2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander aimed to stand out with a design many found bold and striking. The automaker’s “Dynamic Shield” grille and lighting concept gave the Outlander a distinctive front end. However, the overall design was balanced and appealing, extending from the front wheels to the rear bumper. Mitsubishi offered the Outlander in several trim levels: ES, SE, SE Launch Edition, SEL, and SEL Launch Edition. All trims either came with or had optional 20-inch wheels.

The tested Outlander SEL trim featured AWD and was enhanced with White Diamond paint and the Touring option package. Inside, the Touring Package adorned the interior with premium semi-aniline leather in black and Saddle Tan, complete with quilting and contrast stitching. The vehicle also had simulated leather door panel inserts, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display (HUD), a premium sound system, and rear-window sunshades. A panoramic glass sunroof added to the upscale ambiance.

Mitsubishi maintained a minimalist interior design in the Outlander, utilizing authentic aluminum accents and gloss black trim. Although some interior plastics reflected the Outlander's place in the SUV hierarchy, Mitsubishi avoided using overly cheap materials.

Conversely, the 2022 Nissan Rogue had been evolving since its debut in 2007. By 2022, it featured a more mature and refined look following its recent redesign. The Rogue adopted Nissan’s V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and active grille shutters enhancing airflow. The SL and Platinum trims came with LED fog lamps, and the floating roof design contributed to its sleek appearance.

Inside, the Rogue showcased a layered dashboard design with contrasting materials and surfaces in different trims. The center console stood out with an electronic gear selector lever, freeing up space beneath the console for extra storage. The 9-inch infotainment display sat proudly above the dash, positioned for easy driver access. The Rogue's fit and finish were exemplary, especially in the Platinum trim, using high-quality materials. Its Zero Gravity front seats and roomy second row provided a comfortable experience for all occupants.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. A CVT transmitted power to the front wheels, though AWD was available via Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) system.

However, the S-AWC’s brake-induced torque-vectoring system lacked the mechanical prowess expected. Paddle shifters provided manual control over the CVT’s ratios but did not enhance driving satisfaction. The Outlander offered several driving modes: Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud. While Eco mode felt sluggish, Tarmac mode kept engine revs high without improving driving pleasure.

At lower speeds, the Outlander’s engine and CVT seemed more responsive, suiting urban and suburban environments. However, accelerating onto highways or attempting quick passes felt underpowered. The SUV’s steering was vague on-center and sticky off-center, exacerbated by the steering assistance technology unless Mi-Pilot Assist was engaged. The firm suspension managed speed bumps and rural roads well but felt too brittle on less-than-perfect roads. The Outlander achieved 24.9 mpg on the test route, slightly below the EPA’s 26 mpg rating for AWD models.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, with its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, delivered 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque—an 11 percent increase in horsepower and 24 percent increase in torque over the 2021 model. The Variable Compression technology allowed the engine to adapt dynamically for power or efficiency needs.

The new CVT offered a wider range of gear ratios, giving the Rogue more authority off the line and better response in passing situations. Despite the CVT’s typical drone, Nissan mitigated it effectively. The Rogue's chassis and suspension handled the newfound power well, ensuring a smooth ride with minimal body roll. The electric power-assisted steering provided good feedback, and the SUV boasted a 35.4-foot turning diameter.

EPA estimates pegged the Rogue at 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined, marking a notable improvement over the previous model.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander's interior excelled in form and function with roomy, comfortable front seats featuring eight-way power adjustment and heating. The Outlander’s clean design and intuitive controls, especially the digital instrumentation and HUD, impressed. However, Mitsubishi didn’t fully utilize the center console's potential, resulting in less storage than some competitors.

The generous rear seat provided ample room for taller adults, complete with heating and sliding functionality for adjustable legroom. A third-row seat was available but was only suitable for children due to the limited head and leg space. Cargo capacity was modest with the third row up, offering 11.7 cubic feet, expanding to 33.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and a maximum of 78.3 cubic feet with the second row down (79.7 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof).

Nissan’s 2022 Rogue was lauded for its storage solutions, with numerous compartments in the front cabin, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, and more. Rear-seat passengers also had access to storage options and USB ports.

The Rogue’s cargo capacity ranged from 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet, depending on the configuration, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded.

Three standout tech features marked the Outlander SEL with the Touring Package. The 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display was a surprising and delightful addition. The HUD was large and showed detailed information, remaining visible even with polarized sunglasses. The 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay, though Android Auto required a wire, and a two-year Mitsubishi Connect Safeguard and Remote service subscription was included. Wireless smartphone charging and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system rounded out the tech offerings. However, the voice-recognition technology often struggled with understanding commands while driving.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue retained the tech upgrades from its 2021 refresh. Upper trims boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch HUD. Navigation-equipped Rogues used Google Maps and Waze with voice commands, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay on higher trims.

ProPilot Assist, Nissan’s hands-on driver-assist tech, integrated with navigation on models featuring ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link, allowing for predictive speed control. The Intelligent Key allowed for easy unlocking of both front and rear doors, enhancing convenience.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured the Mi-Pilot Assist driver-assist system, akin to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist. It delivered smooth and accurate performance. However, steering assistance and lane-departure systems were more intrusive outside Mi-Pilot Assist activation. Common driver-assist technologies included forward collision avoidance, safe reversing, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. Crash-test results were pending at the time of review.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue came standard with the Nissan Safety Shield 360, offering features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Rogue had ten airbags and extended crumple zones for passive safety. ProPilot Assist advanced these features to a Level 2 system, managing acceleration, braking, and steering in various driving scenarios. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, and the 2021 model had earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.