2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trim levels, offered a straightforward choice with a single engine and transmission combination, and options for front-wheel drive (FWD) or 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. However, the interior design showed its age with older styling themes and unimpressive plastic surfaces, though the padded center console sides were a thoughtful touch.

In contrast, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, despite its decade-old design, remained visually appealing with traditional Jeep styling cues like a 7-slot grille and trapezoidal fenders. Prices ranged from $32,150 for the Laredo to $52,495 for the Summit, with high-performance SRT and Trackhawk versions available. The tested Limited X model, priced at $53,275, featured a ventilated hood design, sport-themed front bumper, and 20-inch aluminum wheels, giving it a mild-custom appearance. However, the interior materials in higher-priced models lacked substance, with hard plastics becoming more irritating as the price increased.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came with 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 merely adequate, and while the CVT made the most of the available power, the vehicle struggled during acceleration, passing, and climbing. 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 Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, but the vehicle was not particularly fun to drive, with lifeless steering and occasional CVT drone.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, equipped with a standard 295-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission, offered satisfying acceleration and an EPA-rated 21 mpg in combined driving, though testing showed 19.4 mpg. For more power, three V8 engines were available, including a 360-horsepower 5.7-liter Hemi V8, a 475-horsepower 6.4-liter Hemi V8 in the SRT, and a 707-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V8 in the Trackhawk. The Grand Cherokee excelled off-road, especially the Trailhawk model, and offered various 4WD systems. However, on pavement, the driving dynamics were mixed, with impressive grip but excessive suspension movements and average steering and brakes.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s interior space was less accommodating for taller drivers, with undersized Zero Gravity seats and limited adjustability. Rear passengers, however, enjoyed stadium-style seating with excellent thigh support, a proper backrest angle, and a panoramic glass sunroof. The Rogue offered 39 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, with underfloor storage compartments and a Divide-n-Hide cargo management system, but in-cabin storage was lacking.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee provided seating for five and cargo space of 36.3 cubic feet behind the backseat, expanding to 68.3 cubic feet with the backseat folded. The Limited X trim featured heated and 8-way power-adjustable front seats, though ventilated seats were not available. Rear passengers had adequate legroom and thigh support, with rear air conditioning vents and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a handy tray in the center console and sizable door-panel bins, though the glovebox and center armrest bin were small.

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, 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 times and subpar voice recognition technology.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee’s Uconnect infotainment system, with an 8.4-inch touchscreen in the Limited X trim, included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, and SiriusXM Guardian connected services. A 4G LTE WiFi data plan was available, and the test vehicle had a 9-speaker Alpine premium sound system. Unique to Jeep, the Off-Road Pages app provided important off-roading information. The system was user-friendly, though the Grand Cherokee’s ride could make it hard to select virtual buttons accurately.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came with standard Safety Shield 360, 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 a Rear Door Alert and Tire Fill Alert system. Optional safety features included 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 subpar ratings from IIHS.

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee offered three ADAS collections: ProTech I, ProTech II, and Advanced ProTech II. Standard features included a reversing camera, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims added forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and semi-autonomous parking assist. Despite these features, the Grand Cherokee’s crash-test ratings were unimpressive, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and poor ratings from IIHS.