2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Buick Encore GX

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trim levels, offered a straightforward approach with a single engine and transmission combination, and a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The test car, an SL trim with front-drive, included the SL Premium Package, carpeted floor and cargo mats, and a first-aid kit, totaling $34,870 with destination charges. Despite its age, the Rogue maintained an attractive appearance, especially with the SL’s 19-inch aluminum wheels, though the V-Motion grille and fender swells were somewhat exaggerated.

Inside, the Rogue’s age was more evident. The waterfall control panel and rounded interior forms felt dated compared to modern designs favoring wide, horizontal, angular motifs. The plastic surfaces were unimpressive, but the padded sides of the center console were a thoughtful touch for driver comfort.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX, slightly larger than the standard Encore, featured a more mature and complete exterior design with a larger grille, revised headlights, and a reworked rear end. The GX’s cabin, while similar at first glance to the smaller Encore, revealed a higher level of care, style, and fit and finish upon closer inspection. Though not as upscale as the Mazda CX-30, it felt nicer than the Hyundai Kona.

Trim levels for the Encore GX included Preferred, Select, and Essence. The Preferred trim came with 18-inch aluminum wheels, heated power-adjustable side mirrors, LED daytime running lights, fog lights, remote keyless entry, push-button start, automatic climate control, and a touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Select added roof rails, remote start, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a ten-way power driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment. The top-tier Essence trim featured unique chrome bumper accents, LED head- and taillights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, leather seating, and a 120-volt wall-style power outlet. The Essence also included an eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, though it lacked adjustable seatback. The ST package added a unique grille, 18-inch wheels, sporty lower front spoiler, side skirts, and extended rear bumper with red accents.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came with a single engine option: a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Weighing up to 3,671 pounds, the Rogue’s powertrain was merely adequate. While the CVT made the most of the available power, the Rogue struggled during freeway acceleration, passing, and climbing grades, often responding with noise rather than action. The EPA estimated 29 mpg in combined driving for FWD versions, but testing revealed a disappointing 24.9 mpg.

The Rogue’s ride and handling benefited from brake-induced technologies like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, which improved cornering and smoothed out road imperfections. However, the Rogue SL’s 19-inch wheels and tires didn’t make it fun to drive. The electrically assisted steering felt lifeless and heavy, and the suspension lacked isolation, making the Rogue more of a vehicle to endure than enjoy.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX offered a standard 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT for FWD models. Our test model featured the optional 1.3-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 155 hp and 174 lb-ft of torque, sent through a CVT to the front wheels. AWD models used a nine-speed automatic transmission, reducing torque to 162 pound-feet.

The 1.3-liter engine provided solid power for its size, though it felt underwhelming at low speeds. The auto-stop/start system was seamless, but the engine’s occasional vibrations were noticeable. Despite this, the overall driving experience was smooth, with responsive and well-weighted steering. The suspension absorbed bumps well, and the Encore GX handled confidently at higher speeds, making it a pleasant drive.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s interior space was a mixed bag. The seats, though featuring Nissan’s Zero Gravity cushion designs, were somewhat undersized. The driver’s seat lacked the right combination of height and legroom adjustment, making it uncomfortable for taller drivers. However, the rear seats were more accommodating, with high seat cushions, excellent thigh support, and a proper backrest angle. The panoramic glass sunroof, rear air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports made the back seat a pleasant place for passengers.

Cargo space was a strong point for the Rogue, offering 39 cubic feet behind the back seat, with underfloor storage compartments and a standard Divide-n-Hide cargo management system.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX excelled in rear seat and cargo space. The larger rear doors and increased legroom and headroom made it more competitive with other SUVs. With the rear seats up, the Encore GX provided 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 50.2 cubic feet with the seats folded. This was more than the standard Encore and slightly less than the larger Buick Envision. The rear load floor could be lowered to create additional space, and the quick-flip button in the rear headrests made folding the seats easy.

The front cabin featured a redesigned center console with the shifter moved to the left, creating additional trays and cubby space. The in-door cubbies and cup holders were designed for large water bottles, and the center console compartment was deep, providing ample storage.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s infotainment system included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Depending on the trim level, upgrades included SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation with door-to-door assistance, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services. Subscription-based NissanConnect Services offered features like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, remote engine starting, door lock operation, car finder, automatic collision notification, emergency SOS calling, and safe teen driver settings.

However, the NissanConnect interface was outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen that looked old-fashioned and responded slowly to inputs. The voice-recognition technology was also subpar, detracting from the overall tech experience.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with GM’s latest touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a crisp, responsive display. The main menu items could be customized, and the system included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Options included a wireless charging pad, navigation, and a rear camera mirror. Our test car featured a head-up display (HUD) projected via a small plastic display from the dash, which, while cost-effective, felt clunky.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came with standard Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking for the front and rear, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included Rear Door Alert and Tire Fill Alert. Optional safety features included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability.

However, the Rogue’s crash-test ratings were less impressive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a 4-star overall rating, with a dismal 3-star rating for driver protection in a frontal-impact collision. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also noted issues with the Rogue’s headlights and front-passenger protection, preventing it from earning a Top Safety Pick designation.

The 2020 Buick Encore GX came standard with forward-collision alert, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and a following distance indicator. The Teen Driver System allowed for speed and volume limitations for secondary keys. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring with lane change alert and rear cross-traffic alert. Our test model also featured a surround-view camera system with high-quality cameras and a high-resolution display, providing clear images and helpful angles for parking.