2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Lexus GX

The 2020 Lexus GX certainly had an aged appearance, a testament to its long-standing history since its introduction in 2002 and subsequent redesign for the 2010 model year. Despite some design tweaks by Lexus, such as the incorporation of the garish hourglass grille prevalent across the lineup, this model retained many elements of its decade-old structure. While the grille was a prominent and sometimes controversial feature, it seemed to suit the GX better than its larger counterpart, the LX.

This SUV, rooted in the rugged platform shared with the Toyota 4Runner, boasted a no-nonsense ethos. The GX's interior reflected its age, harkening back to the early 2010s with its chunky center console, large buttons, and a recessed infotainment screen. This straightforward design ethos worked well for its rugged use, contrasting with the increasingly complex interiors of newer luxury SUVs.

Lexus offered the GX in three trims: the 460, 460 Premium, and 460 Luxury. Even the base 460 was well-equipped with features like 10-way power front seats, leather upholstery, and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Premium trim added conveniences such as rain-sensing windshield wipers, 3-zone automatic climate control, and heated and ventilated seats. The top-tier 460 Luxury trim brought premium touches including a heated steering wheel, self-leveling air suspension, and power-folding/reclining third-row seats. However, some features felt outdated, like the optional rear-seat entertainment system, which seemed less relevant in an era dominated by smartphones and tablets.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue presented itself with a modern aesthetic that emphasized its SUV identity more than a car. Its rugged appearance featured dark gray plastic cladding, bold skid plates, and lower door protection, though some might have found the rear bumper's ruggedness overdone. The clean LED lighting elements, prominent V-Motion grille, and aluminum wheels (up to 19 inches) added to its contemporary look, especially with the optional two-tone paint and black roof treatment.

The new Rogue was available in four trims: the base Rogue S, the popular Rogue SV, the more luxurious Rogue SL, and the top-tier Rogue Platinum which included high-end amenities such as semi-aniline quilted leather seats. Our test vehicle, a Rogue SL, showcased a light and bright interior with Almond color leather, a panoramic glass sunroof, and abundant soft-touch surfaces, giving it a more upscale vibe. Nissan arranged the controls in a clean, logical manner, enhancing the vehicle's luxurious feel, particularly in the Platinum trim with its contrast stitching and ambient lighting.

Overall, the 2021 Nissan Rogue had a fresher and more contemporary interior and exterior design compared to the somewhat dated yet functional aesthetic of the 2020 Lexus GX.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 carried a robust 4.6-liter V8 engine generating 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. This power was channeled through a 6-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels, providing standard 4-wheel drive. Although modern V6 and turbocharged four-cylinder engines might surpass these specs, the GX’s V8 offered a unique grunt and robust performance, especially noticeable during acceleration and highway drives.

The GX's steering initially felt over-boosted but proved direct and responsive on the road. Its self-leveling air suspension contributed to a smooth, composed ride, making it adept at cushioning potholes while maintaining control around corners. Off-road, the GX excelled thanks to its capable 4WD system, making it suitable for more challenging terrains like deep snow or mud without breaking a sweat. Various 4WD modes, adjustable suspension, and features like Downhill Assist Control highlighted its rugged capabilities. Additionally, it could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had an impressively tight turning radius.

However, the GX's fuel efficiency was subpar, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and a combined 16 mpg, reflecting in our test average of 16.3 mpg.

In comparison, the 2021 Nissan Rogue's performance was centered around its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, making 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), provided adequate power for daily driving. The CVT, known for smooth shifts, mimicked traditional automatic transmissions with various programmed ratios, even featuring paddle shifters for manual-like control.

The Rogue emphasized practicality over sheer power, offering up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, optional all-wheel drive, and new driving modes like Snow and Off-Road to enhance its versatility. While the Rogue’s power felt sufficient for most activities, it lacked the thrill of turbocharging, especially noticeable at higher altitudes or with heavier loads. Fuel economy was better than the GX's, with the tested front-wheel-drive Rogue SL achieving 27.5 mpg on mixed roads.

The Rogue’s handling was impressive, thanks to its new, more rigid architecture made of 35% high-strength steel, a multi-link rear suspension, and innovative features like Vehicle Motion Control and Intelligent Trace Control. These technologies contributed to a smooth, predictable ride with minimal body roll and improved steering feel due to the repositioned electric assist.

Overall, while the GX excelled in off-road capabilities and towing, the Rogue offered a balanced, efficient, and more modern driving experience.

Interior space in the 2020 Lexus GX aimed to be functional, particularly with its available second-row captain's chairs on Premium and Luxury trims. These chairs facilitated third-row access and created a natural barrier between passengers. Despite this, accessing the third row was more cumbersome for adults compared to crossovers optimized for quick family ingress and egress.

Cargo space was limited to 64.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded, which was less than competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Land Rover Discovery, with their 68.3 and nearly 80 cubic feet, respectively. The GX also featured a side-opening rear hatch, a rarity in modern SUVs, which had its pros and cons. While it arguably provided convenience in certain scenarios, the separately opening rear window/hatch was a standout feature allowing access to the cargo area without fully opening the hatch.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue enhanced occupant comfort with its improved Zero Gravity seat designs. Available in cloth, leatherette, or premium leather depending on the trim, these seats aimed to reduce fatigue and improve comfort. The SV trim added eight-way power adjustment, and higher trims included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats, though ventilated seats were notably absent.

The Rogue offered spacious rear seating with headroom and legroom improvements over the previous model, and doors that opened almost 90 degrees facilitated easy passenger loading. It could accommodate up to three child safety seats with a rear-seat reminder system alerting parents to check for passengers left behind.

Cargo capacity in the Rogue was competitive, offering 31.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats 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 system. Folding down the rear seats revealed 74.1 cubic feet of space, making it one of the largest in its class.

Comparing the two, the Rogue offered more practical cargo solutions and easier passenger access, while the GX provided a more rugged and durable interior, albeit with less storage space.

The 2020 Lexus GX’s technology was notably outdated, particularly visible in its touchscreen infotainment setup. While it sidestepped the irksome Lexus Remote Touch system, it still lacked modern conveniences like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Instead, it relied on large, intuitive buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls, favoring simplicity over advanced features.

Conversely, the 2021 Nissan Rogue came packed with a competitive infotainment system. Even the base S trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with higher trims adding more advanced features like WiFi hotspot, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant integration through NissanConnect Services. Premium trims like the SL and Platinum offered a larger 9-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium sound system. The Platinum trim also featured advanced tech like wireless charging, a digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display, ensuring a tech-forward experience.

In terms of infotainment, the Rogue decidedly outmatched the GX with its modern, user-friendly systems and additional technological amenities.

The 2020 Lexus GX prioritized safety with its standard Lexus Safety System+, offering forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. An available surround-view camera and excellent visibility due to large windows further enhanced driver awareness and safety.

Safety was paramount in the 2021 Nissan Rogue, equipped with the comprehensive Nissan Safety Shield 360. Aside from the usual suspects—automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning—the Rogue featured blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert as standard, a preferable choice for many drivers. Higher trims included adaptive cruise control through ProPilot Assist, offering smoother and more accurate performance than previous models. Additional features like rear pre-tensioning seatbelts and an airbag between the driver and front passenger in the Platinum trim underscored its commitment to safety.

While both vehicles offered impressive safety features, the Rogue's technological advancements and broader suite of driver aids edged it ahead.