2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trims, offered a straightforward choice with a single engine and transmission combination, and options for front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Our 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 remained attractive with its bold V-Motion grille and 19-inch aluminum wheels. However, the interior showed its age with older styling themes and unimpressive plastic surfaces, though the padded center console sides were a thoughtful touch.

The 2020 Honda CR-V, in its fifth generation since 2017, maintained a familiar and fun design. Its curvy, car-like lines and resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup made it a modern family vehicle. Inside, the CR-V’s mix of textures and materials, including wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims, clashed with some low-quality plastics. Starting at $26,270 for the base LX trim, the CR-V offered four trims: LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring, with AWD as a $1,500 option. Standard 17-inch alloy wheels, with larger options in higher trims, and a retractable moonroof in all but the LX trim, added to its appeal.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue featured 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 powertrain was adequate but not sporty, even with a Sport driving mode. The CVT managed the power well, but the Rogue struggled with acceleration, passing, and climbing grades, often responding with noise rather than action. The EPA estimated 29 mpg combined for FWD models, but our testing showed only 24.9 mpg. The Rogue’s ride and handling benefited from Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, but its heavy steering and lack of suspension isolation made it less enjoyable to drive.

The 2020 Honda CR-V simplified its lineup by replacing the previous base engine with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. This powertrain provided a good match for the CR-V, offering quick acceleration, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V’s car-like road manners, with nimble handling and minimal body roll, made it comfortable and firm. Weighing just 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model, the CR-V’s light weight contributed to its excellent fuel economy, with FWD models rated at 30 mpg combined and AWD models at 29 mpg. The CR-V Hybrid, introduced in 2020, offered even better fuel economy.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s interior struggled with comfort for taller drivers, as the seat height and legroom were difficult to adjust. The rear seats, however, offered excellent thigh support, a proper backrest angle, and a great view, enhanced by the panoramic sunroof. Rear passengers also enjoyed air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. Cargo space was a strong point, with 39 cubic feet behind the back seat, underfloor storage compartments, and a Divide-n-Hide cargo management system.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and storage solutions. Its roomy cabin offered good head- and legroom, with an excellent seating position for front visibility. The center console featured a deep well with a sliding cover, inspired by the Odyssey minivan, and the rear had a two-position load floor for flexible cargo space, totaling 75.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The door pockets were also spacious, making the CR-V easy to live with for daily use.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Higher trims offered SiriusXM, navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services with features like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and remote access. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was outdated, with slow response and poor voice recognition, diminishing the overall tech experience.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 5-inch screen in the LX trim offering limited features. Higher trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, still small compared to competitors, and lacking hard buttons for easy operation. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available only with the larger screen, and the navigation system was exclusive to the Touring trim. Despite these shortcomings, the CR-V included plenty of USB ports and a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came with the standard Safety Shield 360, including forward-collision warning, 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. Optional safety features were a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control. However, the Rogue’s crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and issues with headlights and front-passenger protection in IIHS testing.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the Honda Sensing system as standard, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, with the Touring trim’s LED headlights improving nighttime visibility. A recall for a possible rear subframe failure affected only a small number of vehicles.