2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Ford Edge

The 2020 Ford Edge debuted its first generation in 2006 and undergone significant updates by the time its second generation was introduced in 2015. The Edge was based on the same platform as the Ford Fusion sedan, aiming for a car-like ride with ample cabin space. Despite a styling update in 2019 that was carried over into 2020, the Edge's aesthetics hadn't kept up with rivals that undergo full redesigns more frequently. The exterior featured angular headlights and a large trapezoidal grille, similar to the Fusion sedan. Inside, while there were plenty of soft-touch materials, the design showed its age with heavy reliance on hard plastics, awkwardly arranged buttons, and a rotary shifter that proved contemporary yet somewhat unconventional.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a fresher, more technical exterior that gave off a true SUV vibe. Dark gray plastic cladding and bold simulated skid plates lent a ruggedness to the design. The Rogue offered clean LED lighting and the iconic V-Motion grille, making it look modern and stylish. Interior-wise, the Rogue boasted a light and bright cabin with leather upholstery, simulated wood trim, and ambient lighting options for a luxurious feel. The Rogue's trim levels ranged from the base S model to the high-end Platinum, the latter offering semi-aniline quilted leather and upscale features.

The 2020 Ford Edge came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque, offering strong low-end acceleration but struggling at higher speeds. The suspension managed road imperfections while maintaining a refined driving experience. The high-performance Edge ST variant included a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 with 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The ST was equipped with standard AWD, offering a sport mode for improved throttle response and enhanced cornering, making it feel more like a sporty sedan than an SUV.

On the other hand, the 2021 Nissan Rogue's sole engine option was a naturally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for daily driving, the engine felt underpowered for spirited driving or off-road adventures. The Rogue featured a smooth CVT that mimicked a traditional automatic transmission, with paddle shifters included. The AWD model boasted up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance and driving modes for varied terrains but lacked the punchy performance of rivals. Fuel economy was a modest 27.5 mpg in mixed driving conditions, falling short of its EPA rating.

The Ford Edge provided a practical and spacious interior, especially suited for American families. The SUV offered ample second-row head and legroom, making it comfortable for adult passengers without needing to adjust the front seats. Cargo capacity stood at 39.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded—a figure surpassing some competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Nissan Murano, though slightly trailing the Honda Passport. Higher trims featured a hands-free foot-activated power rear liftgate for added convenience.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue aimed to enhance comfort with its Zero Gravity seats, offering better support and reduced fatigue. Roominess was improved, with rear doors opening to nearly 90 degrees for easier access. The cargo space in the Rogue was 31.6 cubic feet for the S and SV trims, and up to 36.5 cubic feet with the SL and Platinum trims. With rear seats folded, the total cargo capacity reached 74.1 cubic feet, placing it among the leaders in the compact SUV segment. The Rogue also featured practical storage solutions, including a split butterfly-style center console and door-panel pockets designed to fit large water bottles.

Ford equipped the 2020 Edge with the SYNC 3 infotainment system, featuring an intuitive 8-inch touchscreen. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Amazon Alexa integration. Navigation with real-time traffic updates was optional on mid-trim models and standard on the Titanium. The Edge offered a semi-digital instrument panel and optional rear-seat entertainment screens for a more integrated travel experience, pivoting around user-friendly connected features.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue presented a competitive infotainment package. The base system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like NissanConnect Services with WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration. The top-tier trims featured a 9-inch touchscreen with door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, a Bose premium audio system, and a ProPilot Assist suite with Navi-link for semi-autonomous driving. The Platinum trim also introduced wireless smartphone charging and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, raising the tech bar high.

The 2020 Ford Edge came standard with comprehensive safety features, including multiple airbags, traction control systems, and the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite. This suite featured automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Edge earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, affirming its robust safety credentials.

Nissan emphasized safety in the 2021 Rogue, equipping it with a raft of advanced driver-assistance systems under the Safety Shield 360 banner. This included automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring, among others. Enhanced ProPilot Assist with Navi-link was available on higher trims, offering adaptive cruise control and improved lane-centering capabilities. Nissan also incorporated additional airbags and rear-seat reminder systems for heightened safety. Though crash-test ratings were pending, the robust new architecture and engineering improvements promised excellent crash protection.