2021 Subaru Outback vs 2022 Nissan Rogue

The 2021 Subaru Outback received a redesign for the 2020 model year, featuring subtle visual updates that kept it closely aligned with previous models. Subaru maintained the familiar, comfortable feel reminiscent of older generations. The analog gauges retained similar typefaces, colors, and spacing, while the steering wheel kept its recognizable design, now boasting more buttons. The seats' forms recalled those of previous models. Unlike the sibling 2021 Subaru Crosstrek, which housed a dated dashboard from the 2009 era, the Outback's interior felt more modern, especially if the base trim was skipped. The base model housed two 7-inch touchscreens split with a row of buttons in the center stack, which paled compared to the sophisticated 11.6-inch portrait display available on Premium and above trims. This larger display, framed by polished black plastic and chrome, along with a few physical buttons, brought an air of sophistication and usability. Upper trims enjoyed more luxurious materials, with leatherette and chrome trim, giving off an upscale vibe.

For exterior design, the Outback carried practical gray cladding high on its wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, reducing the impact of scratches. The styling was smooth and plain but balanced to convey stability. It featured a few chrome flourishes and bracket-shaped LED running lights. There were few changes for the 2021 model year, with the addition of a new brown paint option and standard adaptive LED headlights. Subaru’s hallmark of a lifted wagon design made the Outback a unique alternative to typical crossovers and SUVs.

Conversely, the 2022 Nissan Rogue, a part of Nissan's lineup since 2007, received a significant redesign in 2021, evolving into more mature, sophisticated aesthetics. The 2022 model maintained this grownup look, featuring elements common in other current-generation Nissan vehicles like the reworked Pathfinder. The Rogue presented a V-motion grille, flanked by multi-level LED headlights, daytime running lights, and, in higher trims, LED fog lamps. Subtle improvements like active grille shutters and underbody covers enhanced airflow, while the floating roof design lent a sleek and modern touch.

Inside, the Rogue's layered dashboard showcased sophistication and detail, with contrasting layers in some trims and colors. The center console stood out with its electronic gear selector lever, freeing up space for additional storage beneath. Features like large cup holders, a wireless charging pad, and a prominent 9-inch infotainment display provided both functionality and ease of use. Upper trims offered more advanced tech with a full digital instrument panel and a head-up display, enriching the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, although accommodating a more substantial build in recent years, struggled with its base 2.5-liter flat-four engine, reminiscent of power outputs from the 1990s, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. Combined with a minimum weight of 3,635 pounds and a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the base engine faced challenges in delivering adequate performance, especially when loaded with passengers and cargo, making it slow and unremarkably noisy under stress.

However, the XT trims offered a substantial improvement with a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,000 rpm. This version showed marked improvement in terms of power, smoothness, and noise reduction, significantly bettering the overall driving experience, despite a slight fuel economy dip (23 mpg city/30 mpg highway against the base engine’s 26 mpg city/33 mpg highway).

The Outback’s handling leaned more towards comfort with soft ride quality and impressive ground clearance of 8.7 inches enhancing off-road capabilities. Subaru’s electronically-variable AWD system provided impeccable traction, preferring an all-wheels-driven approach over the reactive systems of many competitors.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Nissan Rogue received a significant performance boost with its new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine, adding vigor and efficiency. This engine utilized Variable Compression technology, dynamically adjusting the combustion chamber size to elevate power output or efficiency as required. The Rogue’s engine produced 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, translating to an 11 percent horsepower increase and 24 percent more torque than the previous model. These enhancements livened up the Rogue’s performance across different driving conditions.

The fuel economy of the Rogue saw notable improvements, with EPA estimates hitting 30 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined. Additionally, a new CVT with a wider range of gear ratios helped optimize acceleration and responsiveness, reducing the often-criticized drone associated with such transmissions.

The Rogue’s revised chassis and suspension ensured smooth and controlled handling with minimal body roll, while its electric power-assisted steering provided good feedback, coupled with a tight 35.4-foot turning diameter for nimble handling.

The 2021 Subaru Outback excelled with its impressive ground clearance, outmatching even full-sized trucks in this aspect, thus allowing it to navigate diverse terrains with ease. It offered copious interior space, boasting 76 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded and a generous 33 cubic feet with them upright. The cargo area design was practical and free of awkward intrusions, ensuring optimal usability.

Passenger comfort was a significant plus, with ample headroom and legroom in all positions, alongside excellent outward visibility. Storage solutions were plentiful, including map pockets, bottle holders, and additional small shelves within the front console. Though some features like the push-button start and rear climate vents were restricted to higher trims, essentials such as dual-zone climate control and rear USB ports came standard on Premium and above. The integrated roof rails with crossbars represented a brilliant cost-saving and convenient innovation.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, while offering slightly less cargo space compared to the Outback, still presented a substantial 31.6-36.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 74.1 cubic feet with them folded. The Rogue excelled in providing practical storage spaces throughout the cabin, including door bottle holders, multiple cubbies, and under-console trays, ensuring convenience for everyday use. USB ports of varying types in both front and rear enhanced connectivity for all passengers.

The Rogue’s interior echoed thoughtful design, offering reclining 60/40 split rear seats, ensuring comfort and flexibility. The advanced cabin layout with high-quality materials, especially in the Platinum trim, underscored Nissan’s attention to both aesthetics and practical functionality.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, unfortunately, fell short with its outdated-looking infotainment system. Despite Apple CarPlay and Android Auto being standard, the overall user interface felt old-fashioned with graphics similar to earlier gaming consoles rather than contemporary ones. Adaptive cruise control and other modern features were present but buried within a cumbersome system.

However, Subaru’s EyeSight technology brought significant safety functionality, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. Despite its limitations with forward-looking cameras only, EyeSight provided laudable semi-autonomous competencies, increasing its appeal despite tech-related shortcomings.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, in contrast, shined with a comprehensive tech uphaul in its preceding redesign. Featuring an advanced array of displays, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display, the Rogue provided a thoroughly modern driving interface. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Google Maps-integrated navigation further enhanced usability.

Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, especially with Navi-Link, integrated route-based speed adjustments, demonstrating significant strides toward autonomous driving. Features like Intelligent Key and expanded access points further improved the Rogue’s tech credentials, making it a compelling choice for tech-oriented buyers.

The 2021 Subaru Outback featured a strong and stiff chassis, enhancing safety. Standard airbags included a driver’s knee airbag and a passenger seat-cushion airbag. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was optional on lower trims and standard on higher ones. Rear emergency braking was available on specific trims, and a driver-attention monitor was standard on the highest trims.

The Outback earned top safety ratings, including a 2020 IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA, though it received four stars for front passenger protection in a frontal crash and in the rollover test.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue included the comprehensive Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite as standard across all trims. This suite offered automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Rogue also featured ten supplemental airbags and extended crumple zones.

ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, elevated the Rogue’s safety capabilities to a Level 2 advanced driver-assist system, managing acceleration, braking, and steering in traffic and on highways. The enhanced ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link added predictive speed control based on navigation data.

The 2022 Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2022 model but had awarded the 2021 Rogue a Top Safety Pick+ rating.