2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Lexus RX

The 2021 Nissan Rogue donned a handsome new styling that took it more into the robust SUV territory than a mere car. This model featured dark gray plastic cladding covering the lower perimeter, augmented by bold, simulated skid plates and lower door protection, evoking a rugged essence—albeit a bit too audaciously on the SUV’s rear bumper. It sported clean LED lighting elements, a dominant V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned bodywork, providing a modern aesthetic. Aluminum wheels size up to 19 inches in diameter were standard across all trims, and an optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment added a customized look.

The Rogue came in four trims: the S ($25,650) as the entry point, the popular SV ($27,340), the slightly luxurious SL ($32,000), and the top-tier Platinum ($35,430) equipped with semi-aniline quilted leather and upscale amenities. A few factory options were available, including an all-wheel-drive for $1,400 and Premium option packages for the SV and SL trims. The test vehicle was a Rogue SL adorned with the Premium Package, extra-cost paint, floor mats, and a cargo area protection package, totaling $35,195 with destination charges included.

Inside, the test vehicle boasted an Almond-colored leather interior with a panoramic glass sunroof, creating a light, bright, and spacious cabin. Abundant soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars delivered a quality feel. Nissan arranged controls logically for user convenience. Higher trims featured luxurious touches like quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting.

A notable observation was the retro appearance of the climate control panel numbers, resembling an old-school digital clock from the 1980s, and the presence of a CD player, reflecting a certain technological nostalgia.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus RX captured the essence of modern Lexus design with its large grille, angular headlamps, sleek body, and floating roof design. The interior flaunted sumptuous seating, perforated leather upholstery, but was critiqued for a bland center console.

Lexus offered the RX in five variants: RX, RX F Sport, RXL, RX Hybrid, and RXL Hybrid, catering to different powertrain preferences. While exterior upgrades included 20-inch split five-spoke wheels, triple-beam LED headlights, and a windshield wiper de-icer, the F Sport Appearance package added sporty touches like F Sport wheels, black outer mirrors, and performance dampers.

Inside, even the base RX 350 model impressed with standard inclusions like carpeted floor mats, chrome inside door handles, and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Higher trims offered luxuries such as semi-aniline leather upholstery, captain’s chairs, sport and heated seats, and multiple climate control enhancements. However, the dated charcoal plastic look and traditional button layout on the center console were seen as lackluster compared to the sleek and modern designs of competitors.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue took some criticism for its power output. Weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, it housed a single engine option: a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. While adequate for daily driving, the Rogue's engine lacked the punch for spirited driving. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) efficiently leveraged the available torque, giving a driving experience closer to that of a traditional automatic transmission. Paddle shifters were present but unlikely to be frequently used.

The SUV showcased its off-road capabilities with available all-wheel drive, 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, making it adept at handling rough terrain. However, its normally aspirated 2.5-liter felt drained in high altitudes or rigorous driving conditions. Nissan hinted at a possible future turbocharged engine option but remained non-committal.

Fuel economy for the front-wheel-drive Rogue SL averaged 27.5 mpg on varied roads, slightly below its EPA rating. The ride and handling stood out, thanks to a new, robust architecture composed of 35% high-strength steel, fine-tuned suspension systems, and an electric assist steering move from the column to the rack for improved feel.

The 2021 Lexus RX, including its RXL and RX F-Sport variants, offered a more potent 3.5-liter V6 engine delivering 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the RX performed smoothly, although it sometimes struggled to find the right gear under heavy acceleration. Lexus recommended 91 octane fuel for optimal performance.

Fuel efficiency ratings for the front-wheel-drive RX 350 stood at 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, with a combined 23 mpg. The all-wheel-drive models were slightly less efficient. The RX Hybrid models, powered by a combination of a 3.5-liter V6 and three electric motors producing 308 hp, achieved up to 31 mpg in the city.

Handling saw improvements for 2020 rolled into the 2021 model. The vehicle felt stable around corners with all-wheel drive, though some body roll persisted at higher speeds. The adaptive variable suspension in the F Sport Handling package added a layer of dynamism, while the RX F-Sport offered a sportier driving experience without rivaling hardcore performance models like the Audi SQ5.

The RX was a comfortable, capable cruiser, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in around 7.7 to 7.9 seconds and maintaining a top speed capped at 124 mph, except the RX Hybrid which maxed out at 112 mph.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue focused on maximizing comfort and functionality. With improved Zero Gravity seat designs in the new model, the Rogue offered significant comfort across all trims. S trim featured cloth upholstery with manual height adjustment for the driver. SV trim added eight-way power adjustment and optional leatherette upholstery, while SL and Platinum trims escalated to leather and premium leather, respectively.

While Nissan did not offer ventilated seats, it provided heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats on higher trims. The climate control system ranged from standard air conditioning in S trim to a triple-zone automatic system in SL and Platinum, ensuring comfort for all occupants. Rear-seat headroom and legroom were generous, and the rear doors opened nearly 90 degrees for easy passenger loading. The Rogue’s quieter cabin resulted from aerodynamic improvements and acoustic materials.

Cargo capacity in the Rogue varied slightly by trim: 31.6 cubic feet in S and SV trims, and 36.5 cubic feet with the Divide-N-Hide cargo system in higher trims, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with rear seats folded. These capacities were generous for a compact crossover SUV.

The 2021 Lexus RX was functionally impressive, albeit with some limitations in cargo space due to its sloped roof design. The two-row RX models seated five comfortably, with ample space for front and second-row occupants. The three-row RXL models seated six or seven, depending on the configuration, but the third row was cramped for adults.

Cargo capacity in the RX was somewhat limited compared to competitors. The two-row RX offered 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet with seats folded. The three-row RXL had just 7.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 23 cubic feet behind the second, and 58.5 cubic feet with both rows folded. Competitors like the Nissan Murano and Honda CR-V provided more cargo space.

A power liftgate was standard on all RX models, with an optional hands-free liftgate for added convenience.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came with a competitive suite of infotainment features. The S trim provided an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant was included for a six-month trial.

SV and SL trims added NissanConnect Services with a WiFi hotspot and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The 9-inch touchscreen, available with the SL Premium Package or Platinum trim, included door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, enhanced voice recognition, and a Bose audio system.

Platinum trim added premium tech features like wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Lexus RX offered a comprehensive tech package, including dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, satellite radio, HD radio, a WiFi hotspot, six USB ports, and a nine-speaker sound system.

Upgrades were available, such as trip-zone automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, additional USB ports, moonroof, panoramic roof, wireless charging, navigation, and a 15-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system.

The Lexus infotainment system featured a Remote Touch controller, designed to operate the screen without touching it directly. However, it wasn’t as refined as some competitors’ systems and took up valuable center console space. The RX did not offer wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which might be a dealbreaker for tech-savvy buyers.

For the 2021 Nissan Rogue, safety was a significant priority. Every model came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, a comprehensive suite of ADAS, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, among others. Additional features included ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system.

The SV trim introduced ProPilot Assist with lane-centering assistance and adaptive cruise control, which was upgraded with Navi-link technology in the SL Premium Package and Platinum trim. However, crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2021 Lexus RX was awarded the IIHS Top Safety Pick, achieving Good marks in all crashworthiness tests. The RX 350, RX 350L, and RX 450h received a four-star overall rating from NHTSA, with a perfect score for side-impact crashworthiness.

Standard safety features on the Lexus RX included a rearview camera, 10 airbags, enhanced vehicle stability control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 suite encompassed features like a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, lane-keep assist, lane-trace assist, and road sign assist. While comprehensive, it lacked some of the hands-free driving capabilities offered by competitors.