2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Volvo XC90

The 2021 Volvo XC90 marked a significant shift in Volvo's design philosophy, maintaining its traditional styling while adding a touch of modern flair. The XC90 retained its boxy profile and blunt front end, but with softer lines and more chrome detailing, it presented a more refined appearance. The LED headlights with "Thor's Hammer" daytime running lights were a distinctive feature that enhanced its visual appeal. The interior of the XC90 embraced Swedish minimalism, offering high-quality materials and a thoughtfully arranged cabin. The use of matte-finish wood trim and the option for wool upholstery added a unique touch, while the Orrefors crystal shifter provided a luxurious element, albeit slightly out of place in the otherwise restrained interior.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, resulting in a more muscular and imposing presence. The squared-off nose and deeper V-Motion grille design, flanked by narrow LED headlamps and functional air vents, contributed to its bold look. The exterior colour palette was simplified, with options for two-tone configurations on the Platinum grade. Inside, the Rogue offered a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system, creating additional storage space. The second-row doors opened wider for improved access, and the interior featured a range of standard and optional features, including heated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a redesigned cargo system.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base T5 model produced 250 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the T6 variant, with both turbocharging and supercharging, delivered 316 hp and 295 lb-ft. The T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid, known as Recharge, combined the T6 engine with electric motors for a total output of 400 hp and 472 lb-ft. Despite the impressive power figures, the XC90's small engine struggled with flexibility compared to competitors' larger engines. The XC90 excelled in ride quality, thanks to an optional air-suspension system, and offered a respectable towing capacity of 2,250 kg.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with direct injection, producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine was well-matched to the Rogue's weight, providing adequate performance across the lineup. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less intrusive than expected, and the Rogue's handling improved with a 27% increase in torsional rigidity and a revamped suspension. Fuel efficiency was reasonable, with the Rogue achieving 8.9 L/100 km in the city and 7.0 on the highway in front-wheel drive configuration. All-wheel drive was available, enhancing the Rogue's versatility.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 offered a choice between six-seat and seven-seat configurations, with average headroom and legroom across all three rows. The third row was tight for adults, and the seats lacked support. The interior felt spacious, aided by a power sunroof and upright roof profile. The XC90's cargo space was limited, with 317 litres behind the third row, 965 litres with the rear seats folded, and 1,815 litres with all seats down. Storage options were also limited, but a hands-free power tailgate was available.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system, creating additional storage space. The second-row doors opened wider for improved access, and headroom was increased. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The SV trim added a 360-degree camera, remote start, and a panoramic sunroof. The Platinum grade included a redesigned cargo system with 1,028 litres of space with the second row up and 2,064 litres with it folded. The cargo system allowed for a 5 cm floor height adjustment and included a panel for separating cargo.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a 9-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The system was intuitive, with a portrait-oriented touchscreen that was easy to use. A 19-speaker Bowers & Wilkins audio system and head-up display were available. However, the wireless charging pad was too small for most phones, and the lack of front USB-C ports was a drawback.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The SV grade added a Wi-Fi hotspot and additional USB ports. The Platinum grade upgraded to a 9-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and a 10.8-inch head-up display. A Bose 10-speaker audio system was also included. However, the digital instrument cluster's graphics were difficult to read due to low contrast.

The 2021 Volvo XC90 received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS for non-hybrid models, with top scores in crash tests and front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating. The XC90 offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite as standard, including emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The SV model introduced ProPILOT Assist for highway driving assistance. The Rogue received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with improvements in later models.