2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Lexus NX

The 2021 Nissan Rogue presented itself with a handsome new design featuring a more technical appearance, making it look more like a rugged SUV rather than a car. The vehicle was dressed in dark gray plastic cladding that framed its lower perimeter, accompanied by bold, simulated skid plates and lower door protection that slightly exaggerated its ruggedness, especially noticeable on the rear bumper.

The Rogue's aesthetic was modernized with clean LED lighting elements, a signature V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned body edges. All trim levels were equipped with aluminum wheels, ranging up to 19 inches in diameter. An optional two-tone paint scheme, featuring a black roof treatment, added a custom look to the mix.

Nissan offered four different trims: the entry-level Rogue S at $25,650, the popular Rogue SV at $27,340, the Rogue SL at $32,000 which added a touch of luxury, and the top-tier Rogue Platinum at $35,430 that boasted semi-aniline quilted leather and other high-end features. Our test model, an SL trim, totaled $35,195 with all additional packages and destination charges included.

The interior of the 2021 Rogue SL tester felt spacious and light, particularly with the Almond leather and a panoramic glass sunroof. Soft-touch materials, attractive simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars inside the cabin gave it a premium feel. Nissan's excellent design of controls added to the cabin's functional elegance. The Platinum trim upped the ante with quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting for a true touch of luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX carried the brand's familial design traits over to its new model. The sculpted exterior, sharp lines, and power-folding outside mirrors gave it a sharp and sporty demeanor. While it shared the same dimensions as the Toyota RAV4, the Lexus NX distinctly matched its larger and smaller siblings—the Lexus RX and UX respectively.

The NX F Sport trim introduced a host of visual upgrades: a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, and chrome-trimmed bumpers. Exclusive to this variant were quilted NuLuxe sport seats, which provided a luxurious feel while featuring unique color schemes like Circuit Red, Black, and an Arctic White/Black combination.

The fit and finish of the NX were impeccable, representing what Lexus does best. However, the gauge cluster's design—with sculpted metal-faced four dials—looked somewhat dated compared to more modern digital displays in similar vehicles, including the 2021 Nissan Rogue. The F Sport’s G-Force meter also felt more like a novelty in this suburban-focused vehicle.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, left much to be desired in terms of power. As tested, the Rogue SL weighed nearly 3,500 pounds, making the powertrain adequate for daily driving but lackluster for any spirited driving endeavors. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a decent job, with calibrated ratios giving the feeling of a traditional automatic transmission. For drivers craving more power, the hope of a future turbocharged engine was suggested but not confirmed by Nissan representatives.

On AWD models, features like Snow and Off-Road driving modes and up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance made the Rogue somewhat adept at venturing off paved roads. The Rogue’s fuel economy was respectable but not stellar; our tested SL model with front-wheel drive (FWD) achieved 27.5 mpg, slightly less than the EPA’s official rating of 29 mpg combined.

In terms of ride and handling, the Nissan Rogue excelled. The use of high-strength steel improved its robustness. The SUV's suspension, combined with technologically advanced systems like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, provided a smooth and predictable driving experience. Notably, the redesigned steering offered improved feedback and precision.

The 2021 Lexus NX 300 and 300 F Sport models came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The 0-60 mph sprint took around seven seconds, an acceptable figure for its class. However, the six-speed automatic transmission felt outdated compared to rivals using more advanced multi-speed units.

All NX models provided a relatively serene driving experience though engine noise—both real and simulated—could intrude under hard acceleration. Active Sound Control on F Sport versions added artificial engine sounds, which some purists dismissed as a gimmick.

The NX’s fuel economy figures stood at an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined for FWD models. AWD models had the same city and highway estimates but dipped to 24 mpg combined. Despite not topping the fuel efficiency charts, the NX maintained acceptable figures within its segment.

Steering and handling in the NX leaned heavily on long-established Lexus hallmarks of a smooth and comfortable ride. The adaptive suspension system, borrowed from the LC 500 coupe, performed admirably by making quick compression and damping adjustments. Though agile, the SUV’s steering was numb, providing little feedback.

