2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe

When exploring the 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, the vehicle's bold and experimental design stood out immediately. Hyundai offered three trims: SE, SEL, and Limited, with the latter providing a turbocharged engine for enhanced power. Buyers could opt for all-wheel drive (AWD), which enabled the automatic transmission to shift power to the rear wheels as needed. The Limited 2.0T trim, tested at $39,170, showcased several dealer-installed upgrades, including floor mats.

Aesthetically, the Santa Fe's design was divisive. The grille shape, stacked front lighting elements, and asymmetrical fender stampings invited mixed reactions. Inside, the dual-cowl dashboard combined with diamond-textured speaker grilles delivered drama and character. High-contrast interior color schemes, including flecked headliners, added a unique touch. However, while the design was high style, the material quality fell short, with glossy plastics and rather stiff leather on the seats. Nevertheless, the build quality was superb, and the controls exhibited a refined operation.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue donned a more technical and modern appearance. It bore dark gray plastic cladding and bold simulated skid plates, contributing to its rugged and undeniably SUV-like presence. The LED lighting, prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned shape granted it a modern aesthetic, especially with optional two-tone paint. The vehicle came in four trims: S, SV, SL, and the luxurious Platinum, the latter featuring semi-aniline quilted leather.

Our test model, the Rogue SL, with premium packages and additional accessories, was priced at $35,195. Inside, the Almond color leather and panoramic glass sunroof accentuated the redesigned, roomy interior. The Rogue's cabin, featuring soft-touch surfaces and simulated wood trim, exuded a sense of quality and comfort. Additionally, Nissan's interior layout was both clean and functional, with a special highlight being the numbers on the climate control panel, reminiscent of old-school digital aesthetics.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe offered two engines: the standard 185-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder, and the more desirable 235-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 260 lb-ft of torque at low RPMs. The 2.0T engine's additional power and torque were a game-changer, especially at high altitudes. The eight-speed automatic transmission, coupled with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or optional AWD, offered smooth operation, although FWD models experienced noticeable torque steer.

The turbocharged Hyundai Santa Fe provided decent fuel economy, averaging 22.1 mpg in real-world conditions, slightly below the EPA's 23 mpg estimate. The ride was smooth and quiet, especially in Limited trim with laminated glass, but it didn't inspire spirited driving. While it managed moderate off-roading capably, the Santa Fe was more a reliable daily driver than a rugged adventurer.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's sole 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivered 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Despite adequate daily performance, the Rogue lacked the power punch, especially during adventurous drives. The CVT, however, mitigated the power shortfall with its smooth, programmed operation and contributed to a respectable 27.5 mpg during varied driving conditions.

The Rogue made strides in ride quality and handling with a robust architecture, high-strength steel composition, and advanced suspension. Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control systems added to the drive's predictability and smoothness. The redesigned electric assist steering provided improved feedback and quickened response, radically enhancing drive engagement compared to its predecessor.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe's interior was a testament to thoughtful family-centric design. Our Limited 2.0T test model featured eight-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats with lumbar support and thigh extension, proving extremely comfortable on long trips. The dual-zone automatic climate control, with its Clean Air ionizer, efficiently managed cabin temperature, even in the presence of a panoramic sunroof.

Rear passengers enjoyed generous legroom, air vents, heated seats in Limited trim, and rear window sunshades. Despite its comfortable accommodations, the Santa Fe's cargo capacity of 35.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 71.3 cubic feet overall fell slightly short for a midsize SUV, although it remained competitive among compact rivals. A hands-free smart liftgate that sensed the key fob's proximity added a practical touch.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's newly improved Zero Gravity seats enhanced long-term comfort significantly. The Rogue offered a range of seat materials from cloth to quilted premium leather, depending on the trim, and added heated seats and steering features with higher trims. However, ventilated seats were notably absent.

Nissan's triple-zone climate control included rear-seat temperature regulation, and the Rogue's rear seats were roomier and more accessible, opening to a nearly 90-degree angle. Enhanced storage solutions and thoughtful placement of LATCH anchors for child seats underscored the interior's family-friendly design. The Rogue's cargo space, ranging from 31.6 to 36.5 cubic feet with the rear seats up (depending on trim) and maxing out at 74.1 cubic feet with seats folded down, provided ample storage, particularly with its practical Divide-N-Hide system.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe was equipped with a user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system. The dashboard-mounted display included control knobs and menu shortcut buttons, with one programmable for custom use. All trims featured Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered SiriusXM, Blue Link connected services with three free years, a larger 8-inch display, navigation, a surround-view camera, wireless charging, and a 12-speaker Infinity sound system.

The Limited trim presented a sophisticated head-up display and an intuitive voice recognition system that effectively responded to natural spoken commands.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system was competitive, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto in the base S trim. Upgraded trims added NissanConnect Services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and voice assistant integration. New for the upscale trims were a 9-inch display, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system.

Platinum trim added wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. While the system's control knobs were somewhat challenging to use due to their design, the overall functionality and voice recognition system were reliable.

The 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe excelled in safety, earning a five-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Higher trims added blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings, safe exit assistance, and an advanced ultrasonic occupant alert system for added peace of mind.

The Limited trim's Blind-Spot View Monitor utilized live video feeds to enhance situational awareness, supplementing the traditional blind-spot warning system.

Nissan placed a strong emphasis on safety for the 2021 Rogue. Standard Nissan Safety Shield 360 included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-departure warning. The Rogue also featured ten airbags and a driver monitoring system. Adaptive cruise control came standard on SV trim and higher, along with an advanced ProPilot Assist system for smoother, automated driving.

Platinum trim added a center airbag between front passengers for enhanced safety. NHTSA and IIHS ratings for the new model were pending but were expected to reflect Nissan's reinforced safety-focused design.