2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Honda Passport

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, though the V-Motion grille and fender swells were somewhat exaggerated. The 19-inch aluminum wheels on the SL trim added to its appeal.

Inside, the Rogue's age was more noticeable. 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 Honda Passport followed Honda's familiar design playbook, offering a practical and appealing package. The exterior resembled a smaller Honda Pilot but with a more rugged and athletic look, fitting between the Pilot and CR-V in size, capability, and price. The Passport came in four trims: Sport, EX-L, Touring, and Elite. The Elite trim, tested, was fully loaded with features like a scratch-resistant matte black grille, 20-inch black alloy wheels, and black-rimmed LED headlights.

The Passport's interior was sophisticated, with a mix of durable and soft-touch materials. It featured perforated, heated, and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, and a spacious design emphasizing width. The button-heavy shifting mechanism saved space, and the overall design was practical and familiar to Honda buyers. Lower trims offered various packages to enhance features, and the Honda Sensing safety technology was available on the Touring grade.

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 adequate but not sporty, even with a Sport driving mode. The CVT managed the power well, but the Rogue struggled during freeway acceleration, passing, and climbing grades, often responding with noise rather than action. Fuel economy was disappointing, achieving only 24.9 mpg in testing compared to the EPA's 29 mpg combined estimate.

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 steering was lifeless and heavy, the suspension lacked isolation, and the CVT drone was occasionally bothersome.

The 2020 Honda Passport came with a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain provided sufficient performance for various driving situations. However, fuel economy was a weak point, with FWD models achieving 20 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined, while AWD models performed slightly worse.

Tested in diverse conditions, including the peaks of Yosemite National Park, the Passport maintained performance without degradation. The torque-vectoring AWD system, standard on the Elite trim, enhanced road grip and off-road capability, distributing torque effectively. Snow, Sand, and Mud drive modes further improved off-road performance. The Passport could tow up to 5,000 pounds with the available towing package, surpassing rivals like the Nissan Murano and Chevrolet Blazer.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's interior space was a mixed bag. The seats, though featuring Nissan's Zero Gravity design, were somewhat undersized and challenging to adjust for taller drivers. The back seat, however, offered excellent comfort with high seat cushions, good thigh support, and a proper backrest angle. Rear passengers enjoyed a panoramic sunroof, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. Cargo space was a strong point, with 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats, underfloor storage compartments, and a Divide-n-Hide cargo management system.

The 2020 Honda Passport excelled in practicality. Its size provided ample visibility and spacious seating for four adults. The seats, similar to those in the Pilot and Odyssey, offered excellent comfort and legroom. The Passport featured height-adjustable seatbelts, three full LATCH connections, and available perforated leather upholstery. Tri-zone automatic climate control and second-row sunshades added to rear passenger comfort.

Cargo space was generous, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and the most under-floor storage in its class. The load floor was high, but a power liftgate was standard. The Passport's small-item storage was impressive, with a large center console and secondary shelf space in the front doors. Harder plastic surfaces were easy to clean, and the piano black trim pieces required occasional dusting.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Upgrades included SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services with features like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, remote access, and safety settings. However, the 7-inch touchscreen interface was dated, slow to respond, and had subpar voice recognition, diminishing the overall tech experience.

The 2020 Honda Passport's base Sport model had a 5.0-inch display, while higher trims featured an 8.0-inch Display Audio infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen was responsive and easy to navigate, with pinch, swipe, and tap functionality. Standard features included Bluetooth, a USB port, a seven-speaker audio system, push-button start, and keyless entry. Higher trims added a 10-speaker audio system, satellite radio, additional USB ports, a wireless phone charger, and a Wi-Fi hot spot. The dashboard design, borrowed from the Pilot, looked slightly outdated but remained functional.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came with the Safety Shield 360 suite, including 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 were a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control. However, the Rogue's crash-test ratings were subpar, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and issues with IIHS ratings, preventing a Top Safety Pick designation.

The 2020 Honda Passport prioritized safety, earning good scores from IIHS and NHTSA and achieving an IIHS Top Safety Pick. The standard Honda Sensing suite included collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. A rearview camera with a birds-eye view was also standard. Higher trims offered dynamic gridlines for the rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic detection. While it lacked some advanced features found in competitors, the Passport's safety technology was well-suited for most drivers.