If you’re looking for a stylish and capable SUV, the Nissan lineup includes several appealing options. Depending on your needs, you may be interested in the 2021 Kicks or Rogue. Both offer an impressive list of standard and available features, along with efficient and capable engines beneath their respective hoods. Check out the differences between these two top-selling SUVs as you decide which one is the right option for your lifestyle.
Exterior Styling
From the outside, both the 2021 Nissan Kicks and the 2021 Nissan Rogue showcase impressive styling elements. One of the key differences between the two models is the size, as the Kicks fits into the subcompact crossover segment, while the Rogue is a compact crossover SUV.
Standard exterior features on the smaller Kicks S Trim include 16-inch steel wheels, automatic halogen headlights, and a chrome front grille. On the higher trims, you can get options like a rear roof spoiler, upgraded side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, a dark chrome grille, LED fog lights, larger 17-inch alloy wheels, and upgraded LED headlights. You’ll also notice that the Kicks is available with a two-tone paint job, which helps it stand out on the road.
With the base S trim of the 2021 Rogue, you get intelligent automatic highlights, LED headlights with Daytime Running Lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and LED taillights as standard. More standard features include a rear spoiler and UV-reducing solar glass. The Rogue comes in three additional trim levels, each of which has unique upgrades. The SV trim adds heated side mirrors with integrated LED turn signal indicators. The SL trim tacks on roof rails, 19-inch wheels, a motion-activated liftgate, and a dual-panel panoramic moonroof as standard features.
Power Beneath the Hood
The 2021 Kicks gets its power from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque. It pairs with a continuously variable transmission that powers the front wheels on all trims. EPA fuel economy estimates are 31 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway, or 33 mpg combined with front-wheel drive.
The 2021 Rogue includes a 2.5-liter 16-valve four-cylinder engine that produces 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. It pairs with a continuously variable transmission that sends power to the front wheels. According to the EPA, the fuel economy estimates for this small SUV come in at 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. These numbers translate to 30 mpg combined, making this one of the more efficient SUVs in the segment. All-wheel drive drops each estimate by one mpg.
Interior Sizing
Both models boast well-equipped cabins with seating for five and appealing tech and comfort features. The Kicks offers 40.4 inches of headroom and 43.7 inches of legroom for those in the front, plus 38.5 inches of headroom and 33.5 inches of legroom in the rear. By contrast, the Rogue provides 41.1 inches of headroom and 43.3 inches of legroom in the front row, with 39.2 inches of headroom and 38.5 inches of legroom in the second row. If you frequently transport passengers in your second row, it may be worth opting for the larger Rogue.
The Rogue’s cargo area offers 36.5 cubic feet of space with the second row up, while the Kicks’ cargo area comes in at 25.3 cubic feet behind its second row. Folding down the second row increases the Rogue’s cargo space to 74.1 cubic feet and the cargo area in the Kicks to 32.3 cubic feet.
Cabin and Tech Features
Climb into the base S trim model of the 2021 Kicks to find standard comfort features like cloth upholstery, manual climate control, and manually adjustable front seats. This trim also includes a 7-inch touch screen and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay as standard features. The mid-level SV trim includes upgraded features like automatic climate control, keyless entry, remote ignition, and a central armrest console that sits between the two front seats. This trim level also adds satellite radio and a larger 8-inch touch screen.
At the top of the list, the Kicks SR trim includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, plus sporty front seats. You can add a package that bundles a cargo cover, a heated steering wheel, a premium sound system, simulated leather upholstery, and heated front seats.
The Rogue S trim gives you interior features like a four-speaker sound system, an 8-inch touch screen, a USB port, a USB-C port, satellite radio, and smartphone integration. The SV trim includes two additional speakers in the sound system, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and dual-zone climate control. A similar package is available with this trim, and it includes simulated leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and second-row sunshades.
Those options come standard on the SL trim, along with leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a power passenger seat. This trim adds a dual-panel cargo floor for extra storage space. You have the option to include a Bose sound system, a 9-inch touch screen, navigation, and wireless Apple CarPlay functionality with the SL trim. The top Platinum trim adds heated rear seats, upgraded leather upholstery, and wireless device charging.
Premium Safety
Every model of the 2021 Kicks and 2021 Rogue has an impressive suite of safety equipment. The standard package bundles forward-collision mitigation, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with Rear Automatic Braking, blind-spot monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, and a rear-passenger safe exit system. Stepping up one trim level on each model adds adaptive cruise control and a drowsy driver attention monitor. You can also outfit the Rogue with front and rear parking sensors and a Head-Up Display.
Pricing
Although both the Kicks and Rogue are affordable options in their respective segments, the Kicks has a lower starting price point. Its base price ($19,600) is $6,450 lower than the base trim level of the Rogue ($26,050).
At Nissan of Streetsboro, we have 2021 Nissan Rogue and 2021 Nissan Kicks models in stock and ready for you to test drive. Our helpful and friendly sales staff can also answer any questions you might have and assist with financing and other needs. Come and visit us today to experience these two appealing models in the Nissan lineup.
Connect with us
