Dick Hannah Nissan 19505 McLoughlin Blvd. Gladstone, OR
May 19, 2021
The 2021 Nissan Rogue vs the 2020 Nissan Rogue. This may be a pretty one-sided comparison because the only reason you would compare two of the same models is that the newest model year comes with some significant upgrades. So, with that being said, let’s get into it.
Overall, the Nissan Rogue has been and continues to be, one of the best-selling compact crossovers on the market. The Rogue has embraced a solid mix of comfortability and styling, but in comparison to some of its rivals’ power and available options, it falls short. However, the Rogue makes up for it with its standard driver-assist features and infotainment system, and its reliable ride and ample space for both passengers and cargo.
What’s new is fairly limited with Nissan only adding some of their driver-assist features standard and added some new packages for the 2020 model year. Besides that, the 2020 Rogue is unchanged compared to its predecessors.
The 2020 Nissan Rogue SL has the best features available but being the highest trim level that isn’t surprising. The mid-level SV model may be the better option for those looking to save a little bit of money. The Rogue SV comes with some much-desired, and fairly common, standard features such as a power driver’s seat, heated front seats, motion-activated liftgate, rear automated emergency braking, and dual-zone climate control. Most Pacific Northwesterners require AWD capability which can be added to the SV model for $1350. If you are really wanting to add some luxury features you can also go with the SV Premium package that adds features like a heated steering wheel, memory driver’s seat settings, Nissan’s semi-autonomous ProPilot Assist feature, and 360-degree camera system, all for only $1800. Even adding both the AWD and Premium Package to the SV trim, it still comes in at a lower cost than the SL trim.
On the performance front of the 2020 Nissan Rogue, you aren’t looking at much. Described as noisy and reluctant, the 170hp and four-cylinder, and continuously variable auto transmission is sluggish, and putting the pedal to the metal makes the engine cry for help. Suspension-wise, the Rogue delivers a pleasant and relaxed ride that will be appealing to a lot of drivers who aren’t looking for power.
Fuel economy wise the 2020 Rogue is one of the most fuel-efficient in the crossover SUV class. The AWD model has an estimated 25 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, the FWD is only slightly better with 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.
The 2020 Rogue excels when it comes to its interior, which sports an attractive environment and above standard comfortability. Some packages even take the interior to almost luxury standards especially with the caramel-colored leather seats, but those are only available on the top trim level. Taller people may feel a bit cramped in the rear passenger seats but the front seats provide ample room for the driver and co-pilot.
Every Rogue comes with a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that sports NissanConnect which is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto friendly. The screen is pretty lackluster though and the way the menu is structured lacks the intuitiveness that most people have come to expect in their car’s infotainment center.
The Rogue has earned a 4 out of 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Administration in crash-testing and didn’t receive the Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It does come with a suite of Driver-Assistance Features and has the option to add the ProPilot Assist.
The Nissan Rogue got a complete redesign and upgrade for the 2021 model year making HUGE improvements to the 2020 Rogue’s lackluster features and performance. While the 2020 Rogue definitely didn’t lack in styling, the 2021 Rogue steps that styling up a level, nearing luxury level right out of the gate, and pairs its new look with modernized tech, improved performance, and much better handling while driving. Nissan’s goal here was to move the Rogue to be on a level with or exceeding the styling and performance of its major competitors like the Honda CR-V and VW Tiguan, which they succeeded to do with this redesign.
There’s not a lot that isn’t new in the 2021 Nissan Rogue. Like we said above, the Rogue received a complete overhaul of its exterior and interior styling as well as vast improvements in power, handling, and overall performance.
Once again, just like the 2020 model, the mid-level SV trim is probably going to be the best bet if you are wanting to get the most bang for your buck. It comes with 18-inch aluminum wheels and an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a 360-degree exterior camera system. You can upgrade it a bit more by going with the Premium Package which adds a powered rear liftgate, faux leather, panoramic sunroof, and roof rails. FWD is standard but let’s face it, you are going to go with the AWD option which is an additional $1400.
The 2021 Nissan Rogue sports the same 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that it had in previous iterations but it does get a boost of power to 181-horsepower. Nissan was able to make huge improvements in the ride and handling categories which is definitely a cause for celebration for Rogue fans.
The FWD version gets slightly improved gas mileage, logging in at 27-mpg city and 35-mpg highway, the AWD version stays the same as previous years with only a 1-mpg bump giving it a 26-mpg city and 33-mpg highway stat.
The 2021 Rogue interior has embraced the modern aesthetic with a bi-level dash, squared shift knob, and rich-looking design elements that give it that extra flair to compete with luxury brands. The base trims come with cloth seating but in the SV model you can go with the faux-leather option; the SL and Platinum versions have genuine leather.
You’ll find an upgraded infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen on the updated dash, a 9-inch touchscreen is available on the SL and Platinum models. Apply CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the board. If you are wanting in-dash navigation and/or the Bose stereo system you are going to have to add those features to the cost. The Platinum model comes with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster display, a wireless phone charging pad, and a 10.8-inch heads-up display.
