2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Nissan Rogue

The 2020 Nissan Rogue was available in three trim levels: S, SV, and SL, each offering a single engine and transmission combination with an option between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). Our review unit was an SL trim with FWD, the SL Premium Package, carpeted floor and cargo mats, and a first-aid kit, coming in at $34,870, including a $1,095 destination fee.

Despite its age, the 2020 Rogue remained an attractive vehicle. The bold V-Motion grille was perhaps a bit much, and the fender flares seemed exaggerated, but the overall design—especially on the SL with its 19-inch aluminum wheels—was appealing. Upon entering the vehicle, the Rogue's age showed. The waterfall control panel on the dashboard and the suite of rounded forms had styling reminiscent of older themes when newer vehicles were trending towards wide, horizontal, angular motifs. The interior plastic surfaces didn’t exude quality, although the sides of the center console were thoughtfully padded for the comfort of drivers’ legs.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue entered the market with a fresh, rugged, and more technical appearance, aligning it more closely with SUV aesthetics rather than car-like looks. Wrapped in dark gray plastic cladding around its lower perimeter, the bold skid plates and lower door protection added to its rugged impression, albeit with a somewhat audacious rear bumper. The LED lighting, prominent V-Motion grille, and updated proportions lent the 2021 Rogue a much more modern and pleasing aesthetic.

Offered in four trims—S, SV, SL, and the new Platinum—the 2021 model offered aluminum wheels up to 19 inches in diameter. Opting for the two-tone paint with a black roof further enhanced the SUV’s modern and custom look. Our test vehicle, an SL with the Premium Package and additional paint costs, came out to $35,195, including the destination fee.

Inside, our Almond color leather interior and the panoramic glass sunroof made the cabin brighter and more spacious. Soft-touch materials, chic simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars enhanced the interior quality. The 2021 Rogue’s controls were arranged logically and cleanly, contributing to an upscale atmosphere, especially in the Platinum trim with its quilted leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting. The design was slightly marred by the climate control display's dated, digital clock-like appearance, but the inclusion of modern amenities like wireless Apple CarPlay balanced it out.

For 2020, the Nissan Rogue featured a single engine and transmission setup—a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This powertrain, although functional, struggled to adequately power the vehicle, especially under load or during aggressive driving tasks like freeway merging, passing, or climbing grades. The CVT tried to make the best of the limited power, but often resulted in noise rather than action.

The Rogue’s EPA-rated fuel economy was 29 mpg in combined driving for FWD models, but real-world testing yielded only 24.9 mpg, which was disappointing. The vehicle’s ride and handling benefitted from brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control technologies, which aimed to improve cornering and smoothness. However, despite riding on 19-inch wheels, the Rogue SL lacked driving excitement. The electrically-assisted steering felt heavy and lifeless, and the CVT drone, along with subpar suspension isolation, made for a less enjoyable driving experience.

In comparison, the 2021 Nissan Rogue came with a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. Though this was slightly more powerful than its predecessor, it still felt inadequate for the vehicle’s nearly 3,500-pound curb weight. The CVT, while decent, couldn’t make up for the power deficit, although it featured programmed ratios to mimic a traditional automatic and included paddle shifters, which were largely unnecessary.

Nissan’s 2021 model was better suited for light off-roading and adventuring, thanks to AWD, up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes. Despite lacking enough power, the 2021 Rogue promised improved future offerings, potentially integrating a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine.

Fuel economy tracked closer to the EPA estimate, achieving 27.5 mpg in mixed driving. The 2021 Rogue’s ride and handling were marked improvements over the previous generation. Riding on a 35% stronger body composed of high-strength steel, the Rogue’s strut front and multi-link rear suspension, along with Intelligent Trace Control, Active Ride Control, and the new Vehicle Motion Control system, offered smoother and more athletic handling. Furthermore, the improved steering with column-mounted electric assist resulted in a far better driving feel.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue had issues with accommodating taller or larger drivers. The seats, though fine, were undersized examples of Nissan’s Zero Gravity cushion design, which made achieving the right driving position difficult for those with longer legs or larger frames. Rear seat passengers, however, enjoyed a high seat cushion and excellent visibility, enhanced by a panoramic glass sunroof, rear air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports.

Storage space up front was limited, but cargo capacity was noteworthy, with 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats—one of the best in its class, even outpacing models like the Mazda CX-5. The Divide-n-Hide cargo management system and underfloor storage compartments added utility.

By contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue introduced updated Zero Gravity seats that were more comfortable and better-size. Standard features varied by trim, with higher-end models offering leather upholstery, Quick Comfort heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and a triple-zone climate control system for the SL and Platinum trims.

Rear-seat passengers in the 2021 model benefitted from increased headroom and legroom, nearly 90-degree rear door openings for easy access, and the ability to fit three child safety seats thanks to new LATCH anchor positions. Nissan put effort into reducing cabin noise through aerodynamic improvements, acoustic glass, and thicker dashboard insulation.

The 2021 model also enhanced storage solutions with an electronic shifter freeing up space on the center console, larger door-panel pockets, and a split butterfly-style center armrest. Cargo capacity varied from 31.6 cubic feet in the S and SV trims to 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum trims, bolstered by the Divide-N-Hide system and additional side bins. The maximum cargo volume with the rear seats folded was 74.1 cubic feet, placing it among the leaders in the compact crossover segment.

The 2020 Rogue offered a sturdy list of infotainment features, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Higher trims added SiriusXM, navigation, Bose premium audio, and NissanConnect Services. However, the 7-inch touchscreen felt dated, with a recessed display that struggled with slow responses and finicky zoom controls.

NissanConnect Services offered advanced features like remote engine starting, emergency SOS calling, and others, but the overall usability lagged behind competitors due to the outdated interface.

For 2021, Nissan significantly upgraded the Rogue’s technology offering. The base S trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with a free six-month trial to Nissan Concierge Personal Assistant. SV and SL trims added NissanConnect Services, Wi-Fi hotspot, and voice assistant integration.

Higher trims and optional packages introduced a larger 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, upgraded voice recognition, and a Bose premium audio system. The Platinum trim further enhanced tech offerings with wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display, marking significant advancements over the 2020 model.

The 2020 Rogue equipped standard Safety Shield 360, which included vital ADAS features like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and more. Optional safety features included ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. The safety ratings, however, were not impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and subpar results from the IIHS, in part due to poor front-passenger protection and headlight performance.

The 2021 Rogue prioritized safety by standardizing Safety Shield 360 on all trims, and including blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. Ten airbags, a rear-seat reminder system, and driver monitoring added to the safety suite, with higher trims offering ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, improving upon the less refined previous system. The redesigned frame and increased high-strength steel usage aimed to better manage collision energy, though official crash test ratings were unavailable at the time of review.