2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid

The 2021 Nissan Rogue showcased a handsome new styling with a more technical appearance, making it look more like an SUV than a car. It featured dark gray plastic cladding around its lower perimeter, bold simulated skid plates, and lower door protection, which added a rugged touch, though perhaps too audaciously on the back bumper. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning lent the Rogue a modern aesthetic. All trim levels included aluminum wheels up to 19 inches in diameter, and an optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment gave it a custom look.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid slotted between the Lexus UX and RX crossovers, maintaining the same familial styling with sharp edges and a streamlined profile. Despite its sporty appearance, the NX's styling hadn't changed much over the years, making it both different and familiar. The F Sport Black Line test car featured a larger mesh grille, fake side intakes, and dark-finish 18-inch wheels, with a striking Grecian Water blue paint that contrasted nicely with the dark wheels and trim elements. The interior design, once radical, had become familiar due to the lack of changes, with a stepped center console and a focus on sportiness over traditional luxury.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for daily driving, it felt underpowered for its nearly 3,500-pound weight. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) performed well, with programmed ratios that mimicked a traditional automatic. The Rogue offered all-wheel drive, 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Fuel economy for the tested Rogue SL with front-wheel drive was 27.5 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, delivering a total of 194 horsepower. It came standard with all-wheel drive. Despite its sporty F Sport styling, the NX Hybrid was more focused on fuel efficiency than performance, with a 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds. The sport-tuned suspension improved handling, but the steering felt numb, and the drivetrain struggled with a heavy foot. The NX offered Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes, though they made little difference in performance.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured improved Zero Gravity seats, offering comfort across its trims. The interior was spacious, with generous rear-seat headroom and legroom, and rear doors that opened to nearly 90 degrees. The Rogue provided up to 74.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, among the largest in its class. It also included a power rear liftgate and a Divide-N-Hide cargo management system in higher trims.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid had less front and rear headroom compared to competitors, with cramped rear seats due to thick rear pillars. The front seats were comfortable, with standard 10-way power adjustment and available heated and ventilated options. The NX offered 16.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 53.7 cubic feet when folded, less than the gasoline model. A power-folding second row and power liftgate were available but not standard.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added a 9-inch display, navigation, and a Bose audio system. The Platinum trim included wireless charging, a digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display. The system was user-friendly, though the knobs were small and hard to grasp.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid's infotainment system was a weak point, featuring an 8-inch display with a touchpad interface that was difficult to use while driving. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hotspot. The graphics felt dated, and the menus were text-heavy. An eight-speaker audio system was standard, with a 14-speaker Mark Levinson system available on higher trims.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was standard on higher trims, with an improved ProPilot Assist system. Crash-test results were unavailable, but the use of high-strength steel suggested good crash protection.

The 2021 Lexus NX Hybrid received a “Top Safety Pick+” from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, with features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were newly standard.