In the mid-size SUV world, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 is the unrivaled champion. But a new contender, the updated 2021 Nissan Rogue, just entered the ring. The Toyota RAV4 might be a little worried because the Nissan Rogue provides a value-packed punch. 

The 2021 Nissan Rogue vs. the 2021 Toyota RAV4 

According to Motor Trend, you should choose the 2021 Nissan Rogue over the 2021 Toyota RAV4. To put things simply, the Nissan Rogue includes more value and is a better well-rounded option for the price. 

You can get started in a Nissan Rogue for about $25,850, and the Toyota RAV4 begins at around $26,350. But the Motor Trend team has the Rogue SL AWD for $36,705 and the RAV4 Limited AWD for $40,351. The Rogue provides a lot more value despite being about $4,000 cheaper. 

Does the Rogue or RAV4 have a better interior? 

Despite making its debut in 2019, the Toyota RAV4 still has a modern and elegant interior. Toyota provided tons of attention to detail to deliver convenience and an upscale feel with soft-touch materials and chrome accents. 

But the 2021 Toyota RAV4 feels rugged, and this may not be a positive feature for everyone. There is rubbery, grippy material on the doors and center-stack knobs. This could provide a lower sense of quality. 

The 2021 Nissan Rogue kicks things up a notch with a blend of convenience and luxury. The soft-touch materials and plush supportive seats are incredibly comfortable. The wide-opening rear doors make entry, exiting, and installing car seats easy. 

With the Rogue, you’ll find a flexible cargo area with build-in dividers and a two-level cargo floor for organizing your gears. Plus, there are controls in the rear to automatically fold the seats down. 

Does the RAV4 or Rogue provide more features? 

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Limited AWD comes with tons of goodies such as LED headlights, a power liftgate, a panoramic glass roof, wireless phone charging, an 11-speaker upgraded sound system, 360-degree camera, and heated and ventilated seats. But the power passenger seat is missing. 

With the 2021 Nissan Rogue SL AWD, you get a panoramic moonroof, a 360-degrees camera, and that power passenger seat. You also get rear-seat climate controls and a 9-inch infotainment system. The RAV4 comes with an 8-inch unit. 

For an extra $1,000, you can gain the Rogue Platinum trim. It’s still less than the RAV4 and includes quilted leather seats, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a few more convenience features. 

The RAV4 may have a noisier interior, but the Rogue may provide a firmer ride. Both SUVs are incredibly similar in terms of space, acceleration, and fuel economy. Also, the RAV4 has safer crash test ratings across the board. 

We recommend test-driving both options to see which SUV better suits your personal needs. The Toyota RAV4 is currently the class-leading option, but the Nissan Rogue serves as an underdog that offers a little more customer convenience. The RAV4 should be watching its back as the competition catches up.