2020 INFINITI QX80 vs 2021 Nissan Rogue

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, as the flagship SUV in Infiniti’s lineup, was significantly larger than its siblings, the two-row QX50 and three-row QX60. For 2020, it was available in two trim levels: Luxe and Limited. The QX80's exterior, refreshed in 2018, boasted a commanding presence with modern details such as welcome lights, power-folding, auto-dimming, heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, and adaptive front lighting with auto-leveling functionality. The upscale cabin featured soft-touch materials, though some trim pieces lagged behind competitors. The center stack's piano-black plastic was prone to fingerprints, but the overall fit and finish were generally good.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue sported handsome new styling with a more technical appearance, making it look more like an SUV. Dark gray plastic cladding covered the lower perimeter, and bold simulated skid plates added a rugged touch. Clean LED lighting elements, a prominent V-Motion grille, and proper proportioning lent the Rogue a modern aesthetic. Available in four trims—S, SV, SL, and Platinum—the Rogue offered a range of features, from cloth seats in the S trim to semi-aniline quilted leather in the Platinum. The interior was light and bright, with abundant soft-touch surfaces and appealing simulated wood trim, emphasizing its improved roominess and quality.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 was powered by a 5.6-liter V8 engine, producing 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission. Despite its heavy build, the QX80's powertrain managed the load well, though the transmission was clunky when downshifting. Fuel efficiency was a weak point, with the RWD model getting 14 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway, while the 4WD version dropped to 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. The QX80 offered Normal, Snow, and Mud drive modes, and its optional Hydraulic Body Motion Control system helped keep it grounded around turns. The SUV had a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds and featured a standard rear auto-leveling suspension for a smooth ride.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While adequate for daily driving, the engine struggled with the SUV's nearly 3,500-pound weight. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) did a decent job of leveraging the available torque, and the Rogue offered up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance with available AWD. New Snow and Off-Road driving modes enhanced its off-road capabilities. The Rogue's fuel economy was better, with the tested FWD SL trim achieving 27.5 mpg on a mixed driving loop. The SUV's ride and handling were smooth and predictable, thanks to a new, more robust architecture and advanced suspension systems.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 offered plush, spacious seating in the first two rows, but the third row was tight on legroom, making it suitable for small children or pets. Standard seating for seven included captain’s chairs in the second row, with an optional 60/40 split-folding bench. The leather-appointed seats were available in perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery, and Alcantara seats with quilting and contrast stitching were also an option. The QX80 provided 16.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 49.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 95.1 cubic feet with both rows folded. A power liftgate was standard.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured improved Zero Gravity seats, which were more comfortable than the previous generation. The S trim had cloth seats with a manual driver's height adjuster, while higher trims offered leatherette or leather upholstery. The Rogue's rear-seat headroom and legroom were generous, and the rear doors opened to nearly 90 degrees for easy access. The SUV could accommodate up to three child safety seats, and a rear-seat reminder system was standard. Cargo capacity was 31.6 cubic feet in the S and SV trims, and up to 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum trims with the Divide-N-Hide cargo management system. The maximum cargo volume was 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80 came with an 8-inch upper infotainment touch screen and a 7.0-inch lower touch screen, allowing for split functionality. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, satellite radio, Bluetooth, keyless entry, remote start, tri-zone climate control, a moonroof, a CD player, a 12-volt outlet, and four USB ports. Optional upgrades included two 8.0-inch rear-seat displays, a WiFi hotspot, and a 17-speaker Bose system. The infotainment system was functional but not particularly modern in design.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered a competitive infotainment package with an 8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto as standard. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration, and a larger 9-inch touchscreen with door-to-door navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay. The Platinum trim included wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display. The system was user-friendly, though the knobs and buttons could be challenging to grasp.

The 2020 INFINITI QX80, being an older model, lacked some of the latest driver-assist features but still offered a good roster of standard and available technology. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, rear parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and automatic collision notification. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, distance-control assist, and lane-keep assist. The QX80 received "good" scores in moderate overlap front and side crash tests from the IIHS and had a moderate risk of rollover according to the NHTSA.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came equipped with a comprehensive collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) under the Nissan Safety Shield 360 umbrella. This included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue also featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control with ProPilot Assist, which included lane-centering assistance and Navi-link technology. The Rogue's new architecture, with increased use of high-strength steel, aimed to improve crash protection.