On the crash test front, the 2021 Rogue doesn’t improve score-wise over its predecessors coming in at 4-stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, it does earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s 2021 Top Safety Pick title. Nissan continues to impress with its long list of standard driver-assistance features that let it compete with rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester.
Nissan’s standard warranty is pretty basic and falls a bit behind some other manufacturers in terms of length of time of protection and complementary service.
2020 Nissan Rogue SV AWD | VS | 2021 Nissan Rogue SV AWD |
Pricing | ||
$28,220 | MSRP | $28,840 |
Performance | ||
170-hp, 2.5-liter I-4 (regular gas) | Engine | 181-hp, 2.5-liter I-4 (regular gas) |
2-speed CVT w/OD and auto-manual | Transmission | 2-speed CVT w/OD and auto-manual |
170 @ 6,000 rpm | Engine Horsepower (@ RPM) | 181 @ 6,000 rpm |
175 @ 4,400 rpm | Engine Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 181 @ 3,600 rpm |
25 City / 32 Highway / 27 Combined | EPA MPG Rating | 25 City / 32 Highway / 28 Combined |
All-Wheel Drive | Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
14.5 Gallons | Fuel Tank Capacity | 14 Gallons |
Tech | ||
AM/FM/HD/Satellite, seek-scan | Radio | AM/FM/HD/Satellite, seek-scan |
Available: With voice activation | Navigation | Not Available |
2 | Front LCD Screen | 2 |
Standard | Bluetooth | Standard |
6 | Number of Speakers | 8 |
Not Available | Amplifier | Not Available |
Not Available | Speed-Sensitive Volume | Not Available |
Standard | Primary Monitor Touchscreen | Standard |
Seats | ||
5 | Seating Capacity | 5 |
Bucket | Front Seat Type | Bucket |
Driver & front passenger heated-cushion, heated-seatback | Heated Front Seats | Available: Driver and front passenger heated-cushion, heated-seatback |
Not Available | Cooled Front Seats | Not Available |
40-20-40 bench | Rear Seat Type | 60-40 split-bench |
Climate | ||
Dual zone front automatic | Air Conditioning, Front | Dual zone front automatic |
Power | Front Windows | Power |
Driver | 1-Touch Window Up | Driver |
Driver | 1-Touch Window Down | Driver |
Power | Rear Windows | Power |
Safety | ||
Available | In-Vehicle Assistance Service | Standard |
Driver & Front Passenger | Front Airbags | Driver & Front Passenger |
Seat Mounted, Driver & Passenger | Side-Impact Airbads | Seat Mounted, Driver & Passenger |
Curtain 1st & 2nd Row | Side-Curtain Airbags | Curtain 1st & 2nd Row |
Standard | Occupant Sensor | Standard |
Standard | Traction Control | Standard |
Halogen | Headlight Type | LED low/high beam |
Standard | Daytime Running Lights | Standard |
Standard | Parking Assist | Standard |
Standard | Lane-Departure Warning | Standard |
Not Available | Blind-Spot Monitoring System | Not Available |
Exterior | ||
4 | Door Count | 4 |
Available: Front | Fog/Driving Lights | Available: Front |
P225/65HR17.0 BSW AS | Tires | P225/65HR18.0 BSW AS |
Available | Mud Flaps | Available |
17″ silver aluminum | Wheels | 18″ machined w/painted accents aluminum |
Compact steel | Spare Tire & Wheel | Compact steel |
Deep | Tinted Windows | Deep |
Fixed | Rear Window Type | Fixed |
Power Liftgate | Rear Cargo Door | Power Liftgate |
Dual Power Remote | Mirrors | Dual Power Remote |
Standard | Heated Side Mirrors | Standard |
Available: 1st and 2nd row exterior express open/close sliding and tilting glass | Sunroof | Available: 1st and 2nd row exterior express open/close sliding and tilting glass |
Variable Intermittent | Windshield Wipers, Front | Variable Intermittent |
Security | ||
Standard | Remote Keyless Entry | Standard |
Standard | Keyless Access System | Standard |
Standard | Panic Alarm | Standard |
Power w/2 Stage Unlock | Door Locks | Power w/2 Stage Unlock |
Standard | Rear Child Safety Door Locks | Standard |
Standard | Content Theft-Deterrent Alarm System | Standard |
Convenience | ||
Standard | Cruise Control | Standard |
Available | Adaptive Cruise Control | Standard |
In-dash | Clock | In-dash |
3 | 12-Volt DC Power Outlet | 2 |
Standard | Retained Accessory Power | Standard |
Front & Rear | Cupholders | Front & Rear |
Available | Programmable Garage-Door Opener | Available |
Specs | ||
184.5″ | Length | 183″ |
106.5″ | Wheelbase | 106.5″ |
62.8″ | Front Track | 62.4″ |
62.8″ | Rear Track | 62.6″ |
72.4″ | Width | 72.4″ |
68.5″ | Height | 66.5″ |
3,615 lbs. | Curb Weight | 3,530 lbs. |
There isn’t a lot to summarize here. The 2021 Nissan Rogue is the way to go. With its redesign and enhanced performance, there is almost no reason to go with its model year predecessor.
Decided to go with the 2021 Rogue? Click here to look at our current inventory or give us a call at 503-564-7944 and test drive one today.
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