2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Jeep Compass

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trim levels, featured a straightforward lineup with a single engine, transmission combination, and the option of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The test vehicle, an SL trim with front-drive, SL Premium Package, carpeted floor and cargo mats, and a first-aid kit, had a final price of $34,870, including a $1,095 destination charge. Despite its age, the Rogue remained visually appealing. The bold V-Motion grille and pronounced fender swells gave it a striking presence, while the 19-inch aluminum wheels on the SL trim added to its allure. However, upon entering the vehicle, its dated design became evident. The center dashboard’s waterfall design and rounded interior forms harked back to older styling trends, clashing with the modern preference for wide, horizontal, and angular motifs. The quality of plastic surfaces also left much to be desired. Yet, the Rogue SL’s interior had its thoughtful touches, such as the padded sides of the center console designed to provide comfort where the driver's legs might rest. In contrast, the 2020 Jeep Compass took on a different design philosophy. Offered in Sport, Latitude, Limited, and Trailhawk trims, and enhanced by various packages and special editions, the Compass started at $22,280 for a Compass Sport with FWD and a six-speed manual transmission. The top-tier High Altitude upgrade for the Compass Limited, with AWD, priced from $32,645, added a touch of opulence. The test vehicle was a Compass Limited with AWD, a black-painted roof, almost every option package except for the Trailer Tow Group and the Graphics Package, and additional features like a power panoramic sunroof and premium sound system, totaling $39,755. Despite lacking the optional 19-inch wheels possibly due to cost considerations, the Compass stood out for offering advanced features uncommon in the small SUV segment, including soft-touch surfaces and premium leather. However, some elements, like low-rent glossy plastic pieces and flimsy-feeling parts, detracted from its otherwise refined appearance.

Under the hood of the 2020 Nissan Rogue, a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) delivered adequate performance for a vehicle weighing up to 3,671 pounds. Though the CVT managed to make the most of the engine's power, the Rogue struggled with brisk acceleration, highway merging, and uphill climbs, often responding with noise more than action. The EPA rated the FWD Rogue at 29 mpg in combined driving, yet real-world tests yielded a disappointing 24.9 mpg, emphasizing its inefficiency. The ride and handling were somewhat redeemed by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, which improved cornering and ride smoothness. Nevertheless, the Rogue’s electrically assisted steering felt lifeless and heavy, and its suspension lacked isolation, making it less enjoyable to drive. Meanwhile, the 2020 Jeep Compass housed a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine named Tigershark, producing 180 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 175 pound-feet of torque at 3,900 rpm. Despite these promising numbers, the Compass fell short in performance, being loud, slow, and thirsty. Its sluggish acceleration and poor passing power were compounded by a nine-speed automatic transmission that often shifted harshly or resisted downshifts, ultimately achieving an average of 23.1 mpg against the EPA’s 25 mpg estimate. On the road, the Compass’s suspension balanced body roll control with too much vertical motion and impact harshness, undermining driving enjoyment. Its heavy and vague steering, coupled with a sensitive brake pedal, added to the driving discomfort. Nonetheless, in Trailhawk trim, the Compass excelled off-road with features like an Active Drive Low AWD system and Rock driving mode, though our test Limited trim was less equipped but still competent off the beaten path.

Interior space was a contentious point for the 2020 Nissan Rogue. The driver’s seat, while finely designed with Nissan’s Zero Gravity cushions, was challenging to adjust for optimal comfort, especially for taller drivers. The inability to achieve the right seat height and legroom balance resulted in a less enjoyable experience for the driver. For rear passengers, however, the Rogue excelled with stadium-style seating, offering excellent thigh support and backrest angles. The panoramic glass sunroof enhanced the view, contributing to a comfortable and spacious feel. Rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports ensured that backseat passengers, especially children, rode in comfort and convenience. Storage-wise, the Rogue’s glove compartment was notably spacious, while the cargo area offered 39 cubic feet behind the back seat, expandable with underfloor compartments and a Divide-n-Hide cargo management system, outshining competitors like the Mazda CX-5. In comparison, the 2020 Jeep Compass, equipped with the new-for-2020 Luxury Seat Group, added high-end features like premium leather, ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, and a memory function for the driver’s settings, significantly enhancing comfort. The backseat also provided ample space, air conditioning vents, a USB charging port, and a 115-volt power outlet, ensuring comfort for rear passengers. The Compass offered 27.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 59.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. However, the optional spare tire and Alpine subwoofer limited cargo space. Interior storage was sparse, with awkwardly positioned cupholders adding to the inconvenience.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue presented an impressive list of infotainment features, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Higher trims offered SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation with door-to-door assistance, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services, which provided a host of connected and safety services through subscription-based offerings. However, the practicality of these features was hindered by the outdated NissanConnect interface, which used a 7-inch touchscreen that looked antiquated and responded slowly to inputs. The subpar voice-recognition technology further detracted from the tech experience. On the other hand, the 2020 Jeep Compass boasted an excellent Uconnect infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and 4G LTE WiFi connectivity. Additional features included SiriusXM Guardian services, navigation, and an Alpine premium audio system, the latter delivering decent sound quality. Uconnect, known for its intuitive use and clear graphics, was easy to navigate, though some functions were buried in menus instead of easily accessible buttons. Voice recognition worked well for general requests but required more specific prompts for navigation. Overall, Uconnect impressed, standing out in the segment.

Safety was a mixed bag for the 2020 Nissan Rogue. The standard Safety Shield 360 suite included advanced features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights, all of which were useful in daily driving. Additional features such as Rear Door Alert and a Tire Fill Alert system added to its safety credentials. Optional upgrades like a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control with lane-centering further enhanced safety, though ProPilot Assist felt outdated compared to newer systems. However, the Rogue’s crash-test ratings revealed its age, with a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a dismal three-star rating for driver protection in frontal crashes. The IIHS also highlighted deficiencies in headlight performance and front-passenger protection, preventing the Rogue from earning a Top Safety Pick designation. Comparatively, the 2020 Jeep Compass extended its driving assistance and collision avoidance technology to the base Sport trim, bundling these features into the Safety and Security Group and the Advanced Safety Group. Our test vehicle, equipped with both groups, included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic warning. However, the adaptive cruise control’s tendency to overreact and cause confusion, along with the occasionally overzealous lane-keeping assist, tempered enthusiasm for these features. In crash tests, the Compass earned Good ratings from the IIHS, except for headlight performance. The NHTSA’s ratings were mixed, ranging from three to five stars.