2021 Nissan Rogue

尽管d表示覆盖新的流氓etail, we still weren't prepared for the overall improvement over the outgoing model. The new platform developed as part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance is stiffer and, matched with a new multi-link rear suspension system, the ride is smoother and the crossover is more planted on the road. The Rogue doesn't have sporty aspirations, so hurtling around at top speed will see the crossover a bit out of its element, but the improved dynamics inspire more confidence when maneuvering at speed. It also delivers a smoother and quieter ride, living up to Nissan's aspiration of a more premium product. We had a remarkably pleasant time on country roads, stints on the freeway, and rolling along California's Pacific Coast Highway. On our test drive, power was never an issue, whether joining traffic or overtaking, and the Rogue hums along the freeway with smooth ease. A couple of hours in the driver's seat only reaffirmed our love of Nissan's Zero Gravity seats, and visibility is on the better side of good.

The Rogue features several drive modes: Standard, Eco, and Sport. All-wheel-drive models also get Off-Road and Snow Modes. We didn't get a chance to slip off the road with the Rogue, and there's little snow on the coast of California in the summer. However, Sport mode improved throttle response but didn't inspire us to race around, Eco softened throttle response but not to the point of frustration, and Normal was perfect for the usual cut and thrust of daytime traffic.

The new Rogue is proof that premium quality is now something you don't have to spend a lot of money to get. Starting at $25,650 for the front-wheel-drive S trim and topping out at $36,830 for the Platinum trim with all the bells and whistles, Nissan is bringing one hell of a value proposition to the table. In the industry's most competitive segment, the Rogue brings a smooth driving experience, a spacious and useful interior, and everyday practicality mixed with an upgrade in interior quality and materials. Matched with its distinctive and purposeful new looks, the Rogue could be a contender for the number one slot as best selling crossover in 2021. If it had the option of a more powerful turbocharged engine, the new Rogue would be incredibly hard to fault. The Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V are excellent, but the Rogue is a car that's more than a match for both.

Not much is known yet about the 2021 Nissan Murano, so is an almost-new 2020 version a better bet than the new Rogue? Well, the Murano has been around since 2015 so it lacks some of the fancy new tech in the smaller Rogue such as the latter's digital gauge cluster. Both have comfortable and well-built cabins, but the Rogue has a fresher design and layout. The Murano is nearly 10 inches longer yet that doesn't translate into a bigger trunk, and neither is the interior significantly more spacious than the Rogue's. That said, you do get V6 power and a meatier 260 hp in the Murano, but you'll pay for it at the pumps, where the Rogue is far more efficient. If you need the extra grunt, the Murano is worth considering, otherwise, we'd opt for the newer Rogue, which starts at over $5,000 less.

The CR-V is Honda at its competent best and buyers can't seem to get enough of them. Among the CR-V's highlights is a peppy 190-horsepower turbocharged engine; outputs are similar to the Rogue's but the Honda's turbo improves drivability. There is also a hybrid version of the CR-V that is far more efficient and which offers a useful 212 hp, easily trouncing the Rogue. Both SUVs are pleasant to drive, although the CR-V comes across as a slightly more engaging prospect. Both have smart cabins but the Rogue now feels more luxurious, although it's the Honda that has the bigger trunk. But the Nissan fights back with the availability of features such as a head-up display and heated rear seats. Although we'd give the CR-V's powertrain the edge, the newer Rogue does just enough to edge out the Honda.