2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime Versus 2021 Nissan Rogue Platinum: Which Is Right For You?

In case you haven’t noticed, America has gone crazy for compact sport-utility vehicles. Behind only pickup trucks, the segment is the favorite of U.S. car buyers, who like the size, versatility, seating position, and value of vehicles in the class. Now, as the 2021 model year opens, Nissan has just brought out an all-new version of its bestselling vehicle, the Nissan Rogue compact SUV, including a new Platinum trim. At the same time, Toyota has introduced a new, premium variant of its best-selling vehicle, the Toyota RAV4 Prime, a plug-in hybrid version of its compact SUV. Given the expected popularity of both vehicles, we think it makes sense to compare them. If you were in the market for the top-of-the-line compact SUV from these two brands, and we expect many of you are, you would examine the relative merits of the Toyota RAV4 Prime and the Nissan Rogue Platinum. Here’s our analysis:

Exterior

The 2021 Rogue is an all-new design that is more sophisticated and less “cute” than the previous edition. It includes signature Nissan design elements like the “floating roof” and V-motion grille. The front end is its most dramatic view with distinctly shaped multi-level LED headlights and, on the Platinum trim, LED fog lights. The new body is 1.5 inches shorter and 0.2 inches lower than the previous generation Rogue, and the rear hatch has been “squared-off” to improve access. The 2021 Rogue is offered in a wide range of color combinations, including five two-tone combinations.

Toyota designers made the 2021 RAV4, part of the model’s the fifth-generation, the most aggressive of the breed. They pulled inspiration from the Tacoma midsize pickup and the 4Runner SUV to give the vehicle a bolder appearance. The front end has a long overhang wearing an in-your-face Toyota grille that bears a strong family resemblance to its Toyota truck siblings. RAV4 Prime is available in both SE and top-of-the-line XSE grades complete with the requisite upscale touches.

Interior

Designers from both Nissan and Toyota went to extra lengths to improve the interior style of the two vehicles. In the Rogue Platinum, Nissan has delivered the most attractive, upscale interior in the segment. The Platinum trim includes quilted semi-aniline leather-covered “Zero Gravity” seats that are exceptionally comfortable and supportive. The electronic shifter eliminates the need for mechanical equipment underneath, enabling the creation of storage space below the new “floating” center console. In the rear a split one-touch fold-down seat with an available remote fold feature provides easy access to the cargo area, The liftgate is motion-activated and the cargo space is organized with a redesigned Divide-n-Hide system.

Toyota has upped the ante with its RAV4 interiors with touches that would seem right at home in a luxury brand SUV. At the wheel of a RAV4, we found it to offer a good driving position, broad sightlines, and intuitive control operation. The center console is equipped with a small storage area, and the side-by-side cupholders are very convenient. Dual-zone climate control is standard, and the upper-level versions of the model have SofTex faux leather-covered seats. The 60/40 split-reclining rear seat has a center armrest with cup holders, and it folds flat for cargo-loading. An available Premium Package includes perforated and ventilated SofTex front seats, head-up display, heated rear SofTex outboard seats, panoramic moonroof, and motion-operated power rear liftgate, among other features.

Infotainment & Displays

The 2021 RAV4 Prime offers a variety of infotainment and display features that include wireless smartphone charging, auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated garage door opener, and the largest multimedia screen in any RAV4 ever. The standard Audio Plus system comes with a 9-inch touchscreen while an available Premium Audio package includes integrated navigation and a powerful JBL speaker system.

The 2021 Rogue Platinum has a “floating” 9-inch touchscreen display that is supplemented by a full-color 10.8-inch head-up display and a 12.3-inch gauge cluster. The “floating” touchscreen provides navigation, audio display, climate information, rear-view camera system, and an available Intelligent Around View Monitor. The Rogue’s infotainment system has both Google Maps and Waze and operates via voice commands. One especially advantageous feature is wireless Apple CarPlay, which Nissan says will be available shortly after Rogue’s launch. A new wireless smartphone charger is located on the center console in front of the electronic shifter lever and twin cupholders. The console also has both USB Type-C and Type-A charging ports.

