2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Honda Odyssey

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trim levels, offered a straightforward choice with a single engine and transmission combination, and the option of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Our test car, an SL trim with front-drive, included the SL Premium Package, carpeted floor and cargo mats, and a first-aid kit, totaling $34,870 with destination charges. Despite its age, the Rogue remained attractive, featuring a bold V-Motion grille and exaggerated fender swells. The SL’s 19-inch aluminum wheels added to its appeal.

Inside, the Rogue’s age showed more clearly. The waterfall control panel and rounded interior forms felt dated compared to modern designs favoring wide, horizontal, angular motifs. The plastic surfaces were unimpressive, though the padded sides of the center console were a thoughtful touch for driver comfort.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, with a styling theme dating back a decade, received minor updates for the new model year. The grille and front bumper were new, and all trim levels came with standard LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. A new gloss black spear with a chrome insert stretched the width of the taillights, and new wheel designs debuted for the top three trims. These tweaks modernized the Odyssey by reducing brightwork.

Buyers could choose from five trim levels: LX, EX, EX-L, Touring, and Elite, with base prices ranging from $31,790 to $47,820, excluding destination charges. Our test vehicle, a Lunar Silver Metallic Elite trim, was priced at $48,940, including destination charges. New for 2021, the Elite trim featured perforated leather upholstery with contrast stitching and piping, and new dashboard ambient lighting, giving it an upscale look and feel. Most 2021 Odyssey models received seating material and design improvements, and new tri-color floor mats better hid dirt.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came with a single engine and transmission option: a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Weighing up to 3,671 pounds, the Rogue’s powertrain was merely adequate. While the CVT made the most of the available power, the Rogue struggled during freeway acceleration, passing slower vehicles, and climbing grades, often responding with noise rather than action.

Fuel economy was another disappointment. The EPA estimated 29 mpg in combined driving for FWD versions, but our testing yielded no better than 24.9 mpg. However, the Rogue’s ride and handling were improved by brake-induced technologies like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, which helped with cornering and smoothing out road imperfections. Despite these features, the Rogue SL, with its 19-inch wheels, wasn’t particularly fun to drive, suffering from lifeless steering, poor suspension isolation, and occasional CVT drone.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine and a ten-speed automatic transmission, delivered 280 horsepower to the front wheels. The drivetrain included Normal, Sport, Econ, and Snow driving modes, along with paddle shifters. The V6 and automatic transmission provided smooth, effortless power, and the engine’s variable cylinder management helped conserve fuel. The EPA estimated 22 mpg in combined driving, and our testing averaged 21.8 mpg.

While AWD was unavailable, the Odyssey featured a new electronic brake booster, enhancing the adaptive cruise control’s stop-and-go capability in heavy traffic and improving brake pedal feel and response. The Odyssey’s ride and handling were enjoyable, with perfectly weighted steering, a firm but comfortable ride, and well-managed body motions. However, the brakes didn’t withstand much abuse, heating up and fading during a Southern California heatwave test.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s interior space was a mixed bag. The seats, though somewhat undersized, featured Nissan’s Zero Gravity cushion designs and Quick Comfort heating. However, taller drivers struggled to find a comfortable position due to limited seat height adjustment. Rear passengers fared better, with high seat cushions, excellent thigh support, and a proper backrest angle. The panoramic glass sunroof and rear air conditioning vents added to the rear seat’s appeal.

In-cabin storage was lacking, with only the glove compartment offering significant space. However, cargo volume was a strong point, with 39 cubic feet of space behind the back seat, underfloor storage compartments, and a standard Divide-n-Hide cargo management system.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey offered legible instrumentation, logical controls, and ample storage. The 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, standard in all but the base LX trim, was comfortable, featuring inboard adjustable armrests. The Elite trim added a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, though passengers didn’t seem to mind.

Storage space was excellent, with the Elite’s wireless smartphone charger taking up some room on the center console’s top tray. The Magic Slide second-row seat layout, available in all but the base LX trim, allowed for various seating configurations, enhancing versatility. The third-row seats accommodated both children and adults comfortably.

Cargo space behind the third-row seat measured 32.8 cubic feet, expanding to 88.8 cubic feet with the third-row seat tumbled into the cargo well. The maximum volume was 144.9 cubic feet. However, to use the maximum cargo volume, the second-row seats had to be physically removed, which was not particularly enjoyable.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s infotainment system included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Upgrades included SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation with door-to-door assistance, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services. Subscription-based NissanConnect Services offered features like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, remote engine starting, and safe teen driver settings.

Despite the sophisticated features, the NissanConnect interface was disappointing. The 7-inch touchscreen with a recessed display felt outdated, and the system’s slow response to inputs and subpar voice-recognition technology detracted from the overall experience.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey, starting with EX trim, featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink connectivity, and a Cabin Control smartphone app. Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription service plans, WiFi capability, a CabinWatch interior camera, and a CabinTalk in-vehicle PA system. Elite trim included an 11-speaker premium sound system, multi-zone listening options, and wireless smartphone charging.

Touring and Elite trims offered HondaLink Security, Remote, and Concierge subscription plans, providing features like automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, safe teen driver functions, and Key by Amazon in-vehicle package delivery service. However, the lack of a tuning knob and subpar voice-recognition technology were notable drawbacks.

Touring and Elite trims also included a rear-seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen, Blu-Ray disc player, wireless headphones, and built-in streaming apps. However, the lack of a touchscreen disappointed some users.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s safety features were extensive but left room for improvement. The standard Safety Shield 360 collection included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features 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 capability.

However, the Rogue’s crash-test ratings were less impressive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Rogue a 4-star overall rating, with a dismal 3-star rating for driver protection in a frontal-impact collision. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also noted issues with the Rogue’s headlights and front-passenger protection.

The 2021 Honda Odyssey improved its already impressive safety features for 2021. The Honda Sensing collection, now standard with base LX trim, included low-speed follow capability for adaptive cruise control, pedestrian braking, road-sign recognition, and a new Honda Sensing menu button for easy access to ADAS settings. However, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning required upgrading to EX trim.

The Odyssey’s ADAS worked accurately but could be smoother. The adaptive cruise control sometimes applied too much or uneven braking, and the lane-departure warning system wobbled the steering wheel instead of vibrating it. The Odyssey’s structural integrity remained unchanged, with top five-star ratings from the NHTSA for all assessments except rollover resistance, which earned a four-star score.