2022 Acura RDX vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued the aesthetic transformation that began with its redesign a year earlier, evolving into a more mature and sophisticated exterior. Borrowing design cues from the revamped Pathfinder, the Rogue sported a prominent V-motion grille and multi-level LED headlights. The upper SL and Platinum trims featured LED fog lamps, while active grille shutters and underbody covers enhanced airflow. Additional aerodynamic touches like the "air curtain" helped manage airflow around the vehicle. The floating roof design, aided by dark supporting pillars, and the bulging liftgate added to the Rogue's sleek profile.

Inside, the Rogue boasted a layered dashboard with contrasting horizontal layers in varied colors and textures, contributing to an upscale feel. One of the cabin's centerpieces was the center console, equipped with space-efficient electronic gear selectors, a wireless charging pad, and a large storage cubby. The infotainment system featured a 9-inch center display and a 7-inch or a full 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, depending on the trim level. The Zero Gravity bucket-style front seats offered exemplary comfort, accompanied by ample rear legroom that could comfortably accommodate two adults or three passengers in a pinch. Fit and finish were praiseworthy, especially on the Platinum model, where high-quality materials were abundantly used.

The 2022 Acura RDX, on the other hand, underwent subtle styling tweaks influenced by its larger sibling, the MDX. New front and rear bumper designs, updated grille surround, and revised wheel designs were among the changes. Limited-edition models like the PMC Edition featured exclusive Long Beach Blue Pearl paint and Orchid white interiors. The RDX lineup included various trim levels, from the base model to the top-tier PMC Edition, with starting prices ranging from $42,300 to $53,300.

Our test vehicle was the A-Spec Advance package, adorned with Apex Blue Pearl paint and Orchid interior. The cabin exuded a sense of luxury with high-quality material finishes and a significantly quieter environment. The sporty driving position and prominent IDS driving mode knob on the dashboard emphasized its stylistic approach. However, the unconventional interior layout, particularly the True Touchpad Interface (TTI) infotainment system, required a learning curve. The front seats, featuring 12-way power adjustments and available heating and ventilation, were comfortable and supportive. The rear seats, while spacious, lacked the same level of comfort, but overall, the RDX provided an admirable blend of style and functionality.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue made noticeable strides in performance with its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine. This three-cylinder engine produced 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, representing a significant improvement over the previous 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine. The VC-Turbo technology allowed the engine to adjust its compression ratio based on power demands, enhancing both performance and fuel efficiency. The Rogue achieved an EPA-estimated 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined, offering an excellent balance of power and efficiency.

The Rogue's new CVT transmission contributed to its improved performance, delivering a wide range of gear ratios for better acceleration and responsiveness. The chassis and suspension handled the enhanced power smoothly, providing a controlled ride with minimal body roll. The electric power-assisted steering offered good feedback, and a tight turning diameter added to its maneuverability.

The 2022 Acura RDX featured a robust turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. This turbo-four engine delivered quick acceleration, enhancing the RDX's driving enjoyment. However, maintaining the EPA-rated 23 mpg was challenging with a heavy foot, as we averaged 20.6 mpg during our evaluation.

A standard 10-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters ensured smooth power delivery. The RDX's SH-AWD system, available on higher trims, provided excellent traction and torque vectoring for enhanced cornering performance. The ISS re-tuned adaptive-damping suspension offered a smoother ride in Comfort mode and greater responsiveness in Sport mode. The RDX's driving dynamics stood out, with its comfortable seats and a torquey engine providing an engaging driving experience. However, it fell short of true performance thrills found in some German rivals.

Interior Space and Cargo Capacity

The 2022 Nissan Rogue showcased intelligent design with numerous storage solutions throughout the cabin. The front seating area featured door bottle holders, console cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, and additional cubbies in the dashboard. USB-A, USB-C, and 12-volt outlets were conveniently located, along with a wireless charging pad. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed storage options in the doors, seatbacks, and center armrest, accompanied by USB-A and USB-C charge-only ports. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench.

Cargo capacity in the Rogue was impressive, offering 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of storage with the rear seats up and a generous 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat, making it well-suited for various cargo needs.

The 2022 Acura RDX, despite being a compact SUV, offered ample interior space for four adults and their luggage. The standard panoramic sunroof added to the cabin's airy feel. However, the unconventional control layout, especially the TTI infotainment system, required some acclimation. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with available ventilation, while the thick-rimmed, flat-bottom steering wheel felt good in hand.

The rear seats, though spacious, were less comfortable due to their flat design, and tall adults might find them lacking in thigh support. Cargo space in the RDX was slightly less than the Rogue, offering 29.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up and 58.9 cubic feet with them folded flat. Nonetheless, the RDX provided practical storage with hidden compartments beneath the load floor.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue benefited from a technology upgrade during its recent makeover. Upper trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Navigation-equipped models utilized Google Maps and Waze with voice commands, and wireless Apple CarPlay was available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, Nissan’s hands-on driver-assist technology, offered advanced features like adaptive cruise control and steering assist. Enhanced ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link integrated with the navigation system, enabling predictive speed control based on road conditions.

The Rogue's Intelligent Key allowed for easy access, enabling unlocking of both front and rear doors with a simple tap. Overall, the technology suite in the Rogue was highly intuitive, enhancing convenience and safety.

The 2022 Acura RDX's TTI infotainment system utilized a 10.2-inch display and a touchpad controller, creating a direct one-to-one correspondence between touchpad and screen. While initially complex, users could acclimate over time. The RDX also offered Amazon Alexa Built-in for natural voice recognition, reducing the need to use the touchpad interface. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and multiple sound system options, including the impressive ELS Studio 3D surround-sound audio system with 16 speakers on higher trims. Additional features like satellite radio and AcuraLink connected services further enhanced the RDX's tech offerings.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue came equipped with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite on all trim levels. This suite included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Rogue also featured ten supplemental airbags and extended crumple zones for passive safety. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, added advanced driver-assist capabilities, enhancing safety and convenience. The Rogue earned a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the previous model year.

Acura made several safety enhancements to the 2022 RDX, including structural upgrades for improved side-impact safety and a rear seatbelt reminder system. The standard AcuraWatch suite included features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added front and rear parking sensors with low-speed automatic braking. The RDX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with excellent side-impact and frontal-impact ratings.