2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2019 Jeep Cherokee

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee underwent a significant redesign to address the polarizing styling of its predecessor. The new front-end design adopted a more conventional look, replacing the isolated daytime running lights and fog-light-like headlights with a typical headlight-above/fog-light-below configuration. The rear also saw changes, with the license plate frame moved to the center of the rear hatch, giving it a more modern appearance. Inside, the Cherokee's cabin retained its sensible and logical control layout, reminiscent of a downsized Grand Cherokee, with plenty of storage compartments and a design that blended form and function effectively.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Rogue maintained an attractive exterior despite its age, featuring a bold V-Motion grille and exaggerated fender swells. However, the interior revealed its age with older styling themes and unimpressive plastic surfaces. The Rogue's center console sides were padded for driver comfort, but overall, the interior design lagged behind more modern competitors. The Rogue SL trim, with its 19-inch aluminum wheels, added to its appeal, but the interior left much to be desired in terms of contemporary design and materials.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee offered a range of engines, starting with the base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. The 3.2-liter V6 engine, standard on higher trims like the Limited, Overland, and Trailhawk, delivered 271 horsepower and 239 pound-feet of torque. A new addition for 2019 was the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, generating 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Cherokee featured a 9-speed automatic transmission and various 4-wheel-drive systems, including Active Drive I, Active Drive II, and Active Drive Lock, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Cherokee's towing capacity reached up to 4,500 pounds with the V6 engine, and its fuel economy varied, with the most efficient variant achieving 23 mpg city, 31 highway, and 26 combined.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, came with a single engine option: a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While the CVT made the most of the available power, the Rogue struggled with acceleration, especially when merging onto highways or climbing grades. The EPA estimated fuel economy for the FWD Rogue at 29 mpg combined, but real-world testing yielded only 24.9 mpg. The Rogue's ride and handling were improved by brake-induced technologies like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, but the overall driving experience was lackluster, with lifeless steering and occasional CVT drone.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee's interior featured a highly functional control layout, with plenty of storage solutions, including deep pockets in the front doors, a tray by the shifter, and a deep center console. The hands-free power liftgate, available as an option, added convenience, although its sensor was sometimes finicky. However, the Cherokee's cargo space was limited, offering just 25 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 54 cubic feet with them folded, falling short of class leaders like the Honda CR-V.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Rogue's interior comfort was compromised for taller drivers, as the seat height adjustment was limited. However, rear-seat passengers enjoyed a high seating position with excellent thigh support and a good backrest angle, along with a panoramic sunroof and rear air conditioning vents. The Rogue excelled in cargo space, providing 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats and additional underfloor storage compartments. The standard Divide-n-Hide cargo management system further enhanced its utility.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee came standard with a 7-inch Uconnect touchscreen, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims included an 8.3-inch Uconnect system with updated graphics, improved responsiveness, and pinch-to-zoom navigation. The Uconnect system's user interface was praised for its intuitive layout and customizable screens, setting a high standard for infotainment systems.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue offered a range of infotainment features, including Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Higher trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services with features like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. However, the Rogue's 7-inch touchscreen interface was dated, with slow response times and subpar voice-recognition technology, detracting from its overall tech experience.

The 2019 Jeep Cherokee came standard with a comprehensive array of safety features, including front and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, electronic stability control, and trailer-sway control. Optional safety packages added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control, enhancing the Cherokee's safety profile.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue also offered a robust set of standard safety features through its Safety Shield 360 collection, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety options included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control. However, the Rogue's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and some dings from the IIHS, reflecting its advancing age.