2020 Acura RDX vs 2020 Nissan Rogue

The 2020 Acura RDX shared many design elements with its 2019 predecessor, with virtually no notable differences between the two. This consistency was an advantage, as the RDX had established itself as one of the best-looking vehicles in its segment. The prominent and imposing grille, coupled with rakish headlights, marked a departure from the less appealing “beak” grille of earlier years. A notable design element was the massive Acura logo set within the grille, which, though oversized, complemented the overall styling. The RDX's character lines contributed to its sophisticated look, with the upper line sweeping from the windshield to the rear hatch, intersected by another line from the rear windows that suggested a large spoiler.

The interior carried forward the sharp, precise styling. Red leather upholstery, reminiscent of BMW’s M vehicles, added an eye-catching contrast in the red-and-black interior. Standard features were abundant, including synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats with 12-way power adjustability, a power moonroof, and a 10.2-inch infotainment screen, among others.

Specific packages offered upgrades: the Technology Package included Milano leather seating, 19-inch wheels, and more driver-assistance features. The A-Spec Package included unique 20-inch wheels, upgraded exhaust outlets, LED fog lights, a diamond-pattern grille, UltraSuede upholstery, and sport pedals. The Advance Package boasted features like 16-way power front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and Olive Ash wood trim. Despite the range of available packages, the base trim already offered outstanding value.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue was available in S, SV, and SL trims, with a single engine and transmission choice, and optional FWD or AWD. The tested SL trim featured the SL Premium Package, carpeted floor and cargo mats, and a first-aid kit, with a total cost of $34,870. The exterior featured an eye-catching but slightly aged design, with a bold V-Motion grille and exaggerated fender swells. The SL trim’s 19-inch aluminum wheels added to its appeal.

However, opening the Rogue’s door revealed its age more clearly. The waterfall control panel and rounded interior forms were dated compared to modern design trends favoring wider, more angular motifs. Additionally, some plastic surfaces were unimpressive. On the plus side, the padded sides of the center console added a touch of comfort for the driver’s legs.

Each RDX variant was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This significant power output facilitated strong acceleration, from a standstill and while overtaking on highways, accompanied by an appealing engine note. Power distribution was managed via a 10-speed automatic transmission, available in FWD or the Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive (SH-AWD) system. The transmission excelled in both performance driving and fuel economy. The Integrated Dynamics System allowed drivers to choose between Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport-Plus modes, which adjusted throttle response, shift patterns, and steering feel.

Despite some awkwardly large controls on the dash, such as the overly prominent drive-mode dial and unconventional shifter buttons, the overall driving experience was positive. The A-Spec model tested yielded an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The vehicle provided excellent acceleration with minimal turbo lag and combined city and highway driving observed fuel economy around 22.2 mpg, with consistent premium fuel usage.

The RDX excelled in balancing agile handling with a comfortable ride, standing out in its class.

The 2020 Rogue was equipped with a single 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Although there was a Sport driving mode, the Rogue was inherently not sporty. The CVT could make the most out of the engine's power during everyday driving but failed to impress during high-demand situations like freeway merging or overtaking.

Fuel economy did not meet expectations set by the EPA’s 29 mpg combined for FWD versions, with real-world testing resulting in approximately 24.9 mpg. The Rogue incorporated Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control to enhance handling and ride quality, but the electrically assisted steering lacked feel, and the CVT could drone under load.

The RDX pushed the boundaries of the compact SUV classification with its spacious cabin. It featured comfortable and supportive front seats with ample head- and legroom. Instrumental storage solutions included large door pockets, a center console with storage beneath a retractable panel, and a pass-through cargo tray beneath the shifter console. The rear seats offered good headroom and reasonable legroom plus a fold-down center console with cup holders.

The cargo space was commendable, boasting 29.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 58.9 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The area was easily accessible, with a liftable panel on the load floor revealing hidden storage.

The Rogue’s interior was less accommodating for taller or larger drivers. Despite the normally excellent Nissan Zero Gravity seat design, adjusting for an ideal driving position was difficult. Front cabin storage was limited, with the glove compartment offering substantial space.

In contrast, the rear seats were quite comfortable, offering stadium-style seating with good thigh support and a suitable backrest angle. Rear passengers benefited from excellent visibility, thanks to a panoramic glass sunroof, rear air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports.

The Rogue excelled in cargo capacity with 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats, surpassing competitors like the Mazda CX-5. It included convenient underfloor storage compartments and a Divide-n-Hide system for cargo management.

The RDX’s infotainment system was a weak point. Although it featured a vivid widescreen display, it was hampered by an unwieldy touchpad interface. This True Touchpad Interface required constant visual checks to ensure correct selections, undermining ease of use. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, the touchpad hindered their simplicity.

Standard tech included Bluetooth, two USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, a 9-speaker audio system, and satellite radio. The Technology Package enhanced connectivity with additional USB ports, navigation, and the impressive ELS premium audio system. The A-Spec and Advance Packages upgraded to the ELS Studio 3D system with 16 speakers and added a 10.5-inch head-up display and more.

The Rogue offered a comprehensive list of infotainment features, but their usability was subpar. Every Rogue came with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, complemented by various upgrades like SiriusXM, navigation, and a Bose premium sound system. NissanConnect Services added a host of subscription-based features, integrating Alexa, Google Assistant, remote access, and a car finder function.

However, the NissanConnect interface felt dated with a 7-inch touchscreen that was slow to respond and visually underwhelming. Frustration was heightened by imprecise map zooming and substandard voice recognition technology.

The RDX came with a comprehensive array of safety features, including various airbags, LATCH systems for child seats, tire pressure monitoring, hill-start assist, and a rear-view camera. Standard driver-assistance technologies included lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, road-departure mitigation, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams.

The Technology Package added parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring, while the Advance Package further included a head-up display, 360-degree camera, and a rear-view camera washer. The RDX’s safety was validated by a 5-star NHTSA rating and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.

The Rogue’s Safety Shield 360 compiled multiple advanced driver-assistance features standard, like forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. The vehicle also included a Rear Door Alert and a Tire Fill Alert system.

Optional features included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control with lane-centering. However, the Rogue’s safety ratings were outdated, with the NHTSA awarding a 4-star overall rating and the IIHS noting issues with front-passenger protection and headlights.