2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trim levels, offered a straightforward choice with a single engine and transmission combination, and the option 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, especially with the SL’s 19-inch aluminum wheels. However, the bold V-Motion grille and exaggerated fender swells were a bit much for some tastes.

Inside, the Rogue’s age showed more clearly. 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 Subaru Forester, redesigned for 2019, retained a familiar look from its previous generation, with the most noticeable change being the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru’s decision to keep the boxy, upright shape appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Base trim level looked plain with 17-inch steel wheels, but the Forester Sport model, our test car, featured orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact, especially with the Dark Blue Pearl paint.

Underneath, the Forester shared the Subaru Global Platform with other models like the Impreza and Outback. The interior was practical, with materials designed to withstand years of use. The Sport trim added orange accents and cross-stitching, while higher trims offered leather upholstery and heated features. The Forester’s interior was functional, if not particularly stylish, and aimed at durability over aesthetics.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came with a single powertrain: 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, and climbing grades, often responding with noise rather than action. The EPA estimated 29 mpg in combined driving for FWD models, but our testing yielded only 24.9 mpg.

The Rogue’s ride and handling benefited from brake-induced technologies like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, which improved cornering and smoothed out bumps. However, the Rogue SL’s 19-inch wheels didn’t make it 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 Subaru Forester featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The boxer engine configuration provided a lower center of gravity. Subaru quoted a 1,500-pound towing capacity, with Trailer Stability Assist as standard. While the power felt adequate in most situations, the engine lacked the desired thrust for highway merging and overtaking, and wind noise was noticeable at higher speeds.

The Forester’s suspension tuning prioritized comfort over handling, resulting in poor body control and significant body roll in corners. The ride was soft, absorbing bumps well but causing the body to bounce on uneven pavement. AWD was standard, with X-Mode for different surfaces and Dual X-Mode on Sport models. The Forester also had 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it better suited for off-road conditions than many competitors.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s interior space was a mixed bag. The seats, though featuring Nissan’s Zero Gravity design, were somewhat undersized, and adjusting the driver’s seat for a comfortable position was challenging for taller individuals. The back seat, however, was more accommodating, with a high cushion, good thigh support, and excellent visibility, enhanced by the panoramic sunroof. Rear passengers also benefited from air conditioning vents and USB charging ports.

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

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in interior space, offering above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roof. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feel. Cargo space was generous, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, it lacked a sliding second-row bench, and the phone-storage cubby was too small for an average-size phone. A power liftgate was available on higher trims.

The Forester’s interior featured large knobs for audio and climate control, but the numerous buttons on the steering wheel could be confusing. The center console was reasonably sized, and the cupholders were functional without being intrusive.

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 access, and safe teen driver settings. However, the 7-inch touchscreen felt outdated, with slow response times and subpar voice recognition.

The 2021 Subaru Forester’s Starlink infotainment system featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and front-row USB ports. Sport models added an 8-inch touchscreen and Harman Kardon audio, while higher trims included navigation and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and physical shortcut buttons, but the screen was slow to boot up. Additional screens in the dashboard and instrument cluster provided secondary information, though the setup felt overly complex.

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 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. However, the Rogue’s crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and no Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. Standard EyeSight features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Subaru’s DriverFocus system monitored driver distraction. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking. EyeSight’s adaptive cruise control and lane-centering functions were adequate but not as smooth as a human driver.