- we compare the new 2021 nissan rogue to its chief rivals, the honda cr-v and toyota rav4.
- the nissan is redesigned for 2021 with a new look and many new features.
- it is similar to the toyota and honda in many ways, but unlike them, it does not offer a hybrid model.
compact crossovers are big sellers in today's auto market, and the new 2021 nissan rogue is here to gain back some of the ground it has lost in recent years against popular models such as the toyota rav4 and the honda cr-v. we decided to compare the new rogue's specifications against these rivals to see how the redesigned version stacks up.
size and cargo space
the 2021 rogue is slightly smaller than its predecessor, but it remains a bit bigger than both the rav4 and the cr-v. it is larger in wheelbase and overall length, although it is a bit narrower than both the honda and the toyota.
the new rogue loses a bit of cargo space and now now offers 37 cubic feet behind the second row of seats. that's a bit less than the cr-v and the rav4. we look forward to measuring how many of our carry-on suitcases fit in the rogue's cargo area when we are able to get our hands on the new model. in this test, the 2020 rogue accommodated 10 suitcases, matching the rav4 and cr-v's results.
engines and transmission
the 2021 rogue makes do with a single engine option. it is a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. that engine is similar in specification to the rav4's base engine, also a 2.5-liter inline-four, but the toyota makes 22 more horsepower and 3 lb-ft more torque than the nissan. the honda cr-v comes standard with a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-four that makes 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque.
the rav4 has an eight-speed automatic transmission, while the rogue and cr-v both have continuously variable automatic transmissions. all three crossovers come standard with front-wheel drive and offer all-wheel drive as an option.
the nissan rogue does not offer a hybrid version as the cr-v and rav4 do. nissan offered a hybrid rogue from 2017 to 2019 but discontinued that model and says it does not have plans to bring it back.
mpg
combined fuel-economy estimates for the 2021 rogue range from 28 to 30 mpg. those numbers are nearly identical to the rav4's, which range from 27 to 30 mpg combined, and cr-v's, which the epa rates at 29 to 30 mpg combined. but the nissan will not be able to hold a candle to the hybrid versions of these crossovers efficiency-wise: the cr-v hybrid is rated at 38 mpg combined, and the rav4 hybrid is rated at 40 mpg combined.
price and features
nissan has not yet announced pricing for the 2021 rogue, but we expect it will be close to the honda's starting price of $26,170 and the toyota's starting price of $27,070. the rogue's base s trim appears to be better equipped than base models of the cr-v and rav4. the nissan comes standard with features that are optional on its rivals, including 17-inch wheels, smartphone-mirroring functions, and led headlights.