2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Ford Expedition

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trim levels, offered a straightforward choice with a single engine and transmission combination, and the option 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 noticeable. The waterfall control panel and rounded interior forms were outdated compared to modern horizontal, angular designs. The plastic surfaces were unimpressive, but the padded sides of the center console were a thoughtful touch for driver comfort.

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, was a cleanly styled full-size SUV, with some considering its design boring. However, such designs tend to age well, making it a good long-term investment. The King Ranch model featured 22-inch aluminum wheels, a mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and exclusive gray-painted lower exterior trim, with special front fender emblems indicating its status.

The test SUV, painted in Star White metallic, looked impressive, though the taillight shape and roof C-pillar design were minor drawbacks. Inside, the King Ranch boasted Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, with numerous King Ranch logos. Despite some hard plastic, especially in lower trims, the cabin was generally luxurious, though spending upwards of $75,000 made the hard plastic less acceptable. The Lincoln Navigator, based on the Expedition, offered a more refined interior.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue featured a single powertrain: a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Weighing up to 3,671 pounds, the Rogue’s performance was merely adequate. The CVT managed the power well, but acceleration, passing, and climbing were disappointing, often resulting in noise rather than action. The EPA estimated 29 mpg combined for FWD models, but testing showed a lower 24.9 mpg.

The Rogue’s ride and handling were improved by brake-induced technologies like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, which helped with turns and smoothing out bumps. However, the Rogue SL, with its 19-inch wheels, wasn’t particularly fun to drive, suffering from lifeless steering, poor suspension isolation, and occasional CVT drone.

The 2020 Ford Expedition came with a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, producing 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. The 10-speed automatic transmission delivered power to the rear wheels or optional four-wheel drive (4WD). The Expedition had 9.8 inches of ground clearance (9.7 inches for MAX 4WD) and impressive towing capacities: 9,300 pounds for rear-drive, 9,200 pounds for 4WD, and 9,000 pounds for MAX versions.

Driving the Expedition was mostly enjoyable, with the powerful engine and responsive 10-speed automatic transmission. The SUV’s tight turning radius and easily modulated brakes made it surprisingly maneuverable in urban settings, though the steering was slow and required effort in tight spaces. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch model effectively controlled ride motions but struggled with impact harshness due to the 22-inch wheels and tires. The independent rear suspension improved ride and handling, providing more interior space. Fuel economy averaged 17.7 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 19 mpg.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s interior space was a mixed bag. The seats, though featuring Nissan’s Zero Gravity design, were somewhat undersized, and finding a comfortable driving position was challenging for taller drivers. The back seat, however, was more accommodating, with a high cushion, good thigh support, and a proper backrest angle, making it comfortable for adults and children alike. The panoramic glass sunroof, rear air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports added to the rear seat’s appeal.

In-cabin storage was limited, with only the glove compartment offering significant space. However, the cargo area was generous, with 39 cubic feet of space behind the back seat, underfloor storage compartments, and a standard Divide-n-Hide cargo management system.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled in towing, cargo capacity, and passenger comfort. The King Ranch model’s power running boards made entry easy, and the heated and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel, provided comfort. Interior storage was abundant, with a dual glove compartment and a large bin under the center armrest.

The King Ranch’s heated second-row captain’s chairs offered first-class accommodations, with easy access to the third-row bench. The third-row seat was genuinely comfortable for adults, thanks to the independent rear suspension, providing impressive legroom. The standard-length Expedition offered 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, while the Expedition MAX provided 34.3 cubic feet. With the third row folded, the standard model offered 57.5 cubic feet (73.3 with the MAX), and with the second row folded, it provided 104.6 cubic feet (121.5 with the MAX).

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s infotainment system included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. 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 access, and safe teen driver settings, with trial periods ranging from six months to three years.

Despite the sophisticated features, the NissanConnect interface was outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen that looked old-fashioned. The system was slow to respond, and the voice-recognition technology was subpar, making the tech experience frustrating.

The 2020 Ford Expedition’s Sync 3 infotainment system featured an 8-inch touchscreen, which felt inadequate for such a large and expensive SUV. Sync 3 was user-friendly but sometimes slow to load and respond. The voice-recognition technology wasn’t fully natural, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto helped mitigate some of its shortcomings.

Other highlights included FordPass Connect with a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, a navigation system, a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, a rear-seat entertainment system, and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. The trailer technology was particularly useful, allowing easy control of the trailer’s direction with a dashboard knob.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came with standard Safety Shield 360, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, 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 3-star rating for driver protection in a frontal-impact collision. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also had concerns about the Rogue’s headlights and front-passenger protection, preventing it from earning a Top Safety Pick designation.

The 2020 Ford Expedition’s weight contributed to its crash safety, making it more likely to protect occupants in a collision. The Expedition came with Ford Co-Pilot360 as standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance.

The Expedition’s ADAS worked well, providing smooth and accurate assistance without being intrusive. In NHTSA crash tests, the Expedition earned 5-star ratings in every test and a 4-star rollover resistance rating. The IIHS had not tested the Expedition at the time of the review.