2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid marked a return to a more rugged and adventurous design, reminiscent of Toyota's classic trucks. The front end featured a bold, flat slab of trapezoids and flexing surfaces, while the hood had a milder angle compared to previous models. The fenders and wheel wells had hard creases, and the side glass reclaimed the large greenhouse of the original RAV4. The XSE trim, exclusive to the Hybrid, boasted glossy black trim on the roof, A-pillars, mirrors, fender flares, and 18-inch wheels, giving it a sporty and upscale appearance. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid's cabin quality was several grades higher, with padded dash and door trim, blue stitching, and large, easy-to-use knobs and buttons.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trims, maintained an attractive but aging design. The bold V-Motion grille and exaggerated fender swells were notable, but the interior revealed its age with older styling themes and unimpressive plastic surfaces. The waterfall control panel and rounded forms were outdated compared to modern, angular designs. However, the Rogue SL's center console sides were padded for driver comfort, a thoughtful touch. Despite its age, the Rogue remained appealing, especially with the SL trim's 19-inch aluminum wheels.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a 1.6-kilowatt battery, producing 219 horsepower. This setup provided a surge of torque and better acceleration compared to its gasoline counterpart. The hybrid system, using nickel-metal hydride batteries, offered consistent performance, especially in cold weather. The RAV4 Hybrid drove effortlessly around town, with a quiet and seamless operation. On the highway, the engine shut off while coasting, and the CVT didn't strain the engine at high revs. However, the AWD system was sometimes slow to counter wheelspin, and the braking felt squishy. The XSE trim's sport-tuned dampers and springs improved handling without compromising ride quality. The RAV4 Hybrid averaged 36 mpg over 400 miles, with an EPA rating of 41 mpg city, 38 highway, and 40 combined.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue featured a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT. While the CVT made the most of the engine's power, the Rogue struggled with acceleration, especially when merging onto freeways or climbing grades. The EPA rated 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 Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, but the vehicle wasn't particularly fun to drive. The electrically assisted steering felt lifeless, and the suspension lacked isolation. The CVT drone further detracted from the driving experience.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered excellent sightlines and generous cargo space, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 70 cubic feet with the seats folded. A spare tire was located under the cargo floor. The second-row legroom was ample, and the air conditioning quickly cooled the cabin. The large knobs and switches enhanced ergonomics, though the window, lock, and mirror controls weren't illuminated at night. The infotainment screen, climate controls, and steering-wheel controls were easy to use and read.

In the 2020 Nissan Rogue, finding a comfortable driving position was challenging for taller drivers. The seats, though designed with Nissan's Zero Gravity cushion, were somewhat undersized. The rear seats, however, offered excellent thigh support, a proper backrest angle, and a great view, especially with the panoramic sunroof. Rear passengers also benefited from air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The Rogue's in-cabin storage was limited, but the cargo area provided 39 cubic feet of space, with underfloor storage compartments and a Divide-n-Hide cargo management system.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid's infotainment interface was user-friendly, with clear menus and customizable home screens. However, the maps looked dated, and Toyota's Entune 3.0 required a smartphone connection for apps. Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto was not. The JBL stereo was adequate. The lane-keep assist reacted too late, and the semi-automated operation in traffic was lacking. Toyota offered standard Safety Connect features, including stolen-vehicle alerts and SOS assistance, with a 6-month trial for WiFi and Remote Connect.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Upgrades included SiriusXM, navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services. Subscription-based features like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and remote access were available, with trial periods ranging from six months to three years. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was outdated, and the interface was slow to respond. The voice-recognition technology was also subpar.

The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid earned a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with 4 stars for the driver's-side frontal crash test and rollover resistance. The IIHS rated the RAV4 (not the Hybrid) as Good in all six crash tests and Superior for its collision-avoidance system. Toyota Safety Sense was standard, including forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise, traffic-sign recognition, and auto high beams. Unique safety features included a front passenger seat cushion airbag and a driver's knee airbag. Rear emergency braking was optional.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came with standard Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional features included Rear Door Alert and Tire Fill Alert. Optional safety features included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control. The Rogue received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a 3-star rating for driver protection in a frontal collision. The IIHS rated the Rogue lower due to its headlights and front-passenger protection.