2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Hyundai Palisade

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade's Calligraphy trim distinguished itself with a unique grille pattern and revised exterior lighting, including puddle lamps and lower body trim. It featured exclusive 20-inch wheels and enhanced interior detailing with a simulated suede headliner, offering an upscale feel. Earlier models already had some of these features in the Limited trim, but this year the Limited resembled the SEL version with the Convenience or Premium option packages. The introduction of standard LED headlights across the Palisade lineup marked another change.

Our Calligraphy trim test vehicle appeared more luxurious than other Palisades, catching the eye of many, although opinions on its unconventional styling were divided. My wife loved its design, while I found myself preferring the Palisade's platform-mate, the Kia Telluride. Nonetheless, the Calligraphy looked and felt like a more expensive vehicle both outside and inside. The Beige over Navy Blue color scheme and the quilted Nappa leather seats with suede headliner made the cabin exceedingly luxurious, making the price tag seem like a bargain.

On the other side, the 2022 Nissan Rogue presented a grown-up look after its transformative redesign the previous year. The Rogue adopted several styling elements from other Nissan models, such as the V-motion grille, tiered LED headlights, and a floating roof illusion aided by dark support pillars. High trim levels featured LED fog lamps, and it sported active grille shutters and an “air curtain” to enhance aerodynamics.

Inside, the Rogue had a modern, layered dash design with contrasting colors in some trims, creating a sophisticated appearance. The center console was a standout feature, incorporating an electronic gear selector that saved space, allowing for ample storage options below the console. The 9-inch center infotainment display and varying instrument panel configurations offered convenience and modernity. The Zero Gravity front seats were very comfortable, and the roomy second-row provided good legroom for two adults or three in a pinch. The Rogue's fit and finish, particularly in the top Platinum model, received high praise for its quality materials and build.

The 2021 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a robust 3.8-liter V6 engine that delivered 291 horsepower, providing a quiet and powerful driving experience. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the Palisade offered options for front-wheel drive or an all-wheel-drive system equipped with additional driving modes like Snow mode for improved traction. The EPA estimated a combined fuel economy of 21 mpg for the AWD model, which our test vehicle matched.

The Palisade's suspension tuning provided excellent body-motion control, making it informative about road conditions while eliminating excessive body wallow. Although not necessarily fun to drive aggressively, it performed predictably and competently, ensuring a smooth and confident driving experience. It maintained comfort during urban, suburban, and highway travel, making long drives effortless, especially with the advanced Highway Drive Assist technology. The Palisade boasted a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds with a new seven-pin trailer connection for added convenience.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, meanwhile, improved significantly with a new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, surpassing the previous model’s power and torque figures. This three-cylinder engine optimizes power and efficiency by varying its compression ratio mechanically, making the driving experience both responsive and fuel-efficient. The EPA rated the Rogue at 30 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined.

The Rogue's updated CVT transmission featured a wider range of gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. The chassis and suspension managed the new engine's liveliness well, providing a controlled and smooth ride with minimal body roll. The electric power steering added precision, and the Rogue’s tight turning diameter made it surprisingly nimble.

Inside the 2021 Hyundai Palisade, space and accessibility were top-notch. The SUV offered eight-way power-adjustable front seats, heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs, and a accommodating third-row seat. Storage was well-thought-out, with abundant space in the center console and door panels, thanks to electronic transmission controls.

The Palisade offered 18 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, which expanded to 45.8 cubic feet when folded, and an impressive 86.4 cubic feet with the second row down. Its hands-free Smart Liftgate added convenience, albeit with a setting to deactivate if needed.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in clever storage solutions throughout the cabin. The front cabin featured bottle holders in the doors, cupholders in the console, multiple charging ports, and an under-console tray. Rear passengers enjoyed storage in door compartments, seatbacks, and the center armrest, alongside USB charging ports.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Rogue provided 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 74.1 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. These figures showcased the Rogue's ability to accommodate various cargo needs, making it a versatile choice for families and commuters alike.

Hyundai's 2021 Palisade offered two infotainment system options: an 8-inch and a 10.25-inch touchscreen. While both could pair two smartphones via Bluetooth, only the 8-inch system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The top-tier Calligraphy trim came fully loaded with navigation, Blue Link connected services, and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Additional features included wireless charging, a Driver Talk intercom system, Quiet Mode, and an available head-up display (HUD) displaying critical information on the windshield.

For the 2022 Nissan Rogue, the 2021 technology overhaul continued to shine. High trims offered a new 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch HUD. The infotainment system included Apple CarPlay (with wireless support on higher trims) and Android Auto, and utilized Google Maps and Waze for navigation with voice commands.

The standout ProPilot Assist system with Navi-Link enhanced driver-assist features by using navigation data to adjust speed for upcoming curves or freeway exits. Intelligent Key access had been improved, allowing rear door unlocking from a rear door button.

Safety was a strong suit for the 2021 Hyundai Palisade. It came with a suite of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, multiple lane-keeping systems, and a rear occupant alert system. Higher trims added active blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings, Safe Exit Assist, and the comprehensive Highway Drive Assist. Both the IIHS and NHTSA awarded the Palisade with top safety ratings.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 system, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. With ten airbags and extensive crumple zones, it also offered ProPilot Assist and its advanced control features for a safer and more autonomous driving experience. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS for the 2021 model.