2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Hyundai Palisade

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade had a striking design that could easily be mistaken for a luxury vehicle. Its bold styling featured a massive grille and thin headlights, with a unique headlight assembly that included larger fog lights. The Palisade's chrome accents and character lines added to its visual appeal, although some might have found it a bit busy. Inside, the Palisade's cabin exuded elegance and simplicity, with a fully digital instrument panel, a large touchscreen, and a center console filled with controls. The top-of-the-line Limited trim offered ambient lighting, leather upholstery, and a host of other premium features.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Rogue had a more dated design, though it remained attractive with its bold V-Motion grille and 19-inch aluminum wheels. The interior, however, showed its age with older styling themes and unimpressive plastic surfaces. The Rogue's center console sides were padded for comfort, but overall, the interior lacked the modern, upscale feel of the Palisade. The Rogue's seats, while comfortable, were somewhat undersized, and the driver's seat adjustments were limited, making it difficult for taller drivers to find a comfortable position. The rear seats, however, offered good support and a great view, especially with the available panoramic sunroof.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade came equipped with a 3.8-liter V6 engine, producing 291 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. This power was managed by an 8-speed automatic transmission, which could be operated via a push-button shifter. The Palisade offered various drive modes, including Sport, Comfort, Eco, Snow, and Smart, which adjusted the vehicle's performance based on driving conditions. The Limited trim featured a self-leveling rear suspension, enhancing its handling and ride quality. Fuel economy for the Palisade was 19 mpg city, 26 highway, and 22 combined for the FWD model, and 19/24/21 for the AWD model. During testing, the Palisade achieved an observed fuel economy of 20.3 mpg.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower. This engine was paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While the CVT did a good job of making the most of the available power, the Rogue's performance was underwhelming, especially during acceleration and passing maneuvers. The Rogue's fuel economy was rated at 29 mpg combined for FWD models, but during testing, it managed 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 the overall driving experience was not particularly engaging.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade excelled in versatility and interior space, offering 45.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row down and 86.4 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. The power-folding third-row seats were convenient, though slow to operate. The third row provided adequate space for adults on longer trips, while the second-row captain's chairs offered comfort and ample storage options. The Palisade's interior was well-suited for families, with multiple cup holders and seatback pockets for added convenience.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, however, struggled to provide a comfortable driving position for taller drivers due to limited seat adjustments. The rear seats were more accommodating, with high seat cushions, good thigh support, and a proper backrest angle. The panoramic sunroof and rear air conditioning vents added to the rear passengers' comfort. In terms of cargo space, the Rogue offered 39 cubic feet behind the back seat, along with underfloor storage compartments and a standard Divide-n-Hide cargo management system, making it practical for carrying various items.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and multiple USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with tactile buttons and dials for easy navigation. The SEL trim offered an optional Driver Guidance package, which included a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, satellite radio, and an in-car intercom system. The Limited trim featured a Harman Kardon premium audio system, a surround-view monitor, and a head-up display, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Higher trims offered upgrades like SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services. However, the Rogue's 7-inch touchscreen was outdated, with slow response times and subpar voice-recognition technology. Despite its sophisticated features, the Rogue's infotainment system left much to be desired in terms of usability and modernity.

The 2020 Hyundai Palisade earned the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It came standard with a reversing camera, child-seat anchors, and a full array of airbags. The Palisade also featured advanced driver-assistance systems like forward-collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, and parking sensors. The digital instrument panel provided additional safety information, including a unique blind-spot camera system that activated with the turn signals.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue also offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including the standard Safety Shield 360 collection. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features like Rear Door Alert and Tire Fill Alert added to the Rogue's safety credentials. However, the Rogue's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and some shortcomings in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's tests.