2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Subaru Ascent

The 2021 Nissan Rogue introduced a handsome new styling that imparted a more technical appearance, making the vehicle look and feel more like an SUV than a car. Its dark gray plastic cladding, bold simulated skid plates, and lower door protection projected a ruggedness, perhaps a bit too audaciously on the rear bumper. The clean LED lighting elements, prominent V-Motion grille, and modern proportions added to its contemporary appeal, especially when equipped with the optional two-tone paint featuring a black roof treatment. The Rogue had four trim levels: S, SV, SL, and Platinum, each offering increasingly luxurious features like leather upholstery and quilted semi-aniline leather.

By comparison, the 2022 Subaru Ascent embraced the trend of blacked-out exterior trims with its new Onyx Edition, which gave the SUV a sporty appearance it previously lacked. Available in Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trim levels, the Ascent priced itself from $32,295 to $45,445, with a destination charge of $1,125. The Onyx Edition featured unique blacked-out exterior trim, badges, and 20-inch aluminum wheels. Inside, the StarTex synthetic leather seats were water-repellant but had some issues with trapping sweat, making them less comfortable over long journeys.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, tested with a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, the Rogue managed to provide adequate daily-driving power, despite its engine feeling underpowered in more demanding driving situations. Featuring a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Rogue's ride was smooth and agile, with ground clearance of 8.2 inches and all-wheel drive available for off-road adventures. However, its front-driver version achieved an average fuel economy of 27.5 mpg, falling short of its EPA rating. Enhancements to its architecture, which included the use of high-strength steel and new suspension systems, offered improved ride quality and handling.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent, on the other hand, came equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Standard CVT and AWD, combined with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, made it more capable off-road compared to many competitors. During testing, the Ascent averaged 20.5 mpg. The vehicle's boxer engine design contributed to a lower center of gravity, enhancing handling. Its CVT provided eight programmed ratios and manual control, proving effective in both urban and mountainous terrains. However, the advanced driver-assistance systems sometimes made the driving experience feel less stable.

Nissan's 2021 Rogue improved its comfort with upgraded Zero Gravity seats in cloth, leatherette, or leather depending on the trim. The SUV offered spacious headroom and legroom, with rear doors that opened to a nearly 90-degree angle for easier passenger loading. Storage solutions were sensible, including a new electronic shifter that freed space under the center console, large door-panel pockets, and a useful power rear liftgate. Cargo capacity for the Rogue varied from 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet, with a maximum of 74.1 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded down.

Subaru's 2022 Ascent provided comfortable seating for up to eight people with its second-row bench seat. However, the third-row seating was better suited for children. The Onyx Edition featured water-resistant StarTex seats, and higher trims offered versatile features like captain's chairs, panoramic sunroofs, and rear window shades. The Ascent’s practicality extended to storage, with a notable dashboard shelf and large cupholders. Cargo capacity was 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and up to 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down—a clear advantage over the Rogue.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system was competitive, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto available on the base S trim. Higher trims added features like NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and seamless integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trims provided advanced tech, including a 9-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose audio system. The technology was user-friendly, despite some minor ergonomic issues with the control knobs.

For the 2022 Subaru Ascent, the base trim came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, and satellite radio. Upgrading to the Premium trim brought an 8-inch display and Starlink connected services, which included a WiFi hotspot and remote engine start. While the Starlink system had advantages, such as non-integrated climate controls, its voice recognition was less intuitive compared to the Rogue's system. Moreover, the Onyx Edition’s standard stereo was subpar, lacking the sonic depth younger drivers might expect.

Safety was paramount for the 2021 Nissan Rogue, equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360 across all trims, including features like automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered upgrades like ProPilot Assist with lane-centering and adaptive cruise control, though these systems were occasionally erratic. Unavailability of crash-test results at the time suggested strong safety construction with high-strength steel for better collision energy deflection.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent earned a "Top Safety Pick+" from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, except for a four-star rollover resistance rating. It came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance tech, which included advanced adaptive cruise control and lane-centering. Despite its high safety ratings, EyeSight performed intermittently in low sunlight, and the adaptive cruise control system was not always refined. Premium trims and above added valuable safety features like blind-spot monitoring and reverse automatic braking.