Powertrain

Of course, the Toyota RAV4 Prime’s plug-in hybrid powertrain is major differentiator between it and the conventional powertrain in the Nissan Rogue Platinum. The RAV4 Prime uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine teamed with three electric motors in its all-wheel-drive configuration. The gas engine produces 176 horsepower, while the electric motors contribute to the total system output of 302 horsepower. Powering the electric motors is a sizable lithium-ion battery pack that offers an electric-only driving range of around 40 miles. The EPA pegs its fuel economy as 94 MPGe. Using the available navigation system, the RAV4 Prime’s Predictive Efficient Drive system reads the road and learns driver patterns to optimize hybrid battery charging and discharging operations and it “gets smarter” as miles climb.

The 2021 Rogue Platinum certainly can’t match the RAV4 Prime’s level of powertrain sophistication, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a great deal to like about its driveline. In Platinum trim, it features a 2.5-liter DOHC direct-injection 4-cylinder engine. Horsepower is rated at 181, and torque is 181 lb.-ft. The engine features a mirror bore coating, a variable displacement oil pump, and an integrated exhaust manifold and e-VTC intake valve among other refinements. Its EPA estimated fuel economy is 28 mpg combined. The Rogue’s Vehicle Motion Control works in conjunction with the available all-wheel-drive system to provide individual control of each wheel, enhancing traceability through corners. It is particularly advantageous when driving on snow-covered roads with elevation changes, in deep snow, and during off-road adventures.

Electronic Safety Aids

The Toyota RAV4 features a comprehensive standard safety package called Toyota Safety Sense (TSS 2.0). Among the electronic driver and safety aids, it includes are Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, and automatic high beam operation. Lane Tracing Assist helps keep the vehicle in the center of the intended lane as it goes through corners, and Road Sign Assist helps you keep abreast of speed limits and road conditions. The final and perhaps most valuable TSS feature is Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. The XSE Premium Package adds Rear Cross Traffic Braking and Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automated Braking.

The Rogue Platinum’s answer is Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist, a hands-on driver-assist technology that combines steering assist and Intelligent Cruise Control to help manage acceleration, braking, and steering in both heavy traffic and on the open highway. ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link is standard on Rogue Platinum. It leverages with Nissan’s Door-to-Door Navigation System, using map data to reduce speed for upcoming freeway curves and junctions proactively and also help the driver slow for freeway exits.

Driving impression

Driving the Toyota RAV4 Prime is a delight because of its elevated driver’s position, excellent 360-degree visibility, reasonably short overall length, and high power and torque. It is in its element in urban traffic, yet is comfortable on freeways and interstates at speed. The RAV4 Prime weighs 600 lb. more than the Rogue Platinum, and at times you can feel that added weight but it is nicely offset by the RAV4 Prime’s significant horsepower advantage.

The Nissan Rogue Platinum is a comfortable, quiet, easy-to-maneuver vehicle that seems at least a bit sporty within the confines of its 181 horsepower. In all-wheel-drive trim, this impression is enhanced by the Vehicle Motion Control system that helps the driver “carve” through corners. On freeways and high-speed two-lanes it delivers a ride that is totally without drama, something we expect its drivers will appreciate.

Pricing & Value

So as we said as we began this piece, if you are looking at the top-of-the-line RAV4 and Rogue, you have choices to make. First, you have to decide if that added speed, acceleration, and fuel economy offered by the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime is worth a $5,000 premium over the Rogue Platinum. The all-wheel-drive Toyota RAV4 Prime has a suggested list price of $42,600, while an all-wheel-drive Platinum trim version of the Nissan Rogue has a suggested list of $37,925. Both are very satisfying vehicles that have shed the “cute ute” stereotype of their predecessors. The Rogue has Platinum has a terrific interior and easy-to-use infotainment, while the RAV4 Prime delivers an enticing combination of stellar fuel consumption and power. You really can’t go wrong with either.

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