2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 GMC Acadia

The 2020 GMC Acadia was positioned as a premium brand, aiming to be nicer than Chevys but not quite as luxurious as Cadillacs. Built on the same platform as the Cadillac XT5, the Acadia offered various trims, including the SL, SLE, SLT, rugged AT4, and luxurious Denali. The Denali trim, with its all-wheel drive, Satin Steel Metallic paint, and Technology Package, had a sticker price of $52,385. The 2020 model featured a redesigned front with squared-off headlights and a boxier grille, while the cabin saw minor updates like new electronic transmission shift switches and real open-pore wood trim for Denali models. Despite these changes, the interior still had a mix of soft surfaces and hard plastic panels, with leather upholstery and wood trim being the primary indicators of its premium status.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trims, was simpler with a single engine and transmission combination and a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The test car, an SL trim with front-drive and the SL Premium Package, had a sticker price of $34,870. The Rogue's design remained attractive despite its age, featuring a bold V-Motion grille and 19-inch aluminum wheels. However, the interior showed its age with older styling themes and unimpressive plastic surfaces. The center console sides were padded for driver comfort, but overall, the Rogue's interior felt dated compared to newer designs.

The 2020 GMC Acadia offered three engine options: a 193-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder for lower trims, a new 230-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder for the SLT, and a 310-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 for the AT4 and Denali variants. All engines were paired with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, and the Acadia was available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, except for the AT4, which had a standard dual-clutch AWD system. The V6 engine provided smooth, refined power and a towing capacity of up to 4,000 pounds. The test vehicle averaged 20.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA rating of 21 mpg. The Acadia's ride and handling were finely tuned, offering a balanced driving experience, though it lacked memorable driving character.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came with a single 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While the CVT made the most of the engine's power, the Rogue struggled with acceleration, especially when merging onto freeways or climbing grades. The EPA estimated 29 mpg in combined driving for the FWD version, but the test vehicle only managed 24.9 mpg. The Rogue's ride and handling were improved by brake-induced technologies like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, but the overall driving experience was lackluster. The electrically assisted steering felt lifeless, and the CVT drone was noticeable.

The 2020 GMC Acadia could seat five, six, or seven passengers, with the Denali trim offering six-passenger seating with second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats were wide, supportive, and equipped with heating and ventilation, making them ideal for long road trips. The second-row captain’s chairs were also heated and comfortable, with air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a power outlet for rear passengers. The third-row seat was roomier than expected, though the cargo space behind it was limited to 12.1 cubic feet. Folding the third-row seat expanded the cargo area to 41.7 cubic feet, and with the second-row seats folded, the maximum cargo volume was 79 cubic feet.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's front seats, though featuring Nissan’s Zero Gravity cushion designs, were somewhat undersized and lacked adjustability for taller drivers. The rear seats, however, were comfortable with high cushions, good thigh support, and a proper backrest angle. The panoramic glass sunroof and rear air conditioning vents added to the rear passengers' comfort. In-cabin storage was limited, but the cargo area offered 39 cubic feet of space behind the back seat, with additional underfloor storage compartments and a Divide-n-Hide cargo management system.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came with essential infotainment features like Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. The 8-inch touchscreen had a higher resolution display and improved voice recognition. The test vehicle included navigation and a Bose premium sound system, with voice-recognition technology that worked well most of the time. Additional tech upgrades for 2020 included new USB-C ports, a more powerful wireless charging pad, a high-definition surround-view camera, and a rear camera mirror that provided an unobstructed wide-angle view.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Higher trims offered SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services with features like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and remote access. However, the 7-inch touchscreen felt outdated, and the system's response to inputs was slow. The voice-recognition technology also fell short, making the overall tech experience less satisfying.

The 2020 GMC Acadia came with standard safety features like a rear-seat reminder system and Teen Driver technology. Standard ADAS included blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning, but forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking were only available on higher trims. The Denali trim offered an enhanced automatic emergency braking system. The Acadia received 5-star ratings in most NHTSA crash tests but had incomplete IIHS data.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue included the Safety Shield 360 collection as standard, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features included a Rear Door Alert and a Tire Fill Alert system. Optional safety tech included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control. The Rogue received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and had some dings in IIHS testing, preventing it from earning a Top Safety Pick designation.