Standard drive modes—Eco, Normal, and Sport—allowed customization of the throttle response and steering feel. Additionally, the NX had a respectable top speed of 124 mph and a towing capacity of up to 2,000 pounds, attributing some practicality to its luxury leaning.

Volume and space often determine an SUV's suitability for families and active lifestyles, and here the 2021 Nissan Rogue delivered strongly. Nissan’s Zero Gravity seat designs found in the Rogue aimed to replicate a neutral spine position, enhancing comfort during long drives. The earlier versions of Rogue featured less supportive seats, but the upgraded Zero Gravity seats in the 2021 model made a significant difference. Depending on the trim, these seats were wrapped in cloth, leatherette, or premium leather, and offered heated options except for ventilated seats, an overlooking noted given Nissan's Nashville headquarters.

The Rogue came equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control on the SV trim and a triple-zone system in higher trims, alongside standard rear air conditioning vents to ensure rear passengers were comfortably accommodated. The nearly 90-degree opening rear doors allowed for easier entry and exit, while the generous rear seat headroom and legroom made long journeys enjoyable for rear passengers. Nissan ensured the Rogue offered practicality with a rear-seat reminder system to prevent leaving kids or pets behind accidentally.

Cargo space in the Rogue was maximized with smart storage solutions. The standard cargo area offered 31.6 cubic feet behind the seats, expandable to 36.5 cubic feet in higher trims with the Divide-N-Hide system. With seats down, the storage ballooned to 74.1 cubic feet, making it one of the most spacious in its class. Electronic shifters freed up storage under the center console, enhancing usability.

The 2021 Lexus NX, though stylish and luxurious, fell short in terms of cargo capacity compared to the Rogue. The NX’s upscale interior was impeccably designed and offered heated and ventilated seats. The second-row seats comfortably fitted two adults. However, the total storages behind the rear seats were only 17.7 cubic feet, significantly less than the Rogue. With the rear seats folded flat, the cargo space maxed out at 54.6 cubic feet, which was among the smallest capacities in the segment.

Despite its lackluster cargo space, the NX excelled in noise isolation with minimal road and wind noise permeating the cabin. The availability of power-folding rear seats and a hands-free power liftgate added convenience to the NX’s luxury features.

When it came to technology, the 2021 Nissan Rogue provided ample advanced features across its trims. Starting with the base S trim, the Rogue included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. These features were bolstered by practical knobs for volume and tuning, although their design could use improvement.

Stepping up to the SV or SL trims added a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration through NissanConnect Services. The upgraded infotainment system for SL Premium and Platinum trims added a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, navigation, voice recognition, and a premium Bose audio system. The Platinum trim further expanded the tech suite with wireless charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

In comparison, the Lexus NX faced criticism for its clunky and less intuitive infotainment system, even though it came with a standard 8-inch screen. A larger 10.3-inch screen was available through the Navigation package. Standard features included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth, a USB port, HD Radio, and a WiFi hotspot.

The Lexus Navigation package, in addition to upgrading the screen, included advanced predictive traffic information, HomeLink, and a concierge service via Lexus Enform Destination Assist. The package also added two additional speakers to the standard eight-speaker audio system, while a Mark Levinson 14-speaker system was available on higher trims.

The NX’s infotainment touchpad was a notable point of contention, making the system less user-friendly. However, the seamless integration with the Lexus Enform Remote app allowed users to control many functions of the NX remotely, adding convenience.

Safety was front and center for both the 2021 Nissan Rogue and the 2021 Lexus NX. Nissan equipped every Rogue with an elaborate suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella. These included automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, among others, and critically, a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert.

Upgraded features like adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system were standard from the SV trim upwards, with the Platinum trim boasting further enhancements like an airbag between the driver and front passenger for additional safety. While crash-test results weren't available at the time of review, improvements in high-strength steel and crash engineering were promising.

The Lexus NX also came with a comprehensive safety package standard. Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 encompassed all the basics: rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also included, with options for park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights.

Safety ratings were strong for the NX, with the IIHS awarding top “Good” scores across all crash tests and “Superior” ratings for front crash prevention technology. The NHTSA awarded the NX a five-star overall safety rating. Lexus backed its safety claims with a generous warranty: a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty.