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| One sedan and one crossover enter the ring. Who will leave with the cash crown? I'm gonna bet on the crossover, given that Nissan sells A LOT of Rogues every year vs. Lexus selling IS sedans. |
Both the 2021 Nissan Rogue and Lexus IS have been unveiled, so let’s talk about both a minute.
2021 Nissan Rogue
The 2021 Nissan Rogue is boxier
in its design overall. For some, this might be a plus, as this generally means
you have more interior space to work with along with a more “rugged” appearance.
I personally can dig the overall look besides the front. I’m not a fan of cars
that have a split headlight design (see: Pontiac Aztek, pre-2019 Jeep Cherokee,
most new Hyundai SUVs, etc.). Powering the 2021 Nissan Rogue is a 2.5L I4
engine paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This combo is good
for 181 HP and 181 lb-ft. of torque. I’m sure this means the Rogue won’t be a
rocket 0-60 at all, but it will have improvements of one to two MPGs according
to Nissan, and who doesn’t like getting 30 MPG? Trim levels will be S, SV, SL
and a new Platinum trim that has a 12.3-inch digital gauges and quilted leather
seats. Nissan’s ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous system is offered on the SL and
Platinum trims, but other ADAS such as blind-spot detection is standard even on
base models. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive will be offered.
Overall, its looking like the
Rogue will be an improvement on the outgoing model, which was definitely getting
old and drove basically like a wet sponge to me. I feel like Nissan should offer
their VC-Turbo engine on the new Rogue and a “sporty model” to go with it, like a
Rogue SR. A hybrid model wouldn’t hurt as well. The 2021 Nissan Rogue will go
on sale this fall.
2021 Lexus IS
With the Lexus GS bowing out
after 2020, the Lexus sedan lineup needed an injection of fresh sporty to keep
it viable. Enter the 2021 Lexus IS. More aggressive styling due to updated head
and taillights, as well as its grille helps the IS stand out more in its
segment. Engines are the same for 2021 and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive
will be offered. The base RWD IS300 has a 2.0L turbo I4 making 241 HP, the AWD
IS300 has a 260 HP version of the 3.5L V6 offered, and RWD and AWD IS350 models
have the 3.5L V6 that makes 311 HP. F-Sport models can only be had on the IS350
now and a Dynamic Handling package is new. For 2021, the IS gains an inch in
height and width as well as suspension and steering tuning changes. I’m glad to
hear about all of this, because from my experience, Lexus vehicles drove pretty
boring. Maybe this will liven things up. Other upgrades include standard
Android Auto/Apple CarPlay (finally), both the standard 8.0-inch infotainment screen
and optional 10.3-inch infotainment screen are now touchscreens (FINALLY AGAIN),
and upgraded driver assistance tech, such as automatic emergency braking and adaptive
cruise control that can read speed limits now.
The old IS was horribly outdated in a
segment that is losing ground to compact luxury crossovers. But this is a handsome
update, and I think it will help Lexus stay relevant and eat up customers that
might be sad of the GS’s imminent demise at the end of 2020. The new IS will also go on sale this fall.
Which of these cars are you most
interested in? Now, we just wait for the official reveal of the 2021 F-150 and
Bronco.
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