2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Subaru Outback

The 2020 Nissan Rogue was offered in S, SV, and SL trim levels, featuring a single engine and transmission combination with a choice of front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). Our test model was an SL trim with FWD, complemented by the SL Premium Package, carpeted floor and cargo mats, and a first-aid kit. Its window sticker price was $34,870, including a $1,095 destination charge.

Despite its age, the Rogue’s appearance remained attractive. The prominent V-Motion grille design might have seemed excessive, and the fender swells somewhat exaggerated, but overall, especially with the SL’s 19-inch aluminum wheels, it presented an appealing aesthetic. Upon entering, the Rogue’s age was more evident. The waterfall control panel on the dashboard, coupled with rounded surfaces and forms, was an outdated styling theme in a market leaning towards wide, horizontal, and angular motifs. Disappointingly, the plastic surfaces did not contribute to the impression of quality. However, the SL trim did feature padded center console sides where drivers’ legs might rest, demonstrating a thoughtful design touch.

In contrast, while the 2021 Subaru Outback had been redesigned for the 2020 model year, it felt just as familiar and comfortable as older Subaru models. The analog gauges retained their traditional typefaces, colors, and spacing. The steering wheel maintained its characteristic spokes—now adorned with more buttons. Seats held a similar form, although the interior was fresher compared to the smaller 2021 Subaru Crosstrek. The base trim’s dual 7-inch touchscreens set in matte plastic, divided by a row of buttons, were unattractive placeholders for the 11.6-inch portrait display found in higher trims. This standard display on Premium and above trims was bright, sharp, and fitted flush against polished black plastic with a slick touch of chrome trim and a few physical buttons. The upper trims boasted leatherette wrapped around the chrome, creating an upscale impression. The cabin featured a robust and quality feel, with substantial padding on the dash, superior surface materials, and excellent finishing touches like the two-tone brown or beige leather upholstery on the Limited and Touring trims.

Externally, the Outback sported high gray cladding on its wheel arches, sills, and bumpers, favoring plastic over paint for susceptibility to scratches. Its styling was smooth and plain, with a balance of length suggesting stability. Chrome flourishes accentuated the window trims and bracket-shaped LED running lights. The most significant change for 2021 included a new brown paint option, Brilliant Bronze Metallic, available on the Premium trim. Adaptive LED headlights became standard, yet the most notable aspect remained the Outback’s lifted wagon design that set it apart as an alternative to typical crossovers or SUVs.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue offered a single engine and transmission option, proving merely adequate for a vehicle weighing up to 3,671 pounds. It housed a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Although a Sport driving mode existed, it failed to inject any sense of sportiness. For many Rogue owners, this lack of power might not have been a significant concern thanks to the CVT's effective management of available power. However, in scenarios like freeway acceleration, overtaking, or climbing mountain grades, the Rogue often responded with noise rather than action. The EPA projected the FWD versions to achieve a combined fuel economy of 29 mpg, yet during testing, it managed no better than 24.9 mpg, even on a freeway-heavy loop.

Where the Rogue saw improvement was in ride and handling, aided by brake-induced technologies such as Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control. These systems worked to tighten turns and smooth out road imperfections but did not necessarily make the Rogue enjoyable to drive. The 19-inch wheels and tires did little to offset its lifeless steering, unsatisfactory suspension isolation, and occasional CVT drone, making it a vehicle to endure rather than enjoy.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Subaru Outback’s 2.5-liter flat-four engine remained almost unchanged from its 1990s counterpart in terms of output. Considering its base trim weight of at least 3,635 pounds, adding passengers, luggage, bikes, and other cargo pushed it to about 4,500 pounds—a significant burden for the engine's 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. Consequently, the vehicle was slow and noisy, struggling with highway speeds, hills, and everyday driving demands.

The Outback’s saving grace came with the XT model, which replaced the inadequate engine with a 2.4-liter turbocharged flat-four producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque at a low 2,000 rpm. This engine offered a noticeable improvement in performance, making the vehicle more apt to meet everyday driving demands. Fuel economy for the XT was slightly lower than the base engine—23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway compared to 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway—with the caveat that the base engine’s fuel consumption increased notably under heavy loads.

The Outback prioritized ride comfort and tranquility over sporty handling, excelling as a long-distance cruiser. With long-travel springs and an 8.7-inch ground clearance, it tackled rough roads with ease. Subaru’s electronically-variable AWD system further enhanced its capability, providing proactive and quick torque adjustments. Features such as X-Mode optimized performance for challenging road conditions, with additional modes for snow and mud on the Onyx Edition. With proper seasonal tires, the Outback was adept off-road and often more capable than many crossovers and SUVs, benefiting from Subaru’s rally car heritage.

