2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2021 Nissan Rogue exhibited a handsome new styling with a more technical appearance, making it look more like an SUV than a car. Dark gray plastic cladding covered the Rogue's lower perimeter, and bold, simulated skid plates and lower door protection conveyed the right amount of ruggedness—albeit a bit too audaciously on the back bumper. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning lent the new Rogue a modern aesthetic. All trim levels included aluminum wheels sized up to 19 inches in diameter, and the optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment gave the SUV a custom look.

Four versions of the Rogue were available: Rogue S ($25,650), Rogue SV ($27,340), Rogue SL ($32,000), and the Rogue Platinum ($35,430). These prices excluded the $1,095 destination charge. Factory options included all-wheel drive for $1,400, and Premium option packages were available for both the SV ($2,660) and SL ($1,320). Our test vehicle, a Rogue SL with the Premium Package and extra-cost paint, and other accessories, totaled $35,195, including destination charges.

Inside, the tested Rogue featured an Almond color leather interior and a standard panoramic glass sunroof, resulting in a light and bright ambiance that emphasized its improved roominess. Abundant soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars contributed to a sense of quality. For a genuinely luxurious look and feel, the Platinum trim offered quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting. However, the SUV still included some dated elements like the climate control panel's old-school digital clock numbers and an outdated CD player.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Outback, which was redesigned for the 2020 model year, gave off a feeling of familiarity and comfort similar to older Subaru models. While the analog gauges, steering wheel spokes, and seat forms felt reminiscent of past designs, the interior was fresher compared to its cousin, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. Skipping the base trim with its dual 7-inch touchscreens encased in matte plastic was advisable for the more appealing and functional single 11.6-inch portrait display, which was bright, sharp, and adorned with chrome trim.

The interior quality was evident, with substantial-feeling window switches, padded dash, and premium surface materials. Despite the Onyx Edition XT test car featuring soft and water-resistant synthetic StarTex upholstering with lime green stitching, limited and touring trims with two-tone leather upholstery offered a luxury car impression. Externally, the Outback's gray cladding on the wheel arches, sills, and bumpers was practical for off-road situations, and the tall, balanced styling conveyed stability. The 2021 additions included new paint options, adaptive LED headlights, and maintained its lifted wagon persona.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. Weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, the Rogue felt underpowered for its size, although the continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a decent job of making the best of the existing torque. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission's feel and included paddle shifters on the steering wheel. For potential off-road adventures, the Rogue offered up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, available all-wheel drive, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes.

During a media drive, we expressed the desire for a turbocharged engine option, which Nissan did not confirm nor deny. The vehicle's driving dynamics could be slightly improved by switching to Sport mode from the default Standard mode. Fuel economy was another area where the Rogue could improve; our tested front-wheel-drive model achieved 27.5 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 29 mpg.

Built on a new, robust structure with 35% high-strength steel, the Rogue featured a strut front and multi-link rear suspension. Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control, Active Ride Control, and Vehicle Motion Control systems all contributed to a smooth and predictable ride, enhanced by the 19-inch wheels and 235/55 all-season tires. The standout feature was the new electric-assisted steering, which felt dramatically improved from previous generations.

On the other hand, the 2021 Subaru Outback struggled with its underpowered 2.5-liter flat-four engine, which made 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. The base trim weighed a minimum of 3,635 pounds, and with additional cargo and passengers, it struggled with performance, especially on the highway. The CVT further amplified the sluggishness, making it noisy and slow. The turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine available on higher trims like the XT was a game-changer, producing 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, and offered a significant improvement in power and refinement.

The Outback’s strong points included ride comfort, superior off-road capability due to its 8.7 inches of ground clearance, and Subaru’s electronically-variable AWD system. The system was proactive, always driving all four wheels and optimized by the X-Mode feature for diverse road conditions. The XT powertrain achieved EPA-estimated fuel economy figures of 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway, slightly less efficient than the base engine.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue aimed for supreme comfort with its Zero Gravity seats, which were redesigned for better support and comfort. Depending on the trim, these seats were upholstered in cloth, leatherette, or premium leather. Despite the absence of ventilated seats, the Rogue featured standard air conditioning, dual-zone automatic climate control on SV trim, and triple-zone on SL and Platinum trims. The spacious rear seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably, and nearly 90-degree rear door openings facilitated easy loading.

The Rogue SL and Platinum trims offered a hands-free power liftgate, revealing a cargo space of 31.6 cubic feet in the S and SV trims, and up to 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum trims. With the rear seats folded, the maximum cargo volume was 74.1 cubic feet, making it one of the largest in the compact SUV class. Nissan's focus on reducing interior noise through aerodynamic improvements and the use of acoustic glass also enhanced the overall cabin experience.

The 2021 Subaru Outback’s ground clearance exceeded many full-sized trucks, allowing it to navigate tough terrains while maintaining a refined and spacious interior. With the rear seats folded, the Outback offered up to 76 cubic feet of cargo space and 33 cubic feet with them raised. The cargo area was wide and flat, with strategically placed storage compartments for convenient access.

Seating comfort and ample headroom and legroom characterized all four outboard seating positions in the Outback. The visibility was excellent, thanks to thin pillars and extensive glass coverage. The storage compartments were ample, including large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy console pockets. While push-button start and rear climate vents were only standard or optional in higher trims, the practical roof rails with integrated crossbars and hands-free power tailgate were notable highlights.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a competitive infotainment package starting with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base S trim, along with Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration. Premium tech features included a 9-inch touchscreen, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, a Bose audio system, and a comprehensive voice recognition system.

The Platinum trim took it a step further, offering wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display for more advanced tech lovers. Despite minor issues like stubby knobs and small shortcut buttons, the overall system was functional and user-friendly.

Contrastingly, the 2021 Subaru Outback’s infotainment system felt dated, reminiscent of decade-old tech. Even though it included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, and the optional navigation system was modern-looking, the user interface remained clunky. The base model's dual-screen setup was not as cohesive as the single large screen which was more functional despite its flaws.

Subaru’s EyeSight was standard across all trims, offering adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. While the system was effective, it relied solely on forward-looking cameras, which could be less reliable in certain conditions compared to systems using both cameras and radar.

Safety was a prime focus for the 2021 Nissan Rogue, equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360 across all trims. This included features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a particularly useful blind-spot warning system. Higher trims featured an enhanced ProPilot Assist system with adaptive cruise control and Navi-link technology that adjusted speed based on navigation data. Additional safety measures included ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, a rear-seat reminder, and an airbag between the front seats in the Platinum trim. Though crash-test results were pending, the extensive use of high-strength steel and engineering efforts promised better protection.

For the 2021 Outback, a stronger and stiffer chassis provided a safe foundation. Standard safety features included numerous airbags, and driver assists like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were either optional or standard depending on the trim. The Outback's safety credentials were validated by an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2020 and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, making it a solid choice for safety-conscious buyers.