2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 Nissan Rogue was available in three trims: S, SV, and SL, all featuring a single engine and transmission combination with options for either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Our review car came in SL trim with FWD and additional features such as the SL Premium Package, carpeted floor and cargo mats, and a first-aid kit, totaling $34,870 with a $1,095 destination charge.

Despite its age, the Rogue retained an attractive design marked by a bold V-Motion grille and pronounced fender swells. Especially with its 19-inch aluminum wheels, the Rogue SL offered an appealing exterior. However, the interior revealed its age with a dated waterfall control panel and rounded styling themes. The plastic surfaces inside failed to impress, but the padded sides of the center console were appreciated, offering comfort for drivers’ legs.

For the 2020 Audi Q7, multiple trims and engine options were available. The 45 TFSI model came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, while the 55 TFSI had a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine. For this comparison, the focus was on the Q7 55 TFSI with the Prestige trim. This particular model started at $60,800, and after adding Navarra Blue metallic paint, a Cold Weather Package, and a Towing Package, the total came to $74,290 with a $995 destination charge.

The Q7 received several design updates for 2020, including revised front and rear styling and new lighting elements, aligning it more closely with the Q8 flagship model. The Prestige model featured 20-inch turbine-style wheels with 285/45 Pirelli Scorpion Verde run-flat all-season tires. The interior of the Q7 mirrored the high-tech aesthetic of the Q8, with the dashboard and instrumentation adopting a modern, digital-focused design. The Okapi Brown leather interior paired with Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash wood inlays and a black cloth headliner added to its upscale feel, and the ambient night lighting created a soothing ambiance.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The vehicle weighed up to 3,671 pounds, and despite having a Sport mode, it wasn’t particularly sporty. Most Rogue owners found the powertrain adequate for daily driving, thanks in part to the CVT’s efficiency. However, during instances needing rapid acceleration or climbing steep grades, the Rogue was noisy and slow to respond.

Fuel efficiency was another disappointment, with an EPA estimate of 29 mpg in combined driving for the FWD version. However, in testing, it achieved only 24.9 mpg. The Nissan Rogue did excel in ride and handling, thanks to technologies like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, which helped it maneuver better and smooth out road imperfections. Yet, with heavy, lifeless steering, insufficient suspension isolation, and a droning CVT, the driving experience was less than enjoyable.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI introduced a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, delivering 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, boosting efficiency and performance. Audi’s eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel-drive system, coupled with Audi Drive Select, allowed drivers to choose from various driving modes such as Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual, and Allroad.

The Q7 55 TFSI could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and had a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds. The EPA rated its combined fuel economy at 18 mpg, but during real-world testing, it achieved 21 mpg. The adaptive air suspension provided ride height adjustments and different firmness settings for varied driving conditions. Even on challenging trails, the Q7 performed well when placed in Allroad mode. On paved roads, it supplied brisk acceleration and handled altitude changes in the mountains effectively.

The cabin’s dual-pane acoustic side window glass ensured a quiet ride, even at highway speeds, making the Q7 a pleasure to drive.

Interior space was a mixed bag for the 2020 Nissan Rogue. Front seat comfort was compromised by an inability to adjust the driver's seat height suitably for taller drivers, despite the generally comfortable Zero Gravity cushions with heating options. The back seats, however, were a different story. With a high seating position, excellent thigh support, panoramic sunroof, rear air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports, rear passengers enjoyed a pleasant experience.

In terms of cargo space, the Rogue excelled with 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats, surpassing many competitors, such as the Mazda CX-5. The presence of underfloor storage compartments and Nissan’s innovative Divide-n-Hide cargo management system added to its practicality.

The 2020 Audi Q7, while offering three rows and seven-passenger capacity, was best utilized as a five-seater. The third row was flat and uncomfortable, mainly suitable for small children. When the third row was in use, cargo space dwindled to 14.2 cubic feet. With it folded down, cargo space increased to 35.7 cubic feet, further expanding to 69.6 cubic feet with the second row folded.

For a family of four, the Q7 offered excellent comfort on long trips. The eight-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation were comfortable, as were the second-row seats with plenty of legroom and support. The four-zone climate control, heated rear seats, and rear window shades ensured a pleasant environment. Practical interior storage was limited, with the Audi Phone Box taking up valuable space under the center armrest, and only modest additional storage solutions were found in the door panels and glove compartment.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came equipped with a suite of infotainment features, such as Bluetooth, 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 various subscriptions. However, the 7-inch touchscreen and NissanConnect interface felt outdated, with slow responses and subpar voice recognition.

The Audi Q7, on the other hand, featured the new Multi-Media Interface (MMI) Touch Response system. This setup included two touchscreens—a 10.1-inch upper display and an 8.6-inch lower display. It offered natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation with Google Earth imagery, and Audi Connect services with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot. Despite difficulties with the virtual buttons occasionally being unresponsive, the system was generally intuitive.

The Prestige trim also featured a head-up display, but it was invisible to those wearing polarized sunglasses. The included Bose premium sound system performed well, though Audi planned to switch to a Bang & Olufsen system in future models.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came standard with Safety Shield 360, which included features such as forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional features included Rear Door Alert and Tire Fill Alert systems. More advanced options included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist with adaptive cruise control and lane-centering capability. Unfortunately, its older design reflected poorly in crash tests, with a less-than-ideal 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and suboptimal ratings in the IIHS tests.

The 2020 Audi Q7 shone with its HD Matrix LED headlights, although the IIHS rated them poorly due to excessive glare. Equipped with Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist, the Q7 offered comprehensive safety features. However, issues with traffic sign recognition and lane-assist technologies were noted as problematic.

Despite these quirks, the Q7 earned top overall ratings for collision protection from the IIHS, marred only by the poor headlight performance.