Inside the 2020 Nissan Rogue, comfort was an issue for taller or larger individuals. The somewhat undersized Zero Gravity cushion designs, despite offering Quick Comfort heating, did not provide sufficient adjustment for a comfortable tall driving position. The seats were challenging to dial in properly, forcing compromises between seat height and legroom for drivers with longer legs, rendering the driving experience less enjoyable.

Conversely, the rear seats offered excellent comfort, with high seating positions providing good thigh support and proper backrest angles, enhanced by a panoramic glass sunroof. Rear air conditioning vents and available USB ports contributed to a comfortable environment for passengers. However, in-cabin storage was limited, with the glove compartment being the only substantial storage space. In contrast, the Rogue excelled in cargo capacity, offering 39 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, notably more than some competitors like the Mazda CX-5. Underfloor storage compartments and the Divide-n-Hide cargo management system further enhanced its utility.

The 2021 Subaru Outback boasted superior ground clearance—higher off the ground than many trucks—allowing it to navigate challenging terrains without compromising on size. Inside, it offered 76 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 33 cubic feet with them up. The cargo area was wide, flat, and unobstructed by wheel arches or odd cutouts. Both headroom and legroom were ample across all seating positions, complemented by comfortable and supportive seats, and excellent outward visibility thanks to thin pillars, low shoulder height, and extensive glass.

Storage solutions were plentiful, with large map pockets, bottle holders, and handy pockets on the front center console and passenger-side dash. While push-button start and rear climate vents were standard only on certain trims, other conveniences like a hands-free power tailgate and full-size spare tire were limited to specific models. One standout feature was the roof rails with integrated crossbars, standard across the board, which could be locked in place quickly, saving money and enhancing convenience.

The Outback’s large 11.6-inch touchscreen did complicate climate control usage, placing the controls for heated seats within the screen interface. However, the screen’s large icons and general responsiveness facilitated the adjustment of vehicle settings and navigating the stereo presets.

In the 2020 Nissan Rogue, the list of available infotainment features appeared impressive on paper but fell short in practical use. Every system included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant, with upgrades like SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services available depending on trim levels. NissanConnect Services offered features like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, remote engine start, door lock operation, a car finder function, automatic collision notification, emergency SOS calling, and teen driver settings, with free trials ranging from six months to three years.

Despite the sophisticated features, the user interface left much to be desired. The 7-inch touchscreen had a recessed display that appeared outdated, comparable to an iPhone 6. Responsiveness issues, especially when zooming the navigation map, and subpar voice-recognition technology further diminished the tech experience.

On the other hand, the 2021 Subaru Outback's infotainment system felt dated visually, akin to Nintendo Wii graphics. The central screen in the instrument panel further detracted from the overall tech experience. Despite these drawbacks, modern functionalities lurked underneath. For instance, the adaptive cruise control offered four settings but was cumbersome to adjust. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and optional navigation, which looked more modern than the rest of the system. Preferably, the base model with the dual-screen setup should be avoided in favor of the cohesive single large screen found in higher trims.

Subaru EyeSight was standard on all trims, providing adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and forward automatic emergency braking. This system was highly effective on marked highways but relied solely on forward-looking cameras, lacking a radar supplement which impacted functionality around tighter curves compared to systems incorporating forward-facing radar.

Regarding safety, the 2020 Nissan Rogue included a slew of standard and optional safety features, yet their real-world application was less impressive. The standard Safety Shield 360 suite bundled advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking for the front and rear, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. These features were generally effective and more practical in daily driving compared to some competitors.

Additional features included a Rear Door Alert and Tire Fill Alert system, designed to ensure occupants or valuables were not left behind and to facilitate proper tire pressure maintenance, respectively. Optional features like a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control with lane-centering added more layers of safety. However, as competitors introduced newer and more refined technologies, ProPilot Assist began showing its age. Crash-test ratings reflected the Rogue’s advancing years, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA due to a 3-star rating for driver protection in frontal collisions, and the IIHS ratings fell short of earning a Top Safety Pick designation.

The 2021 Subaru Outback, with its stronger and stiffer chassis, further enhanced safety by adding more airbags, including a driver’s knee and passenger seat-cushion airbag. Specific trims offered advanced driver assists like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear emergency braking, and a driver-attention monitor, providing various levels of safety enhancements across different models.

The Outback’s safety credentials were impressive, receiving the IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” accolade for 2020, a designation reflecting superior performance in six crash tests, headlight evaluations, and forward emergency braking for vehicles and pedestrians. The NHTSA's assessment yielded an overall five-star rating, though it scored four stars for the front passenger in frontal crashes and in rollover tests.