2021 Nissan Rogue vs Kia Sportage

It's no surprise that the two-row SUV market is bustling. Customers have plenty of excellent options, and companies are putting in extra effort to ensure exceptional reliability, quality and cutting-edge technology come standard with every car. For those seeking top value combined with a modern edge – look no further than 2021 Nissan Rogue or Kia Sportage! Both models offer unbeatable features for an unbeatable price.

 

The Powertrain

For those looking for power in their vehicle, the Nissan Rogue and Kia Sportage have got you covered! Both are equipped with four-cylinder engines boasting an impressive 181 horsepower and either 175 or 181 pound-feet of torque. The Rogue comes standard with a 2.5L engine while three out of the available four trims from Sportage offer a choice between that same size or a smaller 2.4L motor – ensuring there's something to suit every driver's needs.

The Kia Sportage's SX Turbo trim offers an unforgettable experience - with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, it unleashes 240 horsepower and torques of up to 260 pound-feet! It's the perfect pick for those seeking uncompromised performance behind the wheel. Buckle up and get ready to hit the roads in style.

The Kia Sportage provides a unique driving experience with its six-speed automatic transmission and optional Sportmatic feature. Giving drivers the chance to manually control shifting, this bonus feature can add an extra layer of excitement while out on the roads.

The Nissan Rogue offers an intuitive drive experience that can be tailored to your needs! Enjoy the smooth, efficient performance of their continuously variable transmission and select between Eco or Sport mode for fuel efficiency or a more dynamic driving style. And if you are looking for even more control over your ride - take advantage of paddle shifters conveniently located on the steering wheel. Plus, Kia has these same great features as well.

The Nissan Rogue and Kia Sportage both offer options for enhanced slippery-road traction with all-wheel drive. With the Rogue, you get Snow and Off-Road modes as an added bonus - but if that's not enough to satisfy your need for control in adverse conditions, then fear not; the Kia Sportage offers a locking center differentials feature which adds extra grip when needed! Both cars have front wheel drive as their standard specification though, so it depends on what level of capability you're comfortable driving with.

When it comes to non-hybrid vehicle fuel efficiency, the Nissan Rogue is king. It can reach up to an impressive 27 mpg in city driving and 35 mpg on highways with all four tires hitting the pavement - although opting for AWD might make that number slightly less. The Kia Sportage isn't far behind at 23/30 between its two trims, unless you pick their SX Turbo version which has a bit of trouble reaching those numbers due to some engine differences.

Knowing that a new vehicle comes with a warranty can give a customer some peace of mind. The Nissan Rogue's powertrain coverage is good for five years or 60,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Kia Sportage's powertrain warranty is much more generous, as it's valid for ten years or 100,000 miles.

Drivability

These models offer just the right combination of size and convenience, appealing to people who live in both urban environments as well as those with plenty of parking space. With ample cargo room yet still being easy to park, these vehicles are perfect for all kinds of needs.

The Rogue is a bigger dude compared to the Sportage with it's extra 6.6 inches in length and higher ground clearance, which could be important if ever faced with rugged terrain. But never fear - both vehicles share similar widths and heights so you can still enjoy those dual comforts of size-savvy driving mixed with confidence no matter what type of road conditions are encountered.

The added length of the Nissan Rogue affects interior space. In the Rogue, leg room in the front and rear seats is 43.3 and 38.5 inches, respectively. Cargo volume when the rear seats are up is 36.5 cubic feet, and it increases to 74.1 cubic feet when the rear seats are lowered.

In the Sportage, there's definitely room for five people, but there's less room for cargo. Leg room is 41.5 and 38.2 inches in the first and second rows, and this is comparable to what the Nissan offers. The bigger distinction between the two models is evident when comparing cargo capacity. When the Sportage's rear seats are up, cargo volume is 30.7 cubic feet. When those seats have been folded down, maximum cargo capacity is 60.1 cubic feet. To some buyers, the fact that the Rogue has almost 15 cubic feet more space to hold cargo is going to be an important point.

Technology has revolutionized the driving experience, allowing for increased convenience and access to information with modern innovations. Nowadays it's second nature to be able to quickly get what you need while on-the-go.

In the Nissan Rogue, every model has Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, voice recognition, and either an eight- or nine-inch touchscreen. A model with the larger touchscreen would have integrated navigation and SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link. Most trims have Wi-Fi capability, and some have wireless charging, Bose audio systems, and four total USB ports. The base model has two USB ports.

