Car Buyer Labs

Car Buying Advice, Tips, and Reviews

A blue 2021 Nissan Rogue is shown driving on a winding road in the mountains.

Why You Should Choose the 2021 Nissan Rogue

When you need space, engine power, and fuel efficiency, you’ll want to check out the 2021 Nissan Rogue. But first, let’s clear up the differences between the 2021 Nissan Rogue and the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport. It seems confusing, but the Nissan Rogue Sport is not a trim of the regular Rogue. Instead, simply it’s a smaller, less tech-heavy version of the Nissan Rogue. Both models are great, but you’ll want to go with the regular 2021 Nissan Rogue if you want the most space and power, though that does come at a slightly higher cost. If this sounds like the vehicle you’re searching for, we’ve got plenty more information here about this impressive new model.

Technology Galore

The new Nissan Rogue has not one but three high-tech electronic displays. These include your digital dashboard, your touchscreen display, and a Head-Up display which projects important stats directly to your windshield. This makes driving even safer because you’re never truly taking your eyes off the road. Each display option allows you to customize it to suit your individual preferences.

Your touchscreen display includes several handy systems that make the commute even easier. You’ll get Nissan’s Door to Door Navigation feature, which offers 3D building graphics paired with turn-by-turn directions, ensuring that you never truly get lost. But if you’re more of a Google Maps person, it’s available to you instead, alongside Waze, which updates you on road conditions and traffic alerts.

This is only the beginning when it comes to the Rogue’s technology. You’ll also get wireless phone charging. This built-in charging pad is located above your shifter for easy access. Like most new models, the Rogue includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for music streaming and phone calls. Finally, the best part is that you can access your 2021 Nissan Rogue from your phone. Whether you want to start the engine to let the Rogue warm-up or cool down, you forgot to lock the doors but you’re too far away to use the keys, or you need to turn the alarm on, you’re covered.

The Rogue Sport offers similar services, as it includes remote access, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Door to Door Navigation. However, features such as Waze, wireless charging, and Google Maps are only available on the regular 2021 Nissan Rogue. So, if you prefer to go a little more bare-bones and don’t want to pay for the upgrade of technology, the Rogue Sport is the way to go.

A white 2021 Nissan Rogue is shown driving on a dirt road.

Multiple Safety Benefits

Another major difference between these two models is that the regular Nissan Rogue offers some additional safety features. The Rogue Sport offers all those standard driver assist features you love, such as Lane Departure Warning and Blind Spot Warning, for example. However, the Rogue includes all these with additional Driver Alertness and Traffic Sign Recognition. The Driver Alertness system can tell when you’re starting to drift off or get distracted, so it sends you a high-pitched noise to bring you back to the road. Further, Traffic Sign Recognition captures traffic sign info that you may have missed and stores it for you. There’s no excuse not to know the speed limit now!

The Rogue also includes front, rear, and side sonar sensors. These sensors help prevent you from backing into trash cans or running over smaller items that aren’t in your vision field. Finally, the 2021 Nissan Rogue provides you with a 360 view so that nothing gets in your way. Overall, the 2021 Nissan Rogue is a tech-heavy model that can add some extra eyes on the road, making your commutes safer and easier.

Those Stellar Performance Specs

The Rogue Sport is great if you like the structure of an SUV, but you really only want enough power to get you around town smoothly and efficiently. The Sport model has better fuel efficiency than the regular Rogue but less power. The 2021 Nissan Rogue produces 181 horsepower compared to the Rogue Sport’s 141 horsepower. Further, you can head off terrain with the regular Rogue, and you’ll get 5 different driving modes to help you do so. These modes include Off-Road Mode and Snow Mode, which help you handle slicker roadways covered in gravel or snow and ice.

While the Rogue Sport is all-wheel drive capable for those who live in snowy climates, it’s not tailored to off-pavement settings like the 2021 Nissan Rogue is. This is why the standard 2021 Nissan Rogue stands out for drivers who like to head off the pavement every now and then.

You also get special performance add-on options with the Nissan Rogue. These include features like Hill Start Assist, Intelligent Trace Control, and Active Ride Control. Hill Start Assist holds your brakes on the hill even after you let off the brake to help prevent back rolling. Further, Trace Control makes turns safer and easier, while Ride Control takes the bumpiness out of your commute. Again, the 2021 Nissan Rogue performs well both on and off the pavement. When you’re looking for a well-rounded driving experience, the standard Nissan Rogue is the model for you.

A grey 2021 Nissan Rogue is shown from the side parked in a city.

Interior and Exterior

The Rogue offers up to 74.1 cubic feet of cargo volume, heated front seats, seating for 5 people, and remote start. The Nissan Rogue also has a hands-free liftgate with motion activation, which means that it opens at the swing of your foot, just as long as you’ve got your key fob handy. The 2021 Rogue includes tri-zone temperature control and a heated steering wheel. In short, tri-zone temperature control literally means that each row has its own heating and cooling vents and settings. If your backseaters are freezing, but the front passengers are hot, you’re set. When the middle seaters need heat, but the third-row needs A/C, that’s no problem! This is another important spec that makes the 2021 Nissan Rogue so ideal for family commuting.

Speaking of the interior, the 2021 Rogue offers several interior seating color options, both cloth and leather. It even includes a special tan shade that stands out compared to its gray and black shades. This model also includes a dual-pane moonroof and sunshades for the rear windows. Whether you want the most sunlight or absolute privacy, you’re set.

The Rogue is incredibly aesthetically appealing, which is especially noticeable in its exterior color options. Five out of the Rogue’s 14 color options are two-toned, while the other 9 colors are solid. Finally, there are two different wheel options for the 2021 Nissan Rogue, which are spread out across its four different trims. The S trim includes 17-inch alloy wheels, while the other three trims come with 18-inch or 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels that are black and silver. You can also add official Nissan accessories when you customize your new 2021 Nissan Rogue. In the end, this commuter-friendly model carries an impressive aesthetic appeal to match its incredible performance.

Which 2021 Nissan Rogue Trim Is for Me?

We’ve given you a rundown of the 2021 Nissan Rogue as a whole, but how about its trim differences? First, let’s begin with the base-level S trim’s perks. This cheapest model includes an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic headlights, and a USB-C port for quick device charging, and LED headlights. Next up is the SV trim, which includes remote start, and Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist, which can adjust your speeds automatically, keeping you from rear-ending the vehicle ahead.

The Rogue’s two top trims are the SL trim and the Platinum trim. The SL trim includes all the aforementioned features, along with the motion-activated liftgate, tri-zone temp control, and a dual-panel moonroof. The Platinum trim offers wireless device charging and heated rear seats. As you can see, even the base-level Nissan Rogue offers plenty of modern tech conveniences. However, if those higher-end features appeal to you, the option is there, especially with the 2021 Nissan Rogue Platinum trim. But no matter which trim you choose, the 2021 Nissan Rogue remains a fuel-efficient, powerful, and spacious choice.