2020 Ford Escape vs 2020 Nissan Rogue

The 2020 Ford Escape was recognized as an attractive compact crossover with a sleek and modern design. Its large grille mirrored those found on the outgoing Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks, while the headlights drew inspiration from the Ford GT supercar. Despite adopting a more curvaceous design than its previous, more upright model, the Escape maintained its status as one of the best-looking small SUVs, only surpassed by the Mazda CX-5 and Jeep Cherokee. Inside, the Ford Escape boasted a modern and practical cabin design. Users would find a fully digital instrument panel, a floating infotainment screen, and a thoughtfully arranged layout of basic controls. Several trims were offered: S, SE, SE Sport, SEL, and Titanium. The base S trim featured 17-inch steel wheels, manual front seats, Sync infotainment with a 4.2-inch screen, and a full suite of driver-assistance features. The SE trim added painted aluminum wheels, automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a 10-way power driver's seat, while swapping the infotainment screen for an 8-inch Sync 3 system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SE Sport trim enhanced the exterior with sporty touches and incorporated a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a hybrid powertrain. The SEL trim introduced fog lamps, 18-inch wheels, and a power liftgate, alongside upgraded interior amenities. The top-tier Titanium trim impressed with unique 19-inch wheels, LED fog lamps, a dual-panel moonroof, and a luxurious two-tone leather interior. It also came equipped with a premium B&O audio system and additional comfort features. CarGurus recommended the SE trim for its excellent balance of features and value. In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Rogue, while still attractive, showed its age in design elements. Its bold V-motion grille and exaggerated fender swells provided visual appeal, especially with the SL's 19-inch aluminum wheels. However, the interior design fell short of modern expectations. The waterfall control panel and rounded forms felt dated compared to the wide, horizontal themes found in newer models. Additionally, the plastic surfaces inside were not impressive. Despite these shortcomings, the Rogue SL did offer practical features like padded console sides for drivers' comfort. Overall, while the Rogue had a pleasing enough exterior, its older interior styling and materials detracted from its overall appeal.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered an array of four engine options, providing versatile powertrain choices for various driving preferences. The standard engine in the S, SE, and SEL trims was a new 3-cylinder engine that produced 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. More powerful options included a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine available in the SEL and standard on the Titanium trim, delivering an impressive 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque for robust acceleration. The Escape also featured hybrid variants, including a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine coupled with a battery pack and electric power, making 198 horsepower. This hybrid powertrain was standard on the SE Sport and available on the Titanium. Additionally, a plug-in hybrid option was offered on the SE, SEL, and Titanium trims. The conventional engines used an 8-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid models utilized a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine in the Titanium trim provided plenty of power both in city driving and on the highway, with responsive steering and strong brakes enhancing the driving experience. The Escape demonstrated athletic handling, which set it apart from many competitors in the small SUV segment. Fuel efficiency varied by engine, with the most economical being the non-Sport hybrid achieving 41 mpg combined. Conversely, the 2020 Nissan Rogue came with a single engine option: a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder paired with a CVT. This combination was merely adequate, particularly given the Rogue's weight. While the CVT managed the engine’s power effectively during regular driving, the Rogue struggled during acceleration, overtaking, or climbing hills, providing noise rather than the needed power. Despite its lackluster performance, the Rogue excelled in ride and handling due to technologies such as Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control. These features helped tighten turns and smooth out bumps, but the Rogue still lacked the agility and fun-to-drive factor of the Escape. Additionally, the Rogue's fuel efficiency did not live up to its EPA rating of 29 mpg combined, achieving only 24.9 mpg during testing.

The 2020 Ford Escape's sleek design came at a cost to cargo space. It offered 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which dropped to 34.4 cubic feet in the hybrid models. With the backseat folded down, the Escape provided 65.4 cubic feet, or 60.8 cubic feet in higher trims. This was a reduction from the previous model and less than competitors such as the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, which offered approximately 75 cubic feet. However, the Escape prioritized passenger space, with ample headroom and legroom for second-row passengers and a confident, high-seating position for the driver and front passenger. Additionally, the cabin featured numerous compartments and storage solutions, making it practical for daily use. The 2020 Nissan Rogue, in contrast, struggled to provide a comfortable driving position for taller individuals due to its limited seat height adjustment. However, the rear seat accommodations were more favorable, with stadium-style seating offering excellent thigh support and good visibility, especially with the optional panoramic glass sunroof. Rear passengers benefited from rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. In terms of cargo space, the Rogue excelled with 39 cubic feet behind the back seat, beating the Ford Escape and Mazda CX-5. The Rogue also featured underfloor storage and a versatile Divide-n-Hide cargo management system, which added to its functional appeal.

The 2020 Ford Escape offered varying degrees of technology depending on the trim level. The base S trim featured a small 4.2-inch audio screen, which looked out of place in a modern vehicle. Upgrading to the SE trim introduced an 8-inch Sync 3 system, which provided a significantly better experience with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration. The latest Sync interface allowed for multitasking on the screen, enhancing usability. The Titanium trim boasted additional features such as a head-up display, though its flip-up screen design limited its effectiveness for taller drivers. The 2020 Nissan Rogue came standard with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant across all trims. Higher trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and a Bose sound system. NissanConnect Services offered services like remote engine starting and door lock operation, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration, automatic collision notification, and safe teen driver settings. Despite this array of features, the Rogue’s infotainment system used a dated 7-inch touchscreen with slow response times and poor voice recognition, impacting the overall user experience.

The 2020 Ford Escape included comprehensive safety features such as front- and side-impact airbags, a reversing camera, traction control, and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. It had not been tested by the NHTSA but received the highest overall score of Good from the IIHS. The Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of advanced safety systems was standard and included forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver drowsiness monitor. Similarly, the 2020 Nissan Rogue offered a robust set of standard safety features, including the Safety Shield 360 suite with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional options included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist for adaptive cruise control with lane-centering. Despite these features, the Rogue's aging design showed in its safety ratings, with a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and lower ratings from the IIHS due to issues with headlights and front-passenger protection.