2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Mazda CX-5

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, offered in S, SV, and SL trims, maintained a simple configuration with one engine-transmission pairing and the option of front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The SL trim in front-drive, which came with the SL Premium Package, was tested. It was priced at $34,870 including a $1,095 destination charge.

Despite its age, the Rogue's exterior design remained appealing. The bold V-Motion grille and exaggerated fender swells were a bit much, but the vehicle maintained its attractiveness, especially with the SL’s 19-inch aluminum wheels.

Inside, the Rogue's age was more pronounced. The dashboard's waterfall control panel and the rounded styling of the interior were outdated compared to the wide, horizontal, and angular motifs favored by newer designs. The plastic surfaces were also unimpressive. However, the padded sides of the center console, where a driver’s legs might rest, was a thoughtful touch.

Contrastingly, the 2021 Mazda CX-5’s sleek design took a different direction with smooth lines and a slippery look even at rest. The exterior differences among its various trim levels were minimal. The base Sport model came with automatic on/off LED headlights, 17-inch gray metallic aluminum alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The Touring trim added rear privacy glass, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry, two rear USB ports, a six-speaker audio system, and auto-leveling LED headlights. These functional headlights were particularly useful for nighttime driving on winding roads.

The Carbon Edition featured a unique Polymetal Gray exterior, gloss black door mirrors, and 19-inch black metallic aluminum alloy wheels. Inside, it sported red leather seats and black honeycomb interior trim with red stitching on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

Moving up, the Grand Touring trim added dual heated mirrors, leatherette-trimmed upholstery, 19-inch brilliant silver aluminum alloy wheels, LED taillights, fog lights, and daytime running lights. The top-level Signature trim with Caturra Brown Nappa leather seats and genuine wood trim elevated the CX-5 into near-luxury territory, rivaling brands like Buick, Infiniti, and Acura. The meticulous fit and finish, high-quality materials, and elegant design choices underscored this top-tier model’s premium feel.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, with its single-engine offering, featured a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Weighing in at up to 3,671 pounds, the powertrain proved adequate but not exhilarating. It included a Sport mode, though it did little to enhance the driving experience.

Most owners wouldn’t notice the power deficit thanks to the CVT’s ability to extract the most from the engine. However, the Rogue struggled during acceleration onto freeways, passing slower vehicles, making quick turns, or climbing grades, often resulting in noise rather than action. This was further compounded by the disappointing fuel economy, which returned 24.9 mpg during testing against the EPA’s 29 mpg combined estimate.

Where the Rogue improved was in ride and handling, aided by brake-induced technologies like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control. Both features aimed to enhance cornering and smooth out ride comfort but did little to make the ride enjoyable. Heavy and lifeless steering, a lack of suspension isolation, and occasional CVT drone meant the Rogue was more to be endured than enjoyed.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 offered two engine options, both of which delivered commendable performance. The base trims came with a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. FWD was standard, with AWD available.

The Grand Touring Reserve and Signature models were powered by a more robust 250-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 320 lb-ft of torque, available only with AWD.

Fuel economy was competitive for the non-turbo engine, achieving up to 28 mpg combined with FWD. The turbocharged models, however, were slightly less efficient, with AWD versions returning 24 mpg combined. Despite these figures being reasonable, they didn’t match the best in the segment, especially with no hybrid option available.

The turbo engine delivered ample power, creating an engaging and sporty drive in Sport mode, though it demanded better bolstering from the seats for spirited drives. The CX-5's stiff suspension highlighted an area where more premium rivals might hold an edge, making the compact crossover great to drive but less comfortable over rougher terrain.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's interior fell short of expectations for drivers of larger frames. Despite decent seats designed around Nissan’s Zero Gravity concept, the lack of seat height adjustment for taller drivers made it uncomfortable.

Rear seat passengers, however, enjoyed a high seating position with excellent thigh support and a good backrest angle. The large windows and available panoramic sunroof added to the spacious feel. Rear air conditioning vents and USB ports added to the back-seat comfort.

Storage up front was limited, save for a roomy glove compartment. In contrast, the cargo area offered a generous 39 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats, expanding further with underfloor compartments and a configurable Divide-n-Hide cargo system.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 provided a stylish and functional interior suited for families. The seating arrangement and comfort were typical of its class, with sufficient headroom but restricted legroom for rear passengers if taller occupants sat upfront.

Mazda earned points for its straightforward climate controls. However, the large shifter consumed significant space, and the less intuitive infotainment controls were not ideally positioned for short drivers.

Cargo capacity was a downside for the CX-5, offering only 30.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 59.6 cubic feet with them folded—figures that were below average for the class. Unlike the Rogue, the CX-5's cargo space was surpassed by models like the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4. However, a power liftgate was available to enhance convenience.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s list of infotainment features seemed impressive on paper, but the user experience was less favorable. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Higher trims offered upgrades like SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, Bose premium sound, and NissanConnect Services for enhanced connectivity and remote functions.

Despite these features, the NissanConnect interface with its 7-inch touchscreen was dated and slow to respond, particularly for navigation inputs. Moreover, the voice recognition technology lagged behind competitors, hampering the overall tech experience.

In contrast, the 2021 Mazda CX-5 came standard with a larger 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen. While aesthetically pleasing, Mazda’s operating system hindered usability due to its outdated interface. Volume adjustments could be managed via the steering wheel or a center console knob, but tuning the stereo or navigating favorites was cumbersome without additional knobs.

Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mitigated some of these issues, allowing smartphone integration to bypass the less intuitive native system. However, the requirement for workarounds detracted from the overall convenience.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue boasted an array of standard advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) under the Safety Shield 360 suite. This included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. Additional features like Rear Door Alert and Tire Fill Alert improved usability.

Optional safety features included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control with lane-centering. However, ProPilot Assist felt dated compared to more refined competitors' offerings.

Despite these features, safety ratings were less stellar. The NHTSA awarded the Rogue a 4-star overall rating due to poor frontal-impact driver protection. The IIHS also fell short, primarily criticizing the headlights and front-passenger protection, preventing the Rogue from earning a Top Safety Pick designation.

The 2021 Mazda CX-5 came with a comprehensive set of standard safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert, forward automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, lane keep assist, and a rearview camera. Enhanced options like a head-up display, reverse automatic emergency braking, a surround-view camera, front and rear parking sensors, and traffic sign recognition were also available.

This extensive safety suite helped the CX-5 earn high ratings. The IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+, achieving Good scores across crash tests. The NHTSA also awarded it a five-star rating.