2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport offered a plethora of trims, providing potential buyers with choices between S, SE, SEL, and SEL Premium specifications. Further customization was possible with the Technology and R-Line packages. The styling of the Atlas Cross Sport aimed to be its selling point, with a shorter 5.2 inches length and a 2.2 inches lower height compared to the larger Atlas, presenting a coupe-like SUV with a steeply angled rear liftgate. The purpose of choosing the larger Atlas over the Cross Sport was strictly based on the need for greater cargo space and a third-row seat.

Tested in SEL Premium trim with the R-Line package, the Atlas Cross Sport looked exceptional. Its machined-finish 21-inch wheels were striking, and, paired with the optional Pure Gray paint, the vehicle exuded a custom look. The interiors were visually appealing with a unique Burgundy and Titan Black two-tone color scheme. However, the presence of hard plastic was noticeable upon closer inspection, albeit the design, details, and materials were commendable for the segment. Ambient lighting was a charming addition.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue brought a handsome new styling with a technical appearance, resembling an SUV more than a car. The Rogue's dark gray plastic cladding and bold, simulated skid plates projected an image of ruggedness, especially on the SUV's back bumper. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proportionality gave the Rogue a modern aesthetic. All trim levels featured aluminum wheels up to 19 inches in diameter, and an optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment added a custom touch.

Available in four versions, the Rogue included the entry-point Rogue S, the popular Rogue SV, the slightly luxurious Rogue SL, and the upscale Rogue Platinum with semi-aniline quilted leather and other high-end amenities. The Rogue SL that we tested featured an Almond color leather interior and a standard panoramic glass sunroof, which contributed to a light and bright cabin vibe. Abundant soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars enhanced the quality feel. Additionally, the control arrangement was clean and logical, and the Rogue's Platinum trim offered a luxurious experience with its quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport came standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, delivering 235 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque starting at 1,600 rpm when using premium gas. This engine, related to the one in the Golf GTI, struggled with the Atlas Cross Sport’s 4,103-pound curb weight. Hence, many users preferred the 3.6-liter V6 engine option, offering 276 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 266 pound-feet of torque at 2,750 rpm. This engine provided sprightly performance in daily driving scenarios and came with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

An 8-speed automatic transmission with a sport mode was standard, with front-wheel drive being the default. However, the 4Motion all-wheel-drive (AWD) system with Active Control traction settings was available. This version of 4Motion could send up to half the engine’s power to the rear wheels when necessary, enhancing stability. Despite adequate power and refinement, the V6 could benefit from an adaptive damping suspension to improve handling. The SUV had an estimated combined fuel efficiency of 19 mpg, although tests showed an averaged 18.7 mpg.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Rogue's performance fell short due to its underwhelming power. Equipped with a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, it produced 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. Though adequate for daily use, the SUV’s nearly 3,500-pound weight affected its performance. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a good job of leveraging the available torque, providing a driving experience similar to a traditional automatic.

Despite its lack of power, the Rogue was designed for adventure, especially with available all-wheel drive (AWD), up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes. Nissan hinted at the future possibility of a turbocharged engine, likely similar to the one in the Altima sedan and Infiniti QX50, but nothing was confirmed. The current engine provided a combined fuel efficiency of 27.5 mpg, slightly below the expected 29 mpg.

The Rogue featured a new, more robust architecture with 35% high-strength steel, contributing to improved ride and handling. Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control systems enhanced the suspension capabilities, and new for 2021, Vehicle Motion Control made driving more enjoyable by predicting ways to optimize driver inputs. The test vehicle, with 19-inch wheels and 235/55 all-season tires, offered a predictable, smooth, and athletic ride. Significant improvements in steering feel were noted, thanks to relocated electric assist from the steering column to the steering rack and a quickened ratio.

The interior space of the 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was impressive, despite being slightly smaller than the larger Atlas. The spacious cabin included a wide dashboard, a heated steering wheel, and large heated and ventilated leather seats with multiple power adjustments for both front occupants. The seats were notably comfortable for long drives.

