cylinders, produced 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This new engine marked an 11 percent increase in horsepower and a 24 percent increase in torque compared to the previous 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine used in the 2021 model.

The variable compression (VC) technology adjusted the engine's compression ratio mechanically, allowing for dynamic performance shifts based on driver demand. This real-time adjustment between lower and higher compression ratios improved both power delivery and efficiency.

Additionally, the Rogue's new CVT featured substantially wider gear ratios than before, enhancing its takeoff capabilities and responsiveness in passing situations. Most drivers would not notice the CVT's often-criticized drone, which was less prominent with this transmission. While no manual transmission option existed, the Rogue provided a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll and precise electric power-assisted steering.

The Rogue's overall driving experience was peppier and more refined, thanks to these mechanical improvements.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox accommodated up to five occupants across two rows. The vehicle offered ample headroom in both rows, but front seat legroom fell short compared to some rivals. Our experience confirmed this, as the lack of legroom and a non-telescoping steering wheel made it challenging to find a comfortable driving position, even with the available power driver's seat.

One of the Equinox’s strengths was its tall seating position, providing a commanding view of the road and making it a popular choice among SUV buyers. The sloping hood offered an unobstructed forward view, although the rear pillars created some blind spots. The relatively small rear window also hindered rear visibility to a degree.

Chevrolet designed the climate control buttons and knobs in a prominent cluster below the touchscreen, which, while appearing somewhat awkward, made the controls easy to access without delving into touchscreen menus. Small displays within the climate control knobs showing current temperature settings were a thoughtful touch.

The Equinox's cargo space was less than stellar for its class, offering 29.9 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 63.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. Although a power liftgate was available, the vehicle lacked features like a sliding second-row seat or cargo-area storage bins found in some competitors, such as the Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in terms of practical interior design and storage options. The front cabin featured numerous storage solutions, including bottle holders in the door, console cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, a tray below the center console, and cubbies in the dash. Multiple outlets were available in the center stack, above the wireless charging pad.

Rear-seat passengers enjoyed additional storage options in the doors, seatbacks, and center armrest. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench, providing flexibility for passengers and cargo.

The Rogue's cargo capacity was notably superior to that of the Equinox, boasting 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up, depending on the configuration. When the second row was folded down, the Rogue offered a generous 74.1 cubic feet of cargo space, accommodating larger loads and making it an ideal choice for those needing substantial storage capacity.

Standard features on the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox included a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The driver's display included a 3.5-inch screen nestled between the analog gauges, while higher trim levels featured an 8-inch touchscreen and a 4.2-inch instrument-cluster screen. Optional upgrades included navigation and a Bose 7-speaker audio system.

Our experience with the 8-inch touchscreen was positive; it was responsive and user-friendly. The Chevy MyLink infotainment system's large, smartphone-like menu icons were intuitive, and the screen graphics were commendable for the vehicle's price range. The inclusion of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a significant advantage over rivals, many of whom still required a physical connection.

Chevrolet equipped the Equinox with multiple USB ports and power outlets, including two USB charging ports in the rear of the center console. However, the center-console slot for phones was too small, which could be inconvenient for some users. While tech-savvy buyers might desire more advanced features or larger screens, the Equinox's infotainment system competently met basic needs without fuss.

In 2022, the Nissan Rogue continued to offer a technology suite introduced with the 2021 model year. The upper trim levels saw significant upgrades, including three prominent screens: a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. The navigation system utilized Google Maps and Waze, accessible via voice commands. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims.

ProPilot Assist, Nissan's hands-on driver-assist technology, was available and offered integration with the navigation system on models equipped with ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link. This advanced system used route information to adjust speed proactively, aiding the driver by anticipating road conditions. This integration represented a step toward semi-autonomous driving, making the driving experience smoother and safer.

Nissan also improved its Intelligent Key system, allowing drivers to unlock front and rear doors from the respective handles on both sides with a simple double-tap on the rear door handle button.