2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 BMW X3

The 2021 Nissan Rogue sported a handsome new look that was more technical and SUV-like compared to its predecessors. The dark gray plastic cladding that adorned its lower perimeter, along with bold simulated skid plates and lower door protection, gave it a rugged appeal—though some may have found the back bumper's design a bit too audacious. The clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and balanced proportions lent the Rogue a decidedly modern aesthetic. The aluminum wheels, which were standard across all trim levels and could be as large as 19 inches, enhanced its stylish appearance, especially when paired with the optional two-tone paint featuring a black roof.

There were four versions of the Rogue available in 2021. The entry-level Rogue S was priced at $25,650, the popular Rogue SV at $27,340, the mid-luxury Rogue SL at $32,000, and the top-of-the-line Rogue Platinum at $35,430. Additional costs included $1,095 for destination charges. Optional packages and add-ons included all-wheel drive ($1,400) and Premium Packages for the SV ($2,660) and SL ($1,320). The test vehicle was a Rogue SL with the Premium Package, extra-cost paint, floor mats, and a cargo protection package, bringing its total price to $35,195.

The test vehicle's Almond-colored leather interior and standard panoramic glass sunroof created a light and airy feel that accentuated the cabin's improved spaciousness. Soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars contributed to the quality feel of the interior. Nissan's control layout was logical and clean, enhancing user-friendliness. The Platinum trim offered a genuinely luxurious experience with its quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting.

One notable feature of the Rogue's interior was the retro 1980s-style digital display on the climate control panel. Despite this nostalgic touch, the Rogue was technologically current, offering wireless Apple CarPlay as part of its suite of modern conveniences.

On the other hand, the third-generation BMW X3, which had been refined in 2018 and received updates in 2020, retained the brand's signature luxury feel. The X3's exterior resembled a downsized X5, imbuing it with an upscale presence. Its cold and mechanical interior styling, while perhaps not as aesthetically pleasing as the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, was incredibly functional.

The X3 trims in 2021 included the sDrive30i, xDrive30i, M40i, and the xDrive30e plug-in hybrid. The baseline sDrive30i and xDrive30i featured 18-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, a 10.2-inch infotainment system, navigation, and 10-way power-adjustable front seats. Numerous options, such as genuine leather, a panoramic sunroof, and a hands-free power liftgate, allowed for further customization. Higher trims like the M40i provided standard features like 19-inch wheels and unique exterior styling, emphasizing the X3's performance credentials.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's performance was somewhat hampered by its engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produced 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. While adequate for daily driving, its roughly 3,500-pound weight made the limited power output more noticeable. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a respectable job managing the available torque, with programmed ratios that made it behave similarly to a traditional automatic, including paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

With its all-wheel-drive option, up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, the 2021 Rogue was better equipped for adventure, though enthusiasts might have hoped for a turbocharged engine for more spirited driving. During a media test drive, Nissan hinted at the possibility of future turbocharging, perhaps borrowing the variable-compression turbocharged 2.0-liter engine from the Altima and Infiniti QX50 models.

Fuel economy for the front-wheel-drive test vehicle was slightly less than expected, achieving 27.5 mpg, compared to its 29-mpg EPA rating. Despite this, the Rogue's ride and handling were commendably smooth and responsive, thanks to its robust architecture and advanced suspension systems. The electric-assisted steering, newly positioned on the steering rack, provided a more engaging driving experience compared to earlier models.

Conversely, the 2021 BMW X3 offered a more robust array of powertrains. The sDrive30i and xDrive30i came with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 248 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered solid acceleration for both urban and highway driving.

The plug-in hybrid xDrive30e pushed this further, boasting 288 horsepower and a 17-mile electric-only range. It could be recharged in about 3.5 hours with a 240-volt Level 2 charger or nearly 12 hours using a standard 120-volt outlet. The performance standout in the range was the M40i, with its 382-horsepower twin-turbo inline-six engine, providing exhilarating acceleration and cornering prowess. Those seeking even greater performance could look at the 473-horsepower X3 M.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue prioritized comfort and functionality, starting with its Zero Gravity seat designs, intended to reduce fatigue by mimicking a neutral spine position. This generation saw an upgrade in seat comfort and materials, featuring cloth upholstery with manual adjustment in the base S trim, moving up to leatherette, standard leather, and premium leather in the higher trims.

Heating elements were abundant, with Quick Comfort heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and optional heated rear seats available on higher trims. However, ventilated seats were inexplicably absent from the offering, despite the car's origins in humid Nashville. Climate control systems varied by trim, with dual-zone automatic control for the SV and triple-zone control for the SL and Platinum, the latter also providing rear temperature control.

The Rogue's rear seats offered ample headroom and legroom, enhanced by doors that opened nearly 90 degrees for easier ingress and egress. This setup could easily accommodate three child safety seats, augmented by a standard rear-seat reminder system. Efforts to reduce cabin noise, including aerodynamic tweaks and thicker glass, were effective, creating a quieter ride.

In terms of cargo space, the Rogue offered 31.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats in the S and SV trims, expanding to 36.5 cubic feet with the Divide-N-Hide cargo management system in the SL and Platinum trims. With the rear seats folded, it could hold up to 74.1 cubic feet, one of the most spacious offerings in its class.

By comparison, the 2021 BMW X3 excelled in cargo capacity within its segment. It provided 28.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up, expanding to 62.7 cubic feet when folded, via its standard power liftgate, with an optional hands-free version for added convenience.

Passenger space in the X3 was equally impressive. The front seats offered ample headroom and legroom with a commanding driving position. Rear passengers also enjoyed adult-friendly seating, even on longer journeys.

BMW's approach to interior ergonomics included real buttons and dials to supplement the primary touchscreen, reducing the learning curve for new drivers.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came equipped with a competitive infotainment offering. The base S trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, alongside a six-month trial to Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant. Despite stubbier knobs and smaller shortcut buttons, the system was functional, with logical menu shortcuts.

Higher trims, particularly the SV and SL, added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration. The upgraded SL Premium Package and Platinum trim featured a 9-inch touchscreen, a door-to-door navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system.

For those desiring even more tech, the Platinum trim introduced wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2021 BMW X3's technology suite revolved around the 10.2-inch touchscreen, running the intuitive iDrive system. This setup outperformed systems in rivals Acura and Lexus in terms of ease of use, comparable to the Mercedes-Benz MBUX system. Both touchscreen and iDrive dial users were accommodated, addressing various user preferences.

Standard features included Apple CarPlay, with Android Auto being an optional addition. Upgraded options included wireless device charging, a digital driver display, and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system. Gesture control was another available feature, though it could produce unintentional actions for those who gesticulate while talking.

Nissan prioritized safety for the 2021 Rogue, recognizing the importance for family-oriented SUV buyers. Standard across all trims was the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, instead of the more commonly found adaptive cruise control.

The Rogue also featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder. Platinum trims offered additional safety with rear pre-tensioning and load-limiting seatbelts and an airbag that deployed between the driver and front passenger to mitigate injury risks.

ProPilot Assist, available starting with the SV trim, added adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. Enhanced ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, available on SL and Platinum trims, used navigation data for predictive speed adjustments, though some considered the system overly cautious.

Crash-test results were pending at the time, but Nissan's focus on structural integrity and high-strength steel suggested robust protection.

The BMW X3 provided an array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Additional options encompassed adaptive cruise control, adaptive headlights, and a head-up display.