2020 Ford Explorer vs 2020 Nissan Rogue

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, more handsome than the Land Rover Discovery. The latest model refined its upscale, utilitarian design by slimming down the body panels and giving it a lower, more athletic appearance. The widened headlights, extra-large grille, and italic "Explorer" lettering on the hood created a prominent and recognizable face. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims, blacked-out trim, red brake calipers, rich Rapid Red paint, and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior was a letdown. Despite the high price tag, the materials felt cheap, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics dominating the cabin. The Explorer's interior failed to match the luxury of competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander, making it feel overpriced and underwhelming.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trim levels, maintained an attractive appearance despite its age. The bold V-Motion grille and exaggerated fender swells were balanced by the appealing 19-inch aluminum wheels on the SL trim. However, the interior showed its age with older styling themes and unimpressive plastic surfaces. The waterfall control panel and rounded forms felt outdated compared to modern designs. On the positive side, the Rogue SL's center console sides were padded for driver comfort, a thoughtful touch that enhanced the overall experience.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engines and a rear-wheel-drive chassis, providing a balanced and dynamic driving experience. The ST trim featured a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup delivered smooth, addictive power and impressive handling, thanks to the upgraded suspension and steering by Ford Performance. The Explorer's ride quality was commendable, even on large wheels, and it handled corners with precision. The 2.3-liter turbo inline-four engine, producing 300 hp and 310 lb-ft, was also a strong performer. A gas-electric hybrid option was available, but it didn't offer significant fuel economy benefits. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the engine and drivetrain. With seven drive modes, the Explorer was versatile and capable in various conditions.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, powered by a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), offered adequate performance for everyday driving. However, it struggled during acceleration, passing, and climbing grades, often responding with noise rather than action. The EPA estimated fuel economy of 29 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing yielded only 24.9 mpg. The Rogue's ride and handling were improved by brake-induced technologies like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, but it wasn't particularly fun to drive. The electrically assisted steering felt lifeless and heavy, and the suspension lacked isolation, making the Rogue more of a chore to drive.

The 2020 Ford Explorer excelled in interior space and comfort. On a road trip to Maine, it provided ample space for passengers and cargo, with air vents, USB ports, a center console, and a panoramic moonroof enhancing the second-row experience. The third row was more spacious than previous models, accommodating six-foot-tall adults for short journeys. Cargo space was slightly reduced behind the third row but increased overall, with 48 cubic feet behind the second row and 88 cubic feet with all seats folded. The Explorer's physical knobs and switches made it user-friendly, though thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras were drawbacks.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's interior was less accommodating for taller drivers, with limited seat height adjustment and legroom. However, the back seat was comfortable, with a high cushion, proper backrest angle, and excellent view, enhanced by the panoramic sunroof. Rear passengers also benefited from air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. In-cabin storage was limited, but the cargo area offered 39 cubic feet of space, underfloor storage compartments, and a Divide-n-Hide cargo management system, making it practical for carrying various items.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and 4G WiFi. Higher trims offered a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. The touchscreen was high-resolution and user-friendly, though system updates required an external WiFi connection. The digital instrument panel featured fun animations but lacked customization options. Ford's Co-Pilot360 Assist+ provided semi-automated driving, but it wasn't as refined as competitors' systems.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Higher trims added SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services. However, the 7-inch touchscreen felt outdated, with slow response times and subpar voice recognition. Despite the sophisticated features, the interface left much to be desired.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. The Assist+ option added adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking, though the latter could be overly sensitive. The Explorer had not been fully tested by the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it Acceptable in the small overlap test on the driver's side.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 suite, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional safety features included Rear Door Alert and Tire Fill Alert. Optional safety features included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control. However, the Rogue's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and lower ratings from the IIHS.