An eight-inch touchscreen is also what the Kia Sportage has. Its trims have smartphone compatibility and Bluetooth, too. SiriusXM is an option on the mid-level trims and standard on the SX Turbo trim. That SX Turbo trim has voice-command navigation and a Harman Kardon premium sound system. All trims have a USB port up front, with some having an additional USB rear charging port and wireless charging.

Safety

Nissan and Kia have gone all-out in their mission to bring both powerful infotainment systems, as well as top of the line safety features, to their SUVs. With a range of available driver-assist packages from entry level trims up through more comprehensive higher end offerings - you're sure to be safe behind whichever wheel you take! The Rogue is especially generous here with additional options at its lowest trim.

The base model of the Kia Sportage has forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, so it can actively work to prevent a frontal collision with another car or a person in the road. It has lane keeping assist, which can alert drivers when they're drifting out of their lanes and correct steering to re-center themselves. The Sportage also has Driver Attention Warning, an alert system which engages if it seems like a driver isn't paying attention to the road.

The Nissan Rogue is the ideal ride for staying safe on the roads. It offers advanced technology to keep you alert, such as intelligent driver awareness and lane departure warning. Plus it's packed with features like blind spot warnings, rear cross traffic alerts, a parking-friendly sonar system and reverse automatic braking - no corrective steering required.

The mid-level trims of the Sportage and Rogue offer drivers advanced safety features to help them stay safe on the road, while their top trim models take it a step further. Enhancing driver awareness even further than before, they feature 360-degree monitor systems with sensors around all sides of each vehicle as well as head-up displays which notify you when important signs or notifications come into view. All these technologies work together creating an unparalleled level of safety for those behind the wheel.

Which Has the Best Value

With two distinct trim levels to choose from, Kia Sportage and Nissan Rogue offer buyers an array of options when shopping for their new vehicle. For the adventurous drivers out there, the Sportage’s SX Turbo beckons with highest-level features; while those looking for a more economical option may opt instead to go straight up in style with Rogue's Platinum choice. No matter what your preference is, both models provide plenty of value at all four trims.

Get a great deal on the Kia Sportage - price tags are lower across each trim than those of the Nissan Rogue! With just $24,090 needed to get started with the base model and only another few thousand for all additional trims, you'll be sure to save when shopping around. So if the economy is your priority this season, go check out what kind of Sportage awaits.

The Nissan Rogue offers drivers more than just an upgrade in safety and infotainment - it is also larger. But, with size comes a higher price tag. Whether the added room outweighs that cost difference depends on individual customers' needs and preferences.

With both the Nissan Rogue and Kia Sportage, you can expect to find comfortable seating options throughout their different trim levels. From cloth seats with manual adjustment in lower trims all the way up to luxury heated/ventilated leather or quilted semi-aniline leather for higher end models, these vehicles provide a range of comfort from basic essentials--even down to heating elements on the steering wheel.

From the exterior, the two SUVs look fairly athletic and have modern aesthetics. Notably, the Rogue comes standard with LED headlights, LED taillights, and LED Daytime Running Lights. The top two trims of the Nissan have motion-activated liftgates, LED fog lights, and panoramic moonroofs, and most trims have heated side mirrors.

The Kia Sportage offers a range of features to enhance your driving experience, from the LED headlights and fog lights on its top trim all the way down to heated side mirrors available across multiple trims. For added convenience, those at the very top can enjoy hands-free access with their liftgates as well as soak in natural light through their panoramic moonroofs.

 

Which is Better?

The Nissan Rogue provides a compelling package of features and amenities, including enhanced safety systems, an attractive infotainment system with SiriusXM access and 360-degree camera capabilities. Not to mention the added bonus of higher quality exterior components plus more cargo room than its competitor—all reasons why it stands out as one for shoppers to consider seriously when making their decision.

The Rogue offers numerous advantages, but they may not come cheap. With the base model being relatively affordable and subsequent trims carrying high price tags, potential customers must weigh their options carefully to determine if one of these vehicles is a practical investment.

The Kia Sportage offers adventurous drivers an unbeatable combination of capability and affordability. Its turbocharged engine gives it a noticeable edge over the Nissan Rogue, so those looking for superior performance need look no further! With its attractive price tag, plus youth-oriented appeal to boot, the SUV has plenty to offer customers seeking fun without breaking their budget.

It's a tough decision when selecting an SUV, but customers can rest assured knowing that any of the two options would make for reliable picks. They just need to take into account all their needs and desires before making up their mind.