2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, particularly in its Premier trim, was outfitted with a slew of features that emphasized its luxury and sportiness. At a price tag of $40,040, the test vehicle included a more powerful engine, all-wheel drive (AWD), and a power panoramic sunroof, among other niceties. Despite its hefty cost, Chevrolet often baked expected rebates and incentives into this number, sometimes knocking off substantial amounts from the sticker price.

The Equinox Premier boasted a clean design devoid of exaggerated SUV styling. It looked especially appealing when perched on the 19-inch wheels that came with the turbocharged engine. Gray contrast cladding lined the SUV’s lower perimeter, giving it a shorter visual height. Roof rails and extra chrome detailing further marked its top-tier trim status.

Inside, the cabin featured Jet Black and Brandy leather, complemented by a panoramic glass sunroof and polished metallic accent trims. This high-contrast cabin appeared upscale at first glance. Nevertheless, the extensive use of hard and shiny plastics toned down the premium feel, a sentiment exacerbated by its $40,000 price point which began with a daunting '4'.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue adopted a more traditional SUV look with a touch of ruggedness. Its new styling, featuring dark gray plastic cladding on the lower perimeter and bold simulated skid plates, gave it a striking and robust presence, particularly on the back bumper. The clean LED lighting elements, prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned build lent the Rogue a modern look. Trims came with aluminum wheels up to 19 inches, and an optional two-tone paint job with a black roof added a custom flair.

Four trims were available: Rogue S, Rogue SV, Rogue SL, and the new Rogue Platinum. The basic S trim started at $25,650, while the top Platinum trim featured luxurious touches like semi-aniline quilted leather. The tested SL trim included extras like a panoramic sunroof and a cargo area protection package, though it totaled to $35,195 with these additions.

The Rogue’s interior embraced light and bright elements with an Almond leather interior, soft-touch surfaces, and appealing simulated wood trim. The design emphasized improved roominess, and the controls were logically arranged. The upscale feel reached premium levels in the Platinum trim, with features like quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting standing out.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered two engine choices. Most customers found the standard turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine sufficient, delivering 170 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 203 pound-feet of torque between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm. This engine was paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission, driving either the front or all four wheels. The rented LS trim with AWD averaged 24.3 mpg, falling short of the EPA’s 28 mpg combined rating.

For those craving more power or needing to utilize the Equinox’s towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, the 2.0-liter turbo engine was the go-to option. It delivered 252 hp at 5,500 rpm and 260 lb-ft of torque between 2,500 and 4,500 rpm. This engine was paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission, available in both FWD and AWD. The Premier version with this engine achieved an average of 22.1 mpg, slightly under the EPA rating of 24 mpg combined.

The Equinox rode firmly and connected, but suffered from noticeable road and wind noise. The LS trim, with its smaller 17-inch wheels and thicker tires, proved more maneuverable in urban environments and provided a smoother ride. In contrast, the Premier’s 19-inch wheels and 235/50 tires made it feel more responsive and enjoyable on winding roads, with well-controlled body motions and natural steering and braking.

Critics noted that the 2021 Nissan Rogue needed more power, weighing nearly 3,500 pounds but offering only one engine choice: a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. The CVT transmission managed the available torque well, and paddle shifters were included, though seldom used.

Despite its power limitations, the Rogue excelled in off-road capabilities with its AWD, 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes. However, on mountain roads, the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter felt drained of its energy. The vehicle’s Standard driving mode could be switched to Sport for better responsiveness, and an Eco drive mode was available for those interested in a potential future hybrid variant.

Fuel economy was respectable, with the tested Rogue SL FWD managing 27.5 mpg, slightly under its EPA rating by 1.5 mpg. Nissan’s emphasis on chassis dynamics showed through the Rogue’s well-tuned ride and handling, facilitated by a strong new architecture using 35% high-strength steel and a robust suspension setup. Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control added to the driving satisfaction.

