2021 GMC Acadia vs 2021 Nissan Rogue | Midsize SUV Comparison

The 2021 GMC Acadia and Nissan Rogue are two midsize SUVs well worth considering if you’re looking for a family-friendly vehicle with plenty of space in the cabin and power under the hood. If you’re finding it difficult to decide which one is best for you, try looking through our helpful comparison of these two SUVs’ best features.

Engine and Performance

The 2021 GMC Acadia offers you three engine options depending on your needs. The base four-cylinder engine is good for 190 horsepower and will satisfy most daily driving needs. If you plan on using your Acadia for towing or carrying heavy loads, or just want a bit more accelerating power, you may want to upgrade to the four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which generates 230 horsepower. The most powerful engine of the three is a V-6 that churns out 310 horsepower.

If SUV fuel efficiency is your top concern, the best option is the four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which manages 22 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. Even the powerful V-6 returns decent numbers, achieving 19 mpg on city roads and 27 mpg on the highway.

The only offering in the Rogue is a four-cylinder engine capable of generating 181 horsepower. Although this is less power than you’ll get from the Acadia’s two bigger engines, the Rogue does better when it comes to gas mileage. In its standard front-wheel-drive setup, it manages 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. Even if you opt for all-wheel drive, the numbers remain impressive: 26 MPG and 33 MPG, respectively.

Cargo and Seating

The Rogue has seating for five people. For a subcompact SUV, it stands out with ample legroom in the rear seats, making them suitable for adult passengers. Child seating is also easy to accommodate, with the two outermost rear seats featuring complete sets of LATCH connectors.

If both rows of seating are in use, you’ll have a roomy 31.6 cubic feet of storage in the back. This can be increased to over 36 cubic feet in the Rogue’s top trims, which come with an adjustable cargo floor.

In most configurations, the Acadia has three rows of seating with a maximum capacity of seven people. If you opt for captain’s chairs in the second row, the capacity drops to six. And if you choose the off-roading AT4 trim, the Acadia loses its third row of seating and has space for five people.

The second row is ideal for adult passengers with a substantial amount of legroom. The two outermost chairs in this row also have complete sets of LATCH connectors if you need to install child seating. Tether anchors are available in the third row for the same purpose.

The Acadia boasts 12.8 cubic feet of storage behind the third row. If you’re carrying more cargo, you can access over 41 cubic feet of space with the third row down.

Entertainment and Technology

The Acadia’s infotainment system is ideal for long drives, or helping you stay connected during a camping trip or day out. It features a wireless hotspot so all passengers can stay online, an eight-inch screen that’s in easy reach of the driver’s seat, and satellite radio. You’ll also find five USB ports throughout the cabin. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto enable everyone to link their phones with your SUV’s six-speaker stereo.

In the Rogue, an eight-inch infotainment screen comes standard. You also get Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and a four-speaker stereo. Passengers can link their phones to the entertainment system with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which are standard. If you’d like additional features, you can upgrade to a 10-speaker-premium stereo, a nine-inch touch screen, and a navigation system.

Other useful tech features include proximity keyless entry, which will make loading your Rogue a lot easier. Two automatic climate control options will also help you keep the cabin comfortable for everyone.

Safety and Driver Assistance

An expansive array of driver assistance technology comes standard with the Rogue, such as pedestrian and cyclist detection, forward collision warning, and forward and reverse automatic emergency braking. If you’re taking to the highway for a long drive, Nissan’s driver attention warning and lane departure warning systems will prove invaluable.

As for the Acadia, it achieved a five out of five star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It comes with several useful standard safety features, such as Teen Driver, which allows you to limit the speed and other features if you have a young family member learning to drive. If you want additional driver assistance technology, you can upgrade to access forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, a surround-view parking system, and adaptive cruise control.

Versatile Trims

Four trims are available with the 2021 Rogue: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. Since every Rogue has the same engine, the main differences between the trims are interior quality and comfort. Starting at just over $25,000, the S trim is a great option for a budget-conscious buyer in the market for a small SUV. The SL trim offers passengers a bit more luxury, with genuine leather upholstery and heated front seats. The top-of-the-range Platinum adds quilted leather seats, a nine-inch infotainment screen, and heated rear seats.

The Acadia’s five trims are SL, SLE, SLT, AT4, and Denali. With a retail starting price of just under $30,000, the SL trim proves that you can get a three-row SUV on a modest budget.

Off-roading fans should look to the AT4, which is equipped with the V-6 engine and an all-wheel-drive system that’s specifically designed to cope with rough terrain. The standard hill descent control will provide you with added security when the going gets rough. If you’re looking for luxury, the line-topping Denali features power-adjustable and ventilated front seats, and heated front- and second-row seats.

We hope this comparison of the 2021 GMC Acadia and Nissan Rogue has helped you in your SUV search. As you can see, the Acadia is well-suited to larger families or GMC buyers with a love of off-roading, whereas the Rogue does well on fuel efficiency and driver assistance technology. If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at #1 Cochran Buick-GMC Youngstown. Our auto sales team is waiting to help you get the buying process started.