2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design more closely with the 2021 Nissan Armada and Rogue. It featured a snubbed nose with a deep V-motion design, incorporating a new "double V-motion" feature. The Kicks retained the old Nissan logo, unlike the Rogue. Its thinner, longer headlights extended down the face, with the top-tier Kicks SR trim boasting LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights. The rear of the Kicks showcased a new bumper, back door finisher, and LED taillight combination, giving it a proportionate look reminiscent of the Nissan Leaf. However, the trunk release area appeared less premium. New paint options like Electric Blue Metallic and Scarlet Ember Tintcoat were introduced, alongside existing colors. The Kicks continued to offer a two-tone paint job, enhancing its upmarket appearance with a floating roof design. The Kicks SR trim added sporty elements like LED headlights, black heated mirrors, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The interior saw improvements in material quality, drawing inspiration from the 2020 Nissan Sentra, with new seat and door designs and a full center console armrest in mid-range trims.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue maintained its mature styling from the previous year, sharing design elements with the Pathfinder. It featured a V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof design. The Rogue's cabin followed a layered dash design trend, offering a sophisticated look with contrasting colors and surfaces. The center console was notable for its electronic gear selector lever, creating more space. It included large cupholders, a wireless charging pad, and a spacious storage cubby. The 9-inch infotainment display was positioned for easy visibility, and the instrument panel varied from a 7-inch display to a 12.3-inch digital screen in upper trims. The Rogue's Zero Gravity front seats provided comfort, and the second row offered ample legroom. The fit and finish were exemplary, especially in the Platinum model.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks was equipped with a single powertrain option: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with the Nissan Versa, was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. The Kicks' electric power-assisted steering and independent strut stabilizer bar suspension contributed to its nimble handling. Despite being low-powered, the Kicks offered a good power-to-weight ratio for its size. It maintained stability on icy roads, though the CVT could become noisy under heavy acceleration. The Kicks featured standard 16-inch steel wheels on the base model, with 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels available on higher trims. It also included a traction control system, stability control, and hill start assist. The Kicks SR trim added an integrated dynamic-control module with features like active engine brake and intelligent ride control. The Kicks boasted impressive fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 31 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue received a performance boost with its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This engine, part of the VC-Turbo family, offered variable compression for improved power and efficiency. The Rogue's new CVT had wider gear ratios, enhancing acceleration and responsiveness. The chassis and suspension handled the engine's power well, delivering a smooth ride with minimal body roll. The Rogue's electric power-assisted steering provided good feel, and its turning diameter was tight at 35.4 feet. The Rogue's fuel economy improved, achieving 30 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks made efficient use of its compact size, with easily accessible buttons and knobs throughout the cabin. It offered good small-item storage, USB ports, and smartphone storage options. Climate controls were intuitive, and the seat warmers provided quick warmth. The Kicks featured a D-shaped steering wheel, adjustable seats, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. It had best-in-class front seat legroom, though hip room was limited for larger drivers. The rear seats accommodated adults comfortably. The available tonneau cover provided hidden storage in the rear cargo area.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue excelled in interior space and storage options. The front cabin offered numerous storage solutions, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, and a center console bin. USB-A, USB-C, and 12-volt outlets were available, along with a wireless charging pad. Rear-seat passengers had storage options in the doors and seatbacks, along with USB-A and USB-C ports. The Rogue's cargo area ranged from 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a competitive array of technology features. The base model included a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and keyless entry. The Kicks SV added features like Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, and a 7-inch driver information screen. The Kicks SR Premium Package included a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with eight speakers. A surround-view monitor and WiFi hotspot were available, along with NissanConnect services.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue continued its technology upgrade from the previous year. Upper trims featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. Navigation used Google Maps and Waze with voice commands. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay on upper trims. ProPilot Assist, integrated with navigation, offered advanced driver-assist features. Nissan's Intelligent Key allowed for convenient rear door unlocking.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. It had 10 airbags and standard LATCH connections. The 2020 model received good crashworthiness ratings from the IIHS, and the 2021 model was expected to improve with new headlights. The 2020 Kicks received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured Nissan Safety Shield 360 across all trims, with additional safety features like blind spot intervention and traffic sign recognition. ProPilot Assist offered advanced driver-assist capabilities. The Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, and the 2021 model was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.