2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Ford Expedition

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a full-size SUV with a clean, albeit somewhat boring, design. This simplicity, however, was expected to age well, making it a good long-term investment. The King Ranch variant stood out with its 22-inch aluminum wheels, mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint on the test SUV looked impressive, though the taillight shape and roof C-pillar design were points of contention. Inside, the King Ranch featured special Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, adorned with King Ranch cattle-brand logos, which sparked mixed reactions from passengers. Despite the luxurious feel, the presence of hard plastic in lower trims like the Expedition XLT was disappointing, especially given the high price tag.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue sported a more technical and rugged appearance, with dark gray plastic cladding and bold simulated skid plates. The clean LED lighting elements, prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning gave it a modern aesthetic. The Rogue offered four trims: S, SV, SL, and the new Platinum, each adding more luxury and features. The test vehicle, an SL trim, featured an Almond color leather interior and a panoramic glass sunroof, enhancing its roominess and comfort. The Rogue's interior boasted abundant soft-touch surfaces, appealing simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars, contributing to a sense of quality. The climate control panel's old-school digital clock appearance and the inclusion of a CD player were notable quirks, but the presence of wireless Apple CarPlay kept it technologically relevant.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered power to the rear wheels or an optional four-wheel-drive system. The Expedition offered 9.8 inches of ground clearance (9.7 inches for the MAX 4WD) and impressive towing capacities: 9,300 pounds with rear-drive and 9,200 pounds with 4WD. The driving experience was mostly pleasing, with the engine providing ample power and the 10-speed automatic ensuring smooth gear shifts. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim helped manage ride motions, though the oversized 22-inch wheels sometimes made the ride busy on imperfect pavement. The independent rear suspension design improved ride and handling, as well as interior space. Fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. This engine, coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided adequate power for daily driving. The Rogue offered up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, enhancing its off-road capabilities. Despite the lack of turbocharging, the CVT performed well, mimicking a traditional automatic transmission. The Rogue's ride and handling were commendable, thanks to a new architecture composed of 35% high-strength steel, a strut front, and multi-link rear suspension. Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control systems further improved the driving experience. The new steering system, with electric assist moved to the steering rack and a quicker ratio, significantly enhanced steering feel. Fuel economy for the tested Rogue SL with front-wheel drive was 27.5 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled in towing, cargo carrying, and passenger hauling. The King Ranch trim featured power running boards for easy access, and the interior offered comfortable seating, especially in the front with heated and ventilated seats. The second-row captain’s chairs provided first-class accommodations, and the third-row bench was genuinely comfortable for adults, thanks to the independent rear suspension. Cargo space in the standard-length Expedition was 19.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 104.6 cubic feet with the second row folded. The Expedition MAX offered even more space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 121.5 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured Zero Gravity seat designs, which aimed to reduce stress and fatigue. The new Rogue's seats were more comfortable than the previous generation, with various upholstery options depending on the trim. The SV trim added dual-zone automatic climate control, while the SL and Platinum trims featured a triple-zone system. Rear-seat headroom and legroom were generous, and the rear doors opened to a nearly 90-degree angle for easy access. The Rogue could accommodate up to three child safety seats, thanks to new LATCH anchors. Interior noise was reduced through aerodynamic improvements and acoustic front glass. Storage solutions included a tray under the center console, door-panel pockets for large water bottles, and a split butterfly-style opening for the center armrest bin. Cargo capacity was 31.6 cubic feet in the Rogue S and SV, and up to 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum trims. With the rear seat folded, the maximum volume was 74.1 cubic feet.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 3, which included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While Sync 3 was user-friendly, it sometimes lagged in response. The Expedition also offered FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, and a rear-seat entertainment system. Pro Trailer Backup Assist was a notable feature for those who frequently towed, providing a knob on the dashboard to control the trailer's direction.

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. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration, and remote engine starting. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim featured a larger 9-inch touchscreen display, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, an upgraded voice recognition system, 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 Ford Expedition came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Expedition earned 5-star ratings in every crash test conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had not tested the Expedition at the time of the review.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue was equipped with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue also featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. The SV trim and higher included ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance. 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 exits. The Rogue's new architecture, with increased use of high-strength steel, aimed to improve crash protection. Crash-test results were not available at the time of the review.