2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Ford Escape

The 2020 Nissan Rogue was available in S, SV, and SL trim levels, each offering a simple and straightforward choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The reviewed model was the SL trim with front-drive, which came with the SL Premium Package, adding carpeted floor and cargo mats, and a first-aid kit, hitting a total window sticker price of $34,870, including a $1,095 destination charge.

In terms of appearance, the Rogue remained appealing despite its age. Its bold V-Motion grille design and exaggerated fender swells gave it a distinct presence, especially when equipped with the 19-inch aluminum wheels. However, its interior did show its age. The waterfall control panel and rounded interior forms were reminders of older styling themes, which contrasted with the modern trend of wide, horizontal, angular designs. Plastic surfaces didn’t add much to the appeal, though padded center console sides were a thoughtful touch where the driver’s legs might rest.

In comparison, the 2021 Ford Escape, a fourth-generation model, straddled the line between SUV and hatchback. Its curved snout and sleek roofline gave it a less truck-like appearance compared to the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, or Toyota RAV4, resembling an oversized Focus instead. For the 2021 model year, the Escape received new appearance packages: SE Sport Appearance Package, SEL Stealth AWD Package, and Titanium Elite Package. Upgrades included 19-inch alloy wheels for SE Sport and SEL Stealth, ActiveX upholstery with Miko Suede seat inserts for SEL Stealth, and leather trim for Titanium Elite.

While the exterior of the Escape had a cohesive design, the interior did not. The angular instrument cluster seemed out of place with the exterior design, and the materials were often perceived as low-quality, even in the top Titanium trim. The absence of standard leather upholstery and the need to upgrade to the SEL trim for dual-zone automatic climate control underscored its shortcomings.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue offered a single powertrain: a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Despite sporting a Sport mode, the Rogue failed to deliver sporty performance. The engine provided adequate power for the vehicle's weight of up to 3,671 pounds, but it faltered during freeway acceleration, passing, and steep climbs, resulting in more noise than action.

Even though many Rogue owners might not notice the power shortage during typical driving, the EPA-estimated fuel economy promised 29 mpg in combined driving was misleading. During testing, the Rogue averaged only 24.9 mpg, which was disappointing. Dynamically, the Rogue shone a bit with its Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, improving its ride and handling. However, the heavy and lifeless electrically assisted steering, coupled with occasional CVT drone, made the Rogue less enjoyable and more of a vehicle to endure.

On the other hand, the 2021 Ford Escape offered more powertrain choices, including a base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. Upgrading to the EcoBoost 2.0-liter turbo-four bumped power up to 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, making the Escape more robust. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Furthermore, the Escape came in hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist, generating a total system output of 200 hp.

Although the three-cylinder engine might have seemed inadequate, it proved sufficient in most driving conditions. The transition between electric and gasoline propulsion in hybrid models was seamless. Nevertheless, the chassis tuning left much to be desired, as the suspension and steering felt sloppy, making the Escape less engaging to drive. The availability of the Class 2 Trailer Tow Package for 2.0-liter and hybrid models added towing capability, with a maximum capacity of 3,500 pounds.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue faced challenges in providing comfort for taller drivers. Despite the seats being decent examples of Nissan’s Zero Gravity cushion design, this reviewer found it difficult to achieve a comfortable driving position due to the limited seat adjustment range. He had to sit lower to avoid having his legs folded under the steering wheel, making the experience less pleasant. However, passengers in the back enjoyed a better experience, thanks to high seat cushions, excellent thigh support, and a properly angled backrest. The panoramic sunroof and rear air conditioning vents added to the comfort, making it a better spot for passengers.

In terms of cargo space, the Rogue excelled, offering 39 cubic feet behind the back seat, more than competitors like the Mazda CX-5. Additional underfloor storage compartments and the standard Divide-n-Hide cargo management system enhanced its utility.

The 2021 Ford Escape, while styled more like a car, held its own in the compact SUV segment regarding interior space. It boasted near top-of-segment headroom and legroom in both rows. The standard sliding rear seat could be adjusted to expand either legroom or cargo space as required. With the bench seat all the way back, non-hybrid models enjoyed 40.7 inches of rear legroom, just shy of the Hyundai Tucson. However, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models had slightly reduced legroom due to battery placement.

For cargo capacity, with the rear seat up, the gasoline Escape offered 33.5 cubic feet, which increased to 37.5 cubic feet when the seat slid forward. Folding the rear seat down provided 65.4 cubic feet in gasoline models, though hybrids and plug-in hybrids offered slightly less at 60.8 cubic feet. Most competitors surpassed the Escape in total cargo capacity, with the Nissan Rogue exceeding 70 cubic feet.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue impressed with its array of infotainment features, including standard Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and hands-free text messaging. Depending on the trim, upgrades like SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services were available. These subscription-based services included features such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, remote engine start, and safe teen driver settings.

However, despite the feature-rich offering, the Rogue’s NissanConnect interface was less appealing. The 7-inch touchscreen felt outdated, akin to an old iPhone model, and slow response times, especially when zooming the navigation map, marred the experience. Voice-recognition technology also lagged behind competitors, reducing the overall tech appeal of the Rogue.

The 2021 Ford Escape employed Ford’s Sync 3 infotainment system, rather than the newer Sync 4. The base S model only came with a 4.2-inch touchscreen, but it included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a built-in 4G LTE WiFi hotspot as standard. Upgrading to the SE trim brought an 8-inch touchscreen with pinch-and-zoom capability and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Titanium trim added a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a premium 10-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

While Sync 3 remained a user-friendly system, it did not offer as many standard tech features as some competitors. Additionally, the lack of wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which came with Sync 4, was a disadvantage for the Escape.

Safety was a mixed bag for the 2020 Nissan Rogue. The standard Safety Shield 360 collection featured a robust lineup of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features like Rear Door Alert and Tire Fill Alert added practical safety touches. Optional safety tech included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control with lane-centering.

However, the Rogue showed its age in crash-test ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded it a 4-star overall rating, with a poor 3-star rating for driver protection in frontal-impact collisions. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests further highlighted its age, with issues related to headlights and front-passenger protection preventing it from earning a Top Safety Pick.

Conversely, the 2021 Ford Escape earned a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the IIHS, with top “Good” scores across all crash tests and high marks for front-crash prevention and LATCH child-seat anchor ease of use. The Escape had “Acceptable” and “Marginal” ratings for headlights, depending on trim. The NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating, including five-star frontal and side crash scores and a four-star rollover rating.

Standard safety features under Ford Co-Pilot360 included automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The optional Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added more advanced features like adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, park assist, and Evasive Steering Assist.