The standout feature was the Rogue’s new steering system. The electric assist moved from the steering column to the steering rack with a quickened ratio. These tweaks, combined with fine-tuning, resulted in significantly improved steering feel over its predecessor.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox focused on comfort and versatility. The rented LS model had durable cloth upholstery and a Convenience Package with a 10-way power driver’s seat. The upscale Premier trim featured leather seats, an 8-way power passenger seat, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. Comfort was good across both trims, although they could benefit from longer seat cushions for better thigh support.

The Equinox’s sliding rear seat was a valuable feature, enhancing either passenger or cargo space as needed. Maximum legroom was achieved with the seat retracted, comfortably accommodating two adults or three children. Rear vents and USB ports added to passenger comfort. Cargo volume, however, was modest for its class, offering 29.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 63.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Strategic storage solutions, including a spacious center console and various bins and trays, enhanced its practicality.

In comparison, the 2021 Nissan Rogue aimed for zero-gravity seat comfort, with significant upgrades in the latest model. The base S trim had manual adjustments and cloth seats, while higher trims added power adjustments and leather upholstery. The Platinum trim enjoyed premium leather. Heating options for the seats and steering wheel were available up the trim ladder, though ventilation wasn’t.

Triple-zone climate control featured in the SL and Platinum trims, with rear-seat control and standard rear air conditioning vents. Rear-seat comfort improved, with increased headroom and legroom, nearly 90-degree opening rear doors, and the back seat comfortably accommodating both kids and adults. With new LATCH anchors and a rear-seat reminder system, the Rogue was family-friendly.

Nissan also prioritized noise reduction, with aerodynamic improvements and acoustic glass. Storage included a convenient tray under the center console, sizable door-panel pockets, and a center armrest with a split opening.

In terms of cargo capacity, the Rogue slighted edged out the Equinox. The Rogue S and SV supplied 31.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum trims with the Divide-N-Hide system. Maximum cargo volume was 74.1 cubic feet with the seats down, surpassing the Equinox’s total.

The 2020 Chevrolet Equinox offered a range of infotainment systems, all featuring 7 or 8-inch touchscreens with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A 4G LTE WiFi hotspot and Chevrolet Connected Access services were standard. Higher trims enjoyed a high-definition display, cloud connectivity, improved voice recognition, satellite radio, navigation, and a Bose premium sound system.

The Premier’s advanced setup boasted an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen and a Bose sound system, enhancing the tech experience. Wireless smartphone charging and a rear-seat entertainment system were additional options, although the latter’s cost might deter some buyers.

For 2021, the Nissan Rogue's infotainment package was competitive. Even the base S trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system had practical physical knobs for volume and tuning, though their small size made them less user-friendly.

Climbing the trim levels introduced NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration. NissanConnect Services featured remote engine start, vehicle tracking, and more. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose audio system. The Platinum also included wireless charging, a digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display, enhancing its tech credentials.

Safety was paramount in the 2020 Chevrolet Equinox, equipped standard with Chevy Safety Assist. This bundle included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, a safe following distance monitor, and automatic high-beam headlights. A reversing camera and a rear-seat reminder system, along with Teen Driver technology, were standard additions.

Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, and a Safety Alert Seat. The Equinox earned top safety ratings: a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and 5-star ratings from the NHTSA in all tests except rollover resistance, where it received 4 stars.

In 2021, the Nissan Rogue emphasized safety with its Nissan Safety Shield 360. This collection of ADAS included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and more. Instead of adaptive cruise control, it included a blind-spot warning, a smart choice given its effectiveness.

The Rogue boasted ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder. Platinum trims included an airbag between the front seats for added protection. Starting with the Rogue SV, ProPilot Assist became standard, upgrading to include lane-centering assistance and improved radar and camera accuracy. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim also featured ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology for enhanced navigation-based speed adjustments.

While crash-test results were pending for the new Rogue, the enhanced use of high-strength steel and efficient crash energy deflection suggested strong safety performance.