2022 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured clean lines and balanced proportions, which some might have found boring, but it had a conservative, upscale, and timeless aesthetic that was likely to age well. It was large for its class, nearly as spacious inside as a Hyundai Santa Fe or Kia Sorento, thanks to a long-wheelbase version. The interior was roomy, accommodating up to seven passengers with an optional third-row seat for AWD models, though the third row was best suited for children. The cabin combined modern geometric forms with a no-nonsense control layout, though it had some hard plastics and flimsy steering wheel stalks. Trim levels ranged from S to SEL Premium R-Line, with prices between $25,245 and $39,095, excluding a $1,195 destination charge.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue, redesigned in 2021, carried forward a more mature look with no new flourishes. It shared design features with other Nissan vehicles, including a V-motion grille, multi-level LED headlights, and a floating roof illusion. The interior had a layered dash with contrasting colors and surfaces, an electronic gear selector, and ample storage options. The Rogue's Zero Gravity front seats were comfortable, and the second row offered good legroom and space for two adults or three in a pinch. Fit and finish were exemplary, especially in the top-of-the-line Platinum model.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower at 4,360 rpm and 221 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. An eight-speed automatic transmission sent power to the front wheels, with 4Motion AWD available for an additional $1,400 on most models. The engine had some turbo lag, making it feel breathless during passing maneuvers, and the nearly 4,000-pound curb weight contributed to this perception. The EPA rated the Tiguan at 25 mpg combined with FWD and 24 mpg with AWD, but real-world testing showed an average of 22.6 mpg for the AWD model. The Tiguan offered a pleasurable driving experience with light, responsive steering, a compliant ride, and nimble handling, though it struggled over sharp speed bumps and railroad tracks. It was quiet and composed on the highway, making long road trips enjoyable.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue benefited from a new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine with three cylinders, producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. This was an 11% increase in horsepower and a 24% increase in torque over the previous 2.5-liter engine. The new engine improved fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 30 mpg city/37 mpg highway/33 mpg combined. The Rogue's CVT transmission had wider gear ratios, providing better acceleration and responsiveness. The chassis and suspension delivered a smooth, controlled ride with minimal body roll, and the electric power-assisted steering had good feel and a tight turning diameter of 35.4 feet.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan prioritized comfort with large doors, tall seating hip points, and a wide range of front seat adjustments. The V-Tex leatherette upholstery and dual-zone climate control system added to the comfort. The back seat offered excellent support, legroom, and foot space, with air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Tiguan had a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat and a usefully shaped cargo space with deep wells. Cargo volume ranged from 33 to 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, depending on the presence of the third-row seat, and a maximum capacity of 65.7 to 73.5 cubic feet.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue had numerous storage options in the front cabin, including bottle holders, cupholders, a glove compartment, a center console bin, and more. Rear-seat passengers had storage options in the doors, seatbacks, and center armrest, along with USB-A and USB-C charge-only ports. The second-row seat was a 60/40 split reclining bench. The Rogue's cargo area offered 31.6-36.5 cubic feet of space, depending on configuration, and 74.1 cubic feet with the second row folded flat.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan featured the MIB3 infotainment system starting with the SE trim, which included an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, WiFi, SiriusXM 360L, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and Car-Net connected services. The system had some quirks, and the standard six-speaker sound system struggled with bass-heavy music. The SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims had Volkswagen Digital Cockpit instrumentation and a nine-speaker Fender premium audio system.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue's technology upgrade included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 9-inch center infotainment touchscreen, and a 10.8-inch head-up display on upper trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless Apple CarPlay available on higher trims. ProPilot Assist, Nissan's hands-on driver-assist technology, was available and integrated with the navigation system on models with ProPilot Assist with Navi-Link, allowing for predictive speed control.

The 2021 Volkswagen Tiguan came with the IQ Drive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control was standard on SE trim and above, while lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist was added on the SEL. The SEL Premium R-Line featured automatic high-beam headlights and front and rear parking sensors. The Tiguan earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS in SEL and SEL Premium R-Line trims.

The 2022 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite, including 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 had ten supplemental airbags, extended crumple zones, and Nissan's Intelligent Driver Alertness technology. ProPilot Assist was available, offering Level 2 advanced driver-assist capabilities. The 2022 Rogue received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2021 model.