2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Chevrolet Traverse

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). 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 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 2021 Chevrolet Traverse, a throwback in design, relied on styling details to differentiate its trim levels. The exterior was a generic SUV design with a tall roof, chunky wheel arches, and a big grille, appealing to buyers seeking a clean, handsome look. While the Ford Explorer and Kia Telluride had more personality, and the Mazda CX-9 a more streamlined appearance, the Traverse's restrained styling highlighted its trim-specific cosmetic elements. Our RS model featured blacked-out trim, while the High Country model had chrome accents. The base Traverse L came with 18-inch wheels, with 20-inch wheels available on higher trims.

Underneath, the Traverse shared a platform with the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Cadillac XT6, but aimed for a more blue-collar feel. It was smaller and featured car-like unibody construction compared to the body-on-frame Chevy Tahoe. Inside, the Traverse's restrained styling continued, with the standout feature being an optional Dual SkyScape two-panel sunroof. Materials in the RS trim were good but not quite up to the $50,000 MSRP. The Traverse's interior was functional but not as premium as some competitors.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue featured a single engine option: a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Weighing up to 3,671 pounds, the Rogue's powertrain was merely adequate. While the CVT made the most of the available power, the Rogue struggled during freeway acceleration, passing, and climbing grades, often responding with noise rather than action. The EPA estimated 29 mpg in combined driving for FWD versions, but our testing yielded only 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 cornering and smoothing out road imperfections. However, the Rogue SL, with its 19-inch wheels, wasn't particularly fun to drive. The electrically assisted steering felt lifeless and heavy, and the suspension lacked isolation, making the Rogue more of a vehicle to endure than enjoy.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse came with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 310 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 didn't feel particularly strong off the line, it provided ample power for highway merging and overtaking. The nine-speed automatic generally performed well, though it occasionally had rough shifts.

The Traverse impressed with its highway road manners, offering a quiet cabin and a bump-absorbing suspension. It had good body control and precise steering, providing a solid yet comfortable feel. However, on twistier roads, the Traverse lacked agility compared to some competitors. The AWD system, which required manual activation, could send torque to individual wheels but didn't noticeably improve handling. The Traverse had off-road and tow/haul drive modes, with a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, average for the segment.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's interior space was a mixed bag. The seats, though undersized, featured Nissan's Zero Gravity design and Quick Comfort heating. However, taller drivers struggled to find a comfortable seating position due to limited seat height adjustment. The back seat was more accommodating, with a high cushion, good thigh support, and a proper backrest angle. The panoramic glass sunroof enhanced the view, and rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports kept passengers happy.

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

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse offered seating for seven or eight, depending on the second-row configuration. Headroom and legroom were above average in all three rows. Heated front seats were standard on the RS trim, with ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats available on higher trims. The Traverse excelled in cargo space, with 23.0 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.8 cubic feet with the third row stowed, and 98.2 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. A power liftgate was optional on the LT Cloth trim and standard on higher trims, with a gesture-activated liftgate on the Premier and High Country models. A power 60/40 split-folding third row was standard on RS and higher trims.

Despite its size, the Traverse was limited in interior storage options, typical of midsize three-row crossovers. Minivans offered better practicality for carrying people and cargo, with lower floors and sliding doors providing more storage space.

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, car finder, automatic collision notification, emergency SOS calling, and teen driver settings. However, the 7-inch touchscreen interface was dated, with slow response times and subpar voice recognition.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse's standard infotainment system featured a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Bluetooth. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen, navigation, 4G-LTE WiFi hotspot, and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. The 8-inch screen in the RS trim was user-friendly, with large icons and analog controls for audio and climate. The Traverse also had a rearview camera mirror, eliminating blind spots, and an optional HD surround-view camera system for easier parking. Standard USB ports were provided for each row, but wireless phone charging was only available on Premier and High Country trims.

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 beams. 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. However, the Rogue's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and issues with driver protection in frontal impacts. IIHS ratings were also affected by headlight and front-passenger protection issues.

The 2021 Chevrolet Traverse received top "Good" scores from IIHS in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. However, it had "Acceptable" and "Poor" headlight ratings and an "Acceptable" rating for LATCH ease of use. NHTSA awarded the Traverse a five-star overall safety rating, with four stars in frontal and rollover crash tests, and five stars in side-impact tests. Chevy offered less standard driver-assist tech than competitors, with features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keep assist only available on higher trims.