2021 Nissan Rogue vs. Rogue Sport: Which Is Right for You?
How does our long-term Rogue compare to its little brother?
Consumers don't always cross-shop vehicles in the same segments. From price to fuel economy and design, there are many reasons you might consider two vehicles of different sizes. One unconventional rival to our long-term Nissan Rogue is its little brother, the smaller Rogue Sport. But is the baby Rogue Sport as competent and well rounded as our Rogue?
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The Rogue is 10.2 inches longer than the Rogue Sport, allowing an additional 5.1 inches of rear legroom and making it more adult-friendly. But more noticeable than the legroom is the Rogue's increased cargo space. Both SUVs feel spacious enough for passengers, but unlike its smaller sibling, the Rogue can easily carry weekend luggage for the whole family.
It's no secret the Rogue is a bit slow. Even passengers in our long-term Rogue notice it and are irked by its slow, moaning acceleration as we merge onto the freeway. It takes 8.4 seconds to reach 60 mph, an adequate if unimpressive time for the segment. The slow initial power delivery and engine sound further reinforce the impression of sluggishness. For more responsiveness, opt for the 2022 Rogue, which replaces our model's 181-hp 2.5-liter I-4 with a new 201-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged I-3.
Don't be fooled by the name—the Rogue Sport (pictured below in white) isn't a more athletic alternative. Down 40 hp from our 2021 Rogue, it also suffers from slow acceleration, requiring 9.8 seconds to reach 60 mph.
Smaller doesn't mean more efficient, either. The larger Rogue wins the fuel economy contest. Most trims get an EPA-rated 26/34/29 mpg city/highway/combined with FWD and 25/32/28 mpg with AWD (the 2022 model is even more efficient, netting 30/37/33 mpg in front-drive form and up to 28/35/31 mpg with AWD). Meanwhile, the Rogue Sport maxes out at 25/32/28 mpg and 24/30/27 mpg, respectively.
Both crossovers boast essential standard driver assist features, such as blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning, as well as remarkably useful upgrades like a 360-degree camera system and ProPilot advanced driver assist systems. But the Rogue has a few extra goodies: a larger standard touchscreen, available 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster, and head-up display. Although these options are nice to have, we feel OK without them on our long-termer.
Surprisingly, pricing isn't a huge differentiator between the SUVs. For 2022, the volume-trim Rogue SV starts at $30,135, around $2,500 more expensive than the $27,625 Rogue Sport SV, and this smaller SUV won't have quite as many desirable features. The smaller and less expensive Kicks might work for some Nissan SUV buyers, but that entry-level SUV lacks AWD availability.
The Rogue surpasses its little brother in most areas. In this case, we'd recommend sizing up for the Rogue's spacious interior, more modern cabin, and better performance.
More on our long-term 2021 Nissan Rogue SV:
- As Good As We Think It Is? A Nissan Rogue Joins Our Fleet for a Year
- 2021 Nissan Rogue SV: How Well Does It Perform at the Track?
- How We Wish the Nissan Rogue Was Like the Toyota RAV4 (and Vice Versa)
- How Does the 2021 Nissan Rogue SV's Interior Hold Up?
- Is the 2021 Nissan Rogue a Good Road Trip Companion?
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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