2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Buick Encore GX

The 2020 Buick Encore GX was slightly larger than its predecessor, the Encore, in nearly every dimension. It was 2.7 inches longer, 1.3 inches wider, and 1.8 inches taller, with a 1.6-inch longer wheelbase and a wider front and rear track. Buick put considerable effort into revising the exterior styling of the GX, giving it a larger grille, revised headlights and taillights, and a completely reworked rear end. This resulted in a more mature and complete appearance compared to the stubby, notchy look of the Encore. Inside, the cabin of the Encore GX looked similar to the smaller Encore at first glance, but closer inspection revealed a high level of care, style, and fit and finish. Though not as upscale as the Mazda CX-30, it felt nicer than the Hyundai Kona.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured handsome new styling with a more technical appearance, making it look more like an SUV than a car. Dark gray plastic cladding covered the Rogue's lower perimeter, and bold, simulated skid plates and lower door protection conveyed a ruggedness that was perhaps too audacious on the back bumper. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning lent the new Rogue a modern aesthetic. All trim levels included aluminum wheels sized up to 19 inches in diameter, and the optional two-tone paint with a black roof treatment gave the SUV a custom look. The Rogue was available in four versions: S, SV, SL, and the new-for-2021 Platinum, which featured semi-aniline quilted leather and other upscale amenities.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) in a front-wheel-drive (FWD) configuration. Our test model featured the optional 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, which delivered 155 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque through a CVT to the front wheels. This engine could also be paired with all-wheel drive (AWD) and a nine-speed automatic transmission, though AWD reduced torque to 162 pound-feet. The 1.3-liter engine provided solid power for its size, though it felt underwhelming on the low end. Despite occasional vibrations from the engine, the overall driving experience was smooth, with responsive steering and a well-weighted suspension that soaked up bumps nicely. The Encore GX handled confidently at higher speeds, allowing for confident cornering.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, weighing nearly 3,500 pounds, was powered by a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. This output was adequate for typical daily driving, and the CVT did a decent job of leveraging the available torque. The CVT was programmed with ratios to make it feel more like a traditional automatic, and paddle shifters were provided on the steering wheel. The Rogue offered available AWD, up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, making it more adept at off-road adventures. The tested Rogue SL with FWD achieved 27.5 mpg on a driving loop, slightly below the official EPA rating. The Rogue's ride and handling were smooth and athletic, with improved steering feel and a robust architecture composed of 35% high-strength steel. The new Vehicle Motion Control system and other features contributed to a predictable and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX offered increased space in the rear seats and cargo area compared to the standard Encore. The rear doors were larger, and rear seat legroom and headroom were improved. With the rear seats up, the Encore GX provided 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. This was more than the standard Encore but slightly less than the larger Buick Envision. The rear load floor could be lowered to open up more space, and the rear seats could be folded down without moving the front seats. Up front, the shifter was moved to the left of the center console, creating additional trays and cubby space. The in-door cubbies and cup holders were designed to accommodate large water bottles.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured improved Zero Gravity seat designs, which were more comfortable than those in the previous generation. The seats were available in cloth, leatherette, and premium leather, depending on the trim level. The Rogue offered Quick Comfort heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The SV trim added dual-zone automatic climate control, while the SL and Platinum trims featured a triple-zone system with rear-seat temperature control. Rear-seat headroom and legroom were more generous, and the rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle for easy loading. The Rogue could accommodate up to three child safety seats, and a rear-seat reminder system was standard. The Rogue's interior was quieter, thanks to aerodynamic improvements and acoustic front glass. Storage was usefully sized and located, with a new electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console. The Rogue offered 31.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the S and SV trims, and up to 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum trims. With the rear seats folded, the maximum cargo volume was 74.1 cubic feet.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with GM’s latest touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a crisp and responsive interface. The system included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Options included a wireless charging pad, navigation, and a rear camera mirror. The available head-up display (HUD) projected information via a small plastic display that deployed from the dash, rather than directly onto the windshield.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a competitive infotainment package, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto in the S trim. The SV and SL trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim featured a larger 9-inch touchscreen display, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system. The Platinum trim also included wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and a following distance indicator. It also included the Teen Driver System, which allowed the owner to set speed and volume limitations for a secondary set of keys. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring with lane change alert and rear cross-traffic alert. The available surround-view camera system provided clear images and was helpful for parking.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was equipped with a comprehensive collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue also featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. The SV trim added adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera system. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim offered an upgraded ProPilot Assist with Navi-link technology, which used navigation data to adjust speed for curves and freeway junctions.