2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Toyota RAV4

In 2020, the Nissan Rogue was available in S, SV, and SL trim levels. Our review focused on the SL trim, front-wheel drive variant, equipped with the SL Premium Package, carpeted floor and cargo mats, and a first-aid kit, priced at $34,870, including a $1,095 destination charge. The Rogue’s design, characterized by a big, bold V-Motion grille and exaggerated fender swells, was seen as visually appealing, especially with the SL’s 19-inch aluminum wheels. However, the interior betrayed the vehicle’s age with its waterfall control panel and rounded forms that contrasted with the contemporary wide, horizontal, and angular motifs observed in newer car interiors. While the padded center console sides were a thoughtful touch, the plastic surfaces were less impressive, detracting from the overall luxurious feel.

By contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 embraced a rugged, SUV-like exterior, favoring boxy fender flares, chiseled taillights, and a scowling front end over the more approachable look of previous generations. This bold styling helped the RAV4 stand out in a crowded market, projecting a sense of adventure and robustness. Despite its assertive exterior, the RAV4 was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform shared with other sedans, hatchbacks, and minivans, balancing its sporty appearance with practical underpinnings. Specific trims like the RAV4 Adventure featured unique design elements like a retro Ice Edge roof and orange interior accents, while the TRD Off-Road variant added rugged touches such as matte black wheels and a front skid plate.

Under the hood, the 2020 Nissan Rogue featured a single engine choice: a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Despite the presence of a Sport driving mode, this combination provided merely adequate power for the 3,671-pound vehicle. Many owners likely didn’t notice the lack of power during regular driving, partly due to the CVT’s efficiency in maximizing available power. However, the Rogue struggled when accelerating onto freeways, passing slower vehicles, or climbing steep grades, responding with more noise than actual speed. Promised fuel efficiency of 29 mpg combined failed to deliver in real-world testing, achieving only 24.9 mpg.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4, on the other hand, boasted a 2.5-liter “Dynamic Force” inline-four engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine, notable for its 40% thermal efficiency, delivered a more spirited performance, peaking at 6,600 rpm. Despite robust power figures, the transmission’s sluggish responsiveness and the steering’s lack of feel detracted from the overall driving experience. The RAV4 offered additional powertrain options, such as the 219-hp Hybrid and 302-hp Prime plug-in hybrid, which provided greater refinement and efficiency. On highways, the RAV4 excelled with low cabin noise and a smooth ride, though it fell short in off-road capabilities compared to rugged models like the 4Runner, despite having certain off-road enhancements in specific trims.

Inside, the 2020 Nissan Rogue struggled to accommodate taller drivers due to seat adjustment limitations, despite the presence of otherwise comfortable Zero Gravity seats. Rear seat passengers, however, enjoyed a high, stadium-style seating position with excellent thigh support, rear air conditioning vents, and USB ports, enhancing comfort. The Rogue excelled in cargo space, offering 39 cubic feet behind the rear seats—more than competitors like the Mazda CX-5—combined with practical underfloor storage and the Divide-n-Hide cargo management system.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4’s upright design provided ample headroom and good visibility. However, legroom lagged behind some competitors. The front seats offered superior comfort with a form-fitting shape, while the rear seats, unfortunately, featured flat, hard cushions unsuitable for long trips. With 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space, the RAV4 was above average but still trailed behind segment leaders like the Honda CR-V. The RAV4’s practical design included oversized controls accessible even with gloves on and substantial storage bins, although some areas like cupholders and miscellaneous storage were less spacious.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came equipped with a range of infotainment features, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Higher trim levels offered upgrades like SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, Bose premium audio, and NissanConnect Services, which provided advanced features such as remote access, emergency SOS, and teen driver settings. Despite this extensive list, the 7-inch touchscreen interface was dated, slow to respond, and had subpar voice-recognition technology.

In comparison, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 featured standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM compatibility. Depending on the trim, the RAV4 offered touchscreen sizes ranging from 7 to 9 inches, and up to five USB ports. The infotainment system was user-friendly with clearly readable graphics and shortcut buttons, though it lacked the flashiness found in rival offerings. Higher trims did not have the head-up display that the RAV4 Prime boasted, but the system catered well to users seeking straightforward functionality over high-tech flair.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue included the Safety Shield 360 suite with essential driver-assistance features such as forward-collision warning, 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 were convenient. Optional ProPilot Assist offered adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, though it felt outdated compared to newer systems. The Rogue’s aging design impacted its safety ratings, achieving only four stars from NHTSA and falling short of IIHS’s Top Safety Pick due to headlight and front-passenger protection issues.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 excelled in safety, earning a “Top Safety Pick” from IIHS with “Good” scores in crash tests and a “Superior” rating for front-crash prevention technology. NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall rating. The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite provided comprehensive safety features, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, reverse automatic emergency braking, park assist, and an optional 360-degree camera.