In the second row, the rear seats comfortably accommodated three kids or smaller adults and offered expansive legroom and headroom for two grown-ups. Rear air-conditioning vents and heated seat cushions were standard. However, the dual-zone automatic climate control system struggled to maintain cool temperatures on sunny days, particularly when the auto stop/start system engaged.

Storage solutions were plentiful with a large center console, door panel bins, a glove box, and a tray forward of the shifter. Cargo space was generous with 40.3 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat and 77.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down, despite the roofline limiting cargo capacity somewhat.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue aimed for maximum comfort with its Zero Gravity seat designs. The seats, wrapped in various materials depending on the trim, were notably comfortable. The Rogue also offered Quick Comfort heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. However, ventilated seats were not an option, which could be a drawback for some.

Air conditioning was standard, with dual-zone automatic climate control starting at the SV trim, and a triple-zone system available in the SL and Platinum trims. Rear air conditioning vents and rear side window sunshades were standard. The rear seat offered ample headroom and legroom, with rear doors now opening to a nearly 90-degree angle for easier passenger loading. The Rogue could accommodate up to three child safety seats and included a rear-seat reminder system.

Enhanced with aerodynamic improvements and acoustic materials, the Rogue offered a quieter ride. Storage was optimized with a new electronic shifter freeing up space, large door-panel pockets, and a split butterfly-style center armrest. Cargo space in the Rogue was slightly less than the previous model, providing 31.6 cubic feet in the S and SV trims, and 36.5 cubic feet with the SL and Platinum trims’ Divide-N-Hide cargo management system. Maximum cargo space was 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, which was substantial for its class but still smaller than the Atlas Cross Sport’s capacity.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was equipped with robust infotainment systems. The top-trim test vehicle featured an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen display with virtual menu buttons and stereo knobs, providing a clean and simple aesthetic. The vehicle accommodated two Bluetooth device pairings, USB-C ports, and comprehensive Car-Net connected services, including WiFi, remote engine start, car finder, automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and safe teen driving features.

The user experience was generally positive, although the lack of a natural voice recognition system meant relying on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for voice commands. The 12-speaker Fender premium sound system delivered impressive audio quality.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered competitive technology features. The base S trim included an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A six-month free trial to Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant was also included. The display featured knobs for power/volume and station tuning, while shortcut buttons provided easy function access.

Higher trims (SV, SL) added NissanConnect Services with a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration. These services included remote engine starting, automatic collision notification, vehicle speed and boundary alerts, and a car finder function. The SL Premium Package and Rogue Platinum upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen display with door-to-door navigation, real-time traffic, wireless Apple CarPlay, an upgraded voice recognition system, and a Bose premium audio system. The Platinum trim further included wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. The infotainment system performed well, though the knobs and buttons could be more user-friendly.

The 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport was well-equipped with safety features, including essential advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) on the base trim and a standard automatic post-collision braking system. The SEL Premium R-Line test vehicle boasted an extensive array of ADAS, such as road-sign recognition, Traffic Jam Assist, lane assistance, and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic emergency braking. Though crash-test results were not available, the larger Atlas had a strong safety track record.

Safety was a priority for the 2021 Nissan Rogue. Every Rogue included a comprehensive suite of ADAS under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella, comprising automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. Additionally, the Rogue had ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. Platinum trim added a center airbag between the front seats for further protection.

Adaptive cruise control with ProPilot Assist was standard from the SV trim, featuring improved radar and camera units for better accuracy and smoothness. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trims offered an upgraded ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology, using navigation map data and GPS coordinates for enhanced speed adjustments. This system demonstrated improved accuracy and smoothness over the previous generation but occasionally offered issues with certain driving conditions. No official crash-test ratings were available at the time of review, but the Rogue's use of high-strength steel and safety engineering should contribute to a strong safety performance.