2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Nissan Rogue
Overview | |
MSRP$32,765 | MSRP$26,050 |
Listings3132 | Listings2468 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.2 out of 10 | Expert reviews9.0 out of 10 |
Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
2020 Ford Explorer Reviews SummaryFor nearly 30 years, the Ford Explorer has settled into the American lexicon like Cheerios. We've gobbled up millions of them, from the rock-crawling Eddie Bauers of the 1990s to the brand-new ST that can take down sports cars. The 2020 Explorer brings an all-new chassis, cranks up the technology, and introduces hybrid and high-performance powertrains in a space the size of a small living room. The Explorer's also getting very expensive while other automakers catch on to Ford's winning formula—for a lot less money. | |
2021 Nissan Rogue Reviews SummaryTo characterize the all-new 2021 Nissan Rogue as vital to the automaker's success is an understatement. Not only is the compact crossover SUV the best-selling Nissan in America, but it's also one of the best-selling vehicles in America. Strip out pickup trucks, and the Rogue sits near the top of the U.S. sales chart with its primary competitors, the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Imagine the pressure on Nissan designers, engineers, and product planners as they prepared the current Rogue's replacement! The good news is that the new Rogue is a better SUV in every way but one. | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine2.3L 300 hp I4 | Engine2.5L 181 hp I4 |
Drive TrainRWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity7 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower | Horsepower181 hp @ 6000 rpm |
MPG City21 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway28 | MPG Highway35 |
Engine | |
Engine Name2.3L 300 hp I4 | Engine Name2.5L 181 hp I4 |
Torque | Torque181 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm |
Horsepower | Horsepower181 hp @ 6000 rpm |
DrivetrainRWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City21 | MPG City27 |
MPG Highway28 | MPG Highway35 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity7 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall5 | Front Crash Overall3 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space18.2 cu ft | Cargo Space31.6 cu ft |
Curb Weight4345 lbs | Curb Weight3371 lbs |
Height69.9 in | Height66.5 in |
Length198.8 in | Length183.0 in |
Width89.3 in | Width72.4 in |
Wheelbase119.1 in | Wheelbase106.5 in |
Maximum Payload1425 lbs | Maximum Payload1115 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity5300 lbs | Maximum Towing Capacity |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $32,765 | $26,050 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | ||
Expert reviews | 7.2 out of 10Read full review | 9.0 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
Cons
| Pros
Cons
|
Summary | For nearly 30 years, the Ford Explorer has settled into the American lexicon like Cheerios. We've gobbled up millions of them, from the rock-crawling Eddie Bauers of the 1990s to the brand-new ST that can take down sports cars. The 2020 Explorer brings an all-new chassis, cranks up the technology, and introduces hybrid and high-performance powertrains in a space the size of a small living room. The Explorer's also getting very expensive while other automakers catch on to Ford's winning formula—for a lot less money. | To characterize the all-new 2021 Nissan Rogue as vital to the automaker's success is an understatement. Not only is the compact crossover SUV the best-selling Nissan in America, but it's also one of the best-selling vehicles in America. Strip out pickup trucks, and the Rogue sits near the top of the U.S. sales chart with its primary competitors, the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Imagine the pressure on Nissan designers, engineers, and product planners as they prepared the current Rogue's replacement! The good news is that the new Rogue is a better SUV in every way but one. |
Video | ||
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 2.3L 300 hp I4 | 2.5L 181 hp I4 |
Drive Train | RWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 7 | 5 |
Horsepower | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm | |
MPG City | 21 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 28 | 35 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 2.3L 300 hp I4 | 2.5L 181 hp I4 |
Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm | |
Horsepower | 181 hp @ 6000 rpm | |
Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 21 | 27 |
MPG Highway | 28 | 35 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 7 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 5 | 3 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 18.2 cu ft | 31.6 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 4345 lbs | 3371 lbs |
Height | 69.9 in | 66.5 in |
Length | 198.8 in | 183.0 in |
Width | 89.3 in | 72.4 in |
Wheelbase | 119.1 in | 106.5 in |
Maximum Payload | 1425 lbs | 1115 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
Maximum Towing Capacity | 5300 lbs | |










CarGurus highlights

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Ford Explorer is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2021 Nissan Rogue scores 9 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the Nissan Rogue is the recommended choice for consumers seeking a stylish, functional, and technology-packed compact crossover SUV.
Choose the 2020 Ford Explorer if:
- You prioritize a powerful performance with a choice of potent engines.
- You require a spacious interior with ample cargo capacity.
- You prefer a bold and refined exterior design.
Choose the 2021 Nissan Rogue if:
- You value advanced technology features and user-friendly infotainment systems.
- You prioritize safety and desire a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems.
- You are looking for a cost-effective compact crossover with practical functionality.
CarGurus highlights

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2020 Ford Explorer is 7.2 out of 10, while the 2021 Nissan Rogue scores 9 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the Nissan Rogue is the recommended choice for consumers seeking a stylish, functional, and technology-packed compact crossover SUV.
Choose the 2020 Ford Explorer if:
Shop Now- You prioritize a powerful performance with a choice of potent engines.
- You require a spacious interior with ample cargo capacity.
- You prefer a bold and refined exterior design.
Choose the 2021 Nissan Rogue if:
Shop Now- You value advanced technology features and user-friendly infotainment systems.
- You prioritize safety and desire a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems.
- You are looking for a cost-effective compact crossover with practical functionality.

By: CarGurus + AI
At CarGurus, our team of experienced automotive writers remain at the heart of our content operation, conducting hands-on car tests and writing insightful guides that are backed by years of industry experience. To complement this, we are harnessing AI to make our content offering more diverse and more helpful to shoppers than ever. To achieve this, our AI systems are based exclusively on CarGurus content, ratings and data, so that what we produce is both unique to CarGurus, and uniquely helpful to car shoppers.








































