2021 Subaru Ascent vs 2020 Nissan Rogue

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trims, offered a straightforward choice with a single engine and transmission combination, and the option of 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 remained attractive, featuring a bold V-Motion grille and exaggerated fender swells. The SL’s 19-inch aluminum wheels added to its appeal.

However, the interior revealed the Rogue’s age, with an outdated waterfall control panel and rounded forms. The plastic surfaces were unimpressive, though the padded center console sides were a thoughtful touch for driver comfort.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent, introduced in 2019, filled a long-standing gap in Subaru’s lineup for a three-row SUV. It resembled a scaled-up version of the Forester and Outback, maintaining a familiar Subaru aesthetic. The cabin mirrored this design, likely to create a connection with other Subaru models. Trims included Standard, Premium, Limited, and Touring, each adding progressively more features. The Standard trim was well-equipped with driver-assistance features, a 6.5-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, and more. The Premium trim upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen and added amenities like an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and heated front seats. The Limited trim included push-button start, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and heated second-row seats. The top-tier Touring trim offered second-row captain's chairs, ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue featured 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 adequate but not impressive. The CVT managed the power well, but the Rogue struggled during freeway acceleration, passing maneuvers, and climbing grades, often responding with noise rather than action. The EPA estimated 29 mpg in combined driving for FWD models, but real-world testing yielded only 24.9 mpg.

The Rogue’s ride and handling benefited from Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, which improved cornering and smoothed out road imperfections. However, the heavy and lifeless electrically assisted steering, lack of suspension isolation, and occasional CVT drone made the driving experience less enjoyable.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a CVT and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system, performed well in most driving scenarios, excelling in town and holding its own on highways. The Ascent’s ride focused on comfort, handling corners responsively and absorbing road bumps effectively. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive, and Subaru’s X-Mode system, the Ascent was capable in snow and light off-roading. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds and included Trailer Stability Assist.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s interior space was a mixed bag. The seats, though featuring Nissan’s Zero Gravity design, were somewhat undersized. The driver’s seat adjustments were limited, making it difficult for taller drivers to find a comfortable position. The back seat, however, was spacious and comfortable, with a high cushion providing excellent thigh support and a good backrest angle. The panoramic sunroof, rear air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports made the rear seats a pleasant place for passengers. Cargo space was generous, with 39 cubic feet behind the back seat, underfloor storage compartments, and a Divide-n-Hide cargo management system.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent offered 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 47.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 86.5 cubic feet with all rear seats down. While not the largest in its class, it was competitive. The Ascent came standard with a power liftgate, though a hands-free option was unavailable. Seating for up to eight passengers was standard, with the option for second-row captain's chairs reducing capacity to seven. The first two rows were spacious, while the third row was suitable for adults on short trips and better for kids on longer journeys. The Ascent featured 19 cupholders and numerous trays and cubbies for storage.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Higher trims offered SiriusXM, navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services with features like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, remote engine start, and more. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was outdated, with slow response times and subpar voice recognition, detracting from the overall tech experience.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent’s StarLink infotainment system featured logical menus and large icons on both available touchscreens, supported by hard buttons and dials. Standard tech included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two front and two second-row USB ports, satellite radio, and Bluetooth. Optional features included third-row USB ports, a WiFi hotspot, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo.

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 were 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 the NHTSA and subpar IIHS ratings.

The 2021 Subaru Ascent was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2021, thanks to its crash test results and Subaru’s EyeSight suite, which included automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning. EyeSight also featured a helpful alert for when the vehicle ahead moved. The 2021 model added standard automatic high beams and steering-responsive headlights. Optional safety features included reverse automatic emergency braking, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.