Compact SUVs are popular, and both the Mazda CX-5 and Nissan Rogue feature in various top 10 lists.  The spirit of both automakers shines through both the CX-5 and the Rogue. Nissan has built high-quality, affordable cars and trucks for a long time. Building an efficient and practical small SUV comes naturally to Nissan. Mazda, known for Zoom-Zoom and the Miata, has always had a knack for infusing everything it touches with a little extra driving fun.

Do you want to know how the 2021 Mazda CX-5 compares to the 2021 Nissan Rogue? And why are these compact SUVs so highly rated? Here is our review of the 2021 Mazda CX-5 vs Nissan Rogue to help you decide between the two.

2021 Mazda CX-5 vs Nissan Rogue Differences

What are the biggest differences between the 2021 Mazda CX-5 and Nissan Rogue? While the Rogue was redesigned for 2021, the CX-5 predictably has more zip and is more fun to corner. Here are the highlights:

• The CX-5 comes standard with more power and offers a turbocharger.
• The Roque has more cargo capacity.
• The CX-5's powertrain is quieter, and the ride is smoother.
• The Rogue must come with a CVT and offers only one engine option.
• The Rogue's redesign is aesthetically pleasing, but it includes more plastic and lacks the elegance of the Mazda's interior.
• The CX-5 comes with more standard safety features and better standard safety equipment.

More about the CX-5's safety system: Every CX-5 comes with adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and blind-spot warning. For its safety features, the CX-5 is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick Plus, and it earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

Mazda CX-5 vs Nissan Rogue: Price and Trim Level

The entry-level CX-5 Sport begins a little cheaper than the base Rogue S: $25,370 versus $25,850.

In total, seven trims are available for the 2021 Mazda CX-5. The Signature, for $37,505, adds rear emergency braking, a 360-degree camera system, and a driver alertness monitor. The Carbon Edition Turbo, starting at $30,760 for FWD, is the most affordable way to get the turbo engine.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue comes in four trims: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. The S comes standard with an 8" infotainment screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, high beam assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The SV adds a power driver's seat, Sirius XM, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The SL includes leather and the Platinum (at $35,630) adds an HUD.

Mazda CX-5 vs Nissan Rogue: Performance

The Rogue comes with only one engine option: a naturally aspirated 181 horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The CX-5 also comes with a 2.5-liter I4, but the standard version provides 187 horsepower. Every CX-5 comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, appreciated by reviewers for being sporty and responsive. The Rogue only comes with a continuously variable transmission, which drivers often find to be sluggish and noisier than expected.

The Carbon Edition Turbo, Grand Touring Reserve, and Signature models all get the turbo upgrade. Now the CX-5 has 227 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. It will get from zero to 60 in 6.1 seconds. Plus, it sits on a Mazda-built and tuned chassis. It drives like one of our sports sedans, eager to cut into corners and razor-sharp on windy roads.

Mazda CX-5 Lease Deals Near Salt Lake City, UT

Mazda CX-5 vs Nissan Rogue: Exterior

An unfortunate side effect of the explosion of compact SUVs is that they all seem to suffer from convergent design evolution. Built for the same purpose, they all look the same. Any mall parking lot proves this point. The Nissan is a quality representative of the segment, but it doesn't catch the eye in a sea of monochrome automotive appliances.

Fortunately, Mazda builds nothing to be ordinary. Standing still, all of its cars communicate motion. The CX-5 features a sculpted body with a faceted waistline. Viewed in profile, it's angular without being edgy. It looks as sporty as it drives. Every Mazda is designed with Kodo (the "soul of motion") in mind, so no one mistakes one for anything else.

Mazda CX-5 vs Nissan Rogue: Interior

The Rogue's 2021 redesign was carried out with the family in mind. It features an 8-inch infotainment screen and a sharply modern dash. Nissan's Zero Gravity seats borrow design from NASA and have many fans. It has notably more cargo space: 74.1 cubic feet with all seats folded down compared to 60 cubic feet for the CX-5.

The CX-5 is lauded for having some of the nicest interior materials in the class. Reviewers compare the solidity of the switchgear, including the rotary controller for infotainment, to luxury competitors. The Signature trim includes Nappa leather and real wood trim, which are difficult to find in this price range. Center stage on every CX-5 is the 10.25-inch information screen, customizable to show you what you need to know, where you need it.

Discover the Mazda CX-5 near Bountiful, UT

If you're commuting to Salt Lake City, scooting the kids to school, or escaping to Summit Park for the weekend, you might love a compact SUV. You have many choices, and we're biased at Bountiful Mazda, but it's hard to do better than the CX-5. It has smashing good looks. It has a higher-quality interior than the competition while being infinitely more fun to drive.

Thank you for taking the time to visit Bountiful Mazda online. We aim to make your internet shopping experience as smooth and informative as a visit to our showroom. We hope you've learned a bit about our 2021 Mazda CX-5 selection. Nothing replaces a seat behind the wheel and a spirited drive, however.

And after visiting us online, contact us and take the time to stop by the Bountiful Mazda dealership in person. Find out why we win the President's Club Award and Gold Cup Award year after year. We're confident you'll return to Bountiful Mazda not only for the metal but also for the service. Speak with one of our client advisors and take a test drive. Find out why the 2021 Mazda CX-5 outperforms the others, including the Nissan Rogue.