A simple search of the 2021 Nissan Rogue or a trip to a Nissan Rogue dealer will quickly show you there are actually two options for the Rogue, the 2021 Rogue and 2021 Rogue Sport. When you look at these two SUVs side-by-side, it probably brings up a lot of questions about their differences. The 2021 Nissan Rogue and Rogue Sport are similar yet attract different audiences with their distinct differences. Let’s dive into what the key differences between the Rogue and Rogue Sport are.
A Few Basic Differences
Before we dive deep into the noteworthy differences between the 2021 Rogue and 2021 Rogue Sport, here are a few basic differences and distinctions. First, the 2021 Nissan Rogue and 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport are two separate vehicles, each with its own trim levels. Sometimes “Sport” is a trim level name for a vehicle, but in this case, the Rogue Sport paves its own way.
For pricing, the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is priced lower than the 2021 Nissan Rogue. There isn’t a major price gap, but it’s enough to make a difference to some buyers. Another notable difference is the fuel economy. The 2021 Nissan Rogue gets around 27 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway, whereas the 2021 Rogue Sport has an estimated 25 MPG in the city and 32 MPG on the highway.
A key vehicle component that drivers pay attention to is the cargo volume. There is a distinct difference between the two Nissan SUVs in this category. The 2021 Rogue has a maximum cargo volume of 74.1 cubic feet, and the 2021 Rogue Sport maxes out at 61.1 cubic feet. Pricing, fuel economy, and cargo volume are important to call out when discussing key differences between these two vehicles. Now, moving on to the bigger picture, we’ll get a better sense of what makes the Rogue and Rogue Sport unique.
Size
The biggest difference between the 2021 Nissan Rogue and the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is the size. Overall, the 2021 Rogue is a larger vehicle than the Rogue Sport. We see this mostly in the overall length, with the 2021 Rogue measuring out to 183 inches in overall length and the 2021 Rogue Sport at about 172.8 inches. Those extra inches in the Rogue are seen mostly in the cargo volume and rear legroom. The rear legroom in the 2021 Rogue is about 38.5 inches, and in the 2021 Rogue Sport legroom is around 33.4 inches.
In the Nissan SUV lineup, the Rogue Sport sits between the Rogue and the Nissan Kicks in regards to size. This should give a better picture of what to expect from the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport. Nissan notes the 2021 Rogue Sport is ideal for city driving and one or two passengers without much cargo need. The 2021 Rogue is more family-friendly, with extra cargo storage and comfortable rear seating. Beyond size, there are still key distinctions between the Rogue and Rogue Sport that are important to note.
Performance
If vehicle size is the biggest difference between the Rogue and Rogue Sport, engine and performance are a close second. The 2021 Rogue and 2021 Rogue Sport offer different engines that make a difference on everyday drives. In the 2021 Nissan Rogue, you’ll find a 2.5L engine that reaches 181 horsepower. For the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport, a smaller 2.0L engine with 141 horsepower is featured.
Despite the 2021 Rogue having a more powerful engine, it actually achieves better fuel efficiency than the 2021 Rogue Sport. Like we mentioned earlier, the 2021 Rogue gets a combined 30 MPG, and the 2021 Rogue sport achieves slightly less at a combined 28 MPG. Both are respectable, but the 2021 Nissan Rogue has the most efficiency.
Another key performance difference between these two Nissan SUVs is the 2021 Rogue offers five different drive modes. These drive modes help in almost any road condition and include sport, off-road, eco, snow, and auto. The 2021 Rogue Sport offers an eco mode that will maximize fuel efficiency when you need it most. The bottom line, the 2021 Nissan Rogue offers a more diverse performance experience while driving, which may appeal to a certain audience of drivers.
Technology
Nissan prides itself on offering a wide selection of standard technology. For the most part, the technology available in the 2021 Rogue and 2021 Rogue Sport is very similar. There are just a few key upgrades that are standard or available in the 2021 Nissan Rogue that you won’t find in the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport.
The 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport offers a standard 7-inch color touchscreen and a 5-inch instrument panel display. Inside the 2021 Nissan Rogue, there are more tech advancements available. Starting with the touchscreen, there’s a standard 8-inch touchscreen with a 9-inch touchscreen available on higher trim levels. The 2021 Rogue also features a 10.8-inch head-up display and a 12.3-inch digital dashboard gauge cluster.
Both the 2021 Rogue and 2021 Rogue Sport offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the 2021 Rogue has the wireless capability to connect a smartphone. The 2021 Nissan Rogue also offers wireless charging, keeping the interior wire-free. The 2021 Rogue Sport has charging capabilities, too, but through USB ports. Overall, the 2021 Nissan Rogue offers more advanced technology than the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport, but it should be noted the 2021 Rogue Sport doesn’t lack the basic technology people are looking for in their vehicle.
Safety & Driver Assist
Nissan is known for its popular safety suite – Nissan Safety Shield 360. This suite offers six standard safety features that are found in many of Nissan’s vehicles. Both the 2021 Nissan Rogue and 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport feature the standard Safety Shield 360. This is the first model year the Safety Shield 360 is standard in the 2021 Rogue Sport. Additional driver assist features are available in the 2021 Rogue and 2021 Rogue Sport.
A key upgrade available in the driver assist features that’s only available in the 2021 Nissan Rogue is the ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link. ProPILOT Assist uses Intelligent Cruise Control and steering assist to help with driving in stop-and-go traffic and on the highway. This feature is available in the 2021 Rogue Sport, but the recent upgrade that includes Navi-link is only available in the 2021 Rogue. ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link uses the same technology but adds in highway mapping to help detect and guide to off-ramps, track speed limit signs, and more. Drivers can also link this technology with the Rogue’s navigation system for extra support.
Which SUV Is Better for You?
While the 2021 Nissan Rogue clearly offers more performance, fuel efficiency, size, technology, and driver-assist features, that doesn’t mean the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport should be counted out. Nissan advertises the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport as the perfect vehicle for a single or couple who might typically be in the market for a sedan but wants something slightly larger. The ideal driver for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport may not need all of the advanced technology or features. A growing and busy family will probably find the larger 2021 Nissan Rogue is a better fit.
It’s important to understand the differences between the 2021 Nissan Rogue and the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport to give you a better picture of what Nissan has to offer. Whether you’re in the market for a new SUV or not, you’ll now have a greater understanding of what makes the Rogue and Rogue Sport unique. Differences don’t necessarily mean one is better than the other, just that they are designed for different purposes and that one will overall be the better option for you specifically.
