2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2022 Kia Telluride

The 2021 Nissan Rogue wore handsome new styling that was more technical and appealing. It had a rugged SUV appearance, complemented by dark gray plastic cladding along its lower perimeter, bold simulated skid plates, and lower door protection. Its aggressive rear bumper might have been striking, but for some, it could have appeared over-the-top. The clean LED lighting elements, prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned design gave the Rogue a modern look. The SUV appealed to those seeking a custom finish with optional two-tone paint and a black roof treatment. Four trims were available: S, SV, SL, and Platinum, with prices starting at $25,650 and reaching $35,430 plus $1,095 in destination charges.

In terms of interiors, the 2021 Rogue stood out. The Almond-colored leather interior, standard panoramic glass sunroof, and abundant soft-touch surfaces lent a sense of luxury. The controls were logically arranged, with simulated wood trim and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars further adding to the quality feel. The climate control panel's old-school appearance and the inclusion of a CD player gave a nod to the past, but the Rogue was also technologically adept with wireless Apple CarPlay.

Switching gears to the 2022 Kia Telluride, its styling was another key aspect of its appeal. The muscular design and balanced proportions, coupled with trendy blacked-out wheels and trim, rendered it a handsome midsize SUV. For 2022, the minor changes reflected Kia’s confidence in its design—only a slight grille pattern adjustment and new badges were introduced. Buyers could choose from LX, S, EX, and SX trims, starting at $32,790 and going up to $44,590, with a $1,225 destination charge.

Inside the Telluride, the design was equally compelling. The SX Prestige Package, present in our test vehicle, brought in Nappa leather upholstery and a simulated suede headliner. Despite this, the lower half of the cabin's glossy plastic trim felt somewhat cheap, especially in the SX Prestige. Every Telluride featured a logical control layout, with dual-zone climate control for front-seat occupants and a single-zone system for those in the back. Touches like a Smart Power Liftgate, heated and ventilated front and second-row seats, and dual sunroof panels added a luxury feel that belied its price.

Driving the 2021 Nissan Rogue, one couldn't escape the feeling it needed more power. Its nearly 3,500-pound frame was propelled by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, numbers that felt adequate but uninspiring, especially for adventures off the beaten path. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) performed well, with programmed ratios that made it feel more like a traditional automatic. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel provided a sporty touch, although their actual usage might have been minimal.

Activity-wise, the Rogue's new Snow and Off-Road driving modes and up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance offered better adaptability for various terrains. During testing, the Rogue SL front-wheel drive achieved 27.5 mpg, slightly below its EPA rating but still respectable.

The Rogue's ride and handling benefitted from its new architecture, with a 35% high-strength steel composition and systems like Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control enhancing the driving experience. The standout feature was the new steering system, with electric assist moved to the steering rack, resulting in dramatically improved feel over previous models.

Conversely, the 2022 Kia Telluride excelled in both power and driving satisfaction. It housed a 291-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 engine generating 262 pound-feet of torque, effortlessly managing its larger frame. With an eight-speed automatic transmission, AWD, and a Lock mode for splitting power equally between axles, the Telluride could handle various terrains with ease. However, its 8 inches of ground clearance and limited wheel articulation meant it was better suited to less challenging paths.

The Telluride featured driving modes like Eco, Comfort, Smart, and Sport, with the SX sporting 20-inch wheels and 245/50 tires for added grip. The brake-based Torque Vectoring Cornering Control system further enhanced its handling capabilities. It also achieved fuel economy numbers close to its EPA rating of 21 mpg in combined driving, making it a reliable option for long-distance travel and even towing up to 5,000 pounds.

Nissan sought to enhance comfort in the 2021 Rogue with Zero Gravity seat designs, which aimed to imitate a neutral spine position to reduce stress and fatigue. While the new seats were a marked improvement over the previous generation's, the actual comfort level varied. From cloth upholstery in the S trim to premium leather in the Platinum, the seating options varied widely. However, a noticeable absence was ventilated seat options, which seemed an oversight for a brand headquartered in Nashville.

In the Rogue, air conditioning was standard across the board, with the SL and Platinum trims boasting triple-zone automatic climate control. Rear-seat comfort improved, with generous headroom and legroom, and nearly 90-degree opening rear doors that facilitated easier loading. The cabin's quieter driving experience was augmented by aerodynamic improvements, acoustic front glass, and a thicker dashboard insulator.

Cargo space in the Rogue was generous for the segment. The base model offered 31.6 cubic feet, expanding to 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum trims thanks to the Divide-N-Hide cargo management system. Max cargo capacity with folded seats was 74.1 cubic feet, making it a top contender in its class.

The 2022 Kia Telluride focused on balancing form and function effectively. The interior was spacious and upscale, with thoughtful details like overhead air vents, manual rear side window shades, and USB ports in the front seatbacks. Dual-zone climate control managed the front cabin, and premium upholstery options included SynTex, real leather, and Nappa leather on higher trims.

Storage was another strong suit; the Telluride offered ample storage space, with 21 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet with it folded, and an impressive 87 cubic feet maximum. Its hands-free power liftgate and flat load floor made hauling items like Ikea furniture a breeze.

Comparatively, the Telluride outshone the Rogue in terms of maximum cargo space, offering 87 cubic feet compared to the Rogue's 74.1 cubic feet.

In 2021, the Nissan Rogue provided a robust infotainment package. The base S trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with a six-month free trial to Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant. Higher trims like SV and SL added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and smart assistants. The top trims boasted a 9-inch display, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system. The Platinum trim took it a notch higher with wireless charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display.

For 2022, the Kia Telluride offered a standard 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, although it sacrificed wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in favor of wired connections. The system was comprehensive but included USB charging ports for all three rows and a standard wireless charging pad (except for the LX). The premium SX trim came with a robust 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system and an advanced head-up display, enriching the technological experience for drivers and passengers alike.

Safety was a top priority for the 2021 Nissan Rogue. Under the Safety Shield 360 umbrella, it offered standard features such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and importantly, a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims came with ProPilot Assist for adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance, and the Platinum trim even included a front center airbag. Although crash-test results were pending, the robust vehicle architecture inspired confidence in its safety credentials.

The 2022 Kia Telluride also didn't skimp on safety. Its array of standard features, grouped under Kia Drive Wise, included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control with curve speed reduction. The SX trim added Blind-Spot View Monitor for enhanced visibility. In crash tests, the Telluride earned a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a “Top Safety Pick” from IIHS, although it fell short of the "Plus" designation due to headlight performance.