2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trim levels, featured a single engine and transmission combination with a choice between front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD). Our test car for this review came with the SL trim, front-drive, SL Premium Package, carpeted floor and cargo mats, and a first-aid kit, and had a window-sticker price of $34,870, including a $1,095 destination charge.

Visually, the Rogue, despite its age, remained attractive. The V-Motion grille design was bold and perhaps a bit overdone, and the fender swells slightly exaggerated, but the Rogue SL’s 19-inch aluminum wheels added a touch of allure. However, upon entering the cabin, the vehicle’s age became evident. The waterfall control panel down the center of the dashboard and the older styling themes contrasted with the contemporary horizontal and angular motifs increasingly favored by designers. The plastic surfaces didn’t impress either.

However, the Rogue SL’s interior had a redeeming feature: the padded sides of the center console where drivers' legs might rest, showcasing thoughtful design.

On the other hand, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 was designed from the ground up as an electric vehicle (EV), boasting a distinctive look to highlight its electric nature. It avoided the fake ruggedness of gasoline Volkswagen Tiguan and Atlas crossovers, opting for a streamlined profile and wheels pushed out to the corners. The ID.4 was one in a series of EVs based on VW’s MEB platform and closely followed the European-market ID.3 hatchback.

The ID.4’s departure from conventional SUV styling was significant. Despite its slightly taller ride height and plastic body cladding, it closely resembled the ID.3 hatchback. This visual approach was in line with many other EV crossovers, such as the Chevy Bolt EUV, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Kia Niro EV, which didn’t strongly exhibit truck-like styling. The interior blended Volkswagen’s minimalism with a modern smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic surfaces. Standard features included a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats on the base Pro model, while leatherette upholstery was present in Pro S and 1St Edition models.

Nissan equipped the 2020 Rogue with a single engine—a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This setup, in a vehicle weighing up to 3,671 pounds, was merely adequate. The CVT managed to make the most of the power but resulted in a response of noise rather than action when acceleration was demanded, such as merging onto a freeway or climbing a mountain grade. Despite Nissan’s EPA estimates of 29 mpg combined for FWD versions, real-world testing only yielded 24.9 mpg, highlighting the inefficiency of the powertrain.

The Rogue’s attempt to refine ride and handling through technologies like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control (brake-induced) provided some improvement. However, the heavy electrically assisted steering, unsatisfactory suspension isolation, and the CVT’s drone detracted from the driving experience, making the Rogue more endured than enjoyed.

Conversely, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. It was notable for being the first rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Volkswagen passenger car sold in the U.S. since the Beetle. The balance provided by RWD, combined with the electric motor’s instantaneous torque, resulted in a fun experience when accelerating from stoplights. Later in 2021, an all-wheel-drive (AWD) version emerged, with added power from a second motor driving the front wheels, totaling 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque.

Despite these figures, the ID.4 was tuned more for comfort than sportiness. It exhibited body roll in corners but provided a smooth ride over pavement imperfections. While regen braking was present, the ID.4 predominantly relied on friction brakes, likening its driving experience to gasoline cars, a decision VW made to ease the transition for drivers new to EVs.

In terms of interior space, the 2020 Nissan Rogue posed some challenges for taller drivers. The seats, though featuring Nissan’s Zero Gravity cushion designs and Quick Comfort heating, offered limited adjustment options, impacting driver comfort. Backseat passengers, however, benefited from high seat cushions, excellent thigh support, a proper backrest angle, and a great view enhanced by the panoramic sunroof. Rear air conditioning vents and USB ports added to passenger comfort.

Cargo-wise, the Rogue excelled with 39 cubic feet of space behind the back seat, significantly more than competitors like the Mazda CX-5. Additional underfloor storage compartments and the standard Divide-n-Hide cargo management system further enhanced its practicality.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, though not offering as much rear headroom and legroom as gasoline competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, did provide more front headroom. The ID.4’s cargo capacity was 30.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 64.2 cubic feet with them folded. While not featuring a “frunk,” Volkswagen prioritized cabin space, making the interior feel spacious from the driver’s seat. However, thick rear pillars and a small back window compromised rearward visibility.

Instead of a conventional shift lever, the ID.4 employed a twist-grip gear selector on the dashboard, theoretically freeing up space but resulting in a narrow center console with limited larger item storage. Heated front seats and a steering wheel addressed cabin heat challenges in colder climates, but the driver’s seat lacked thigh support, impacting long-term comfort.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue’s infotainment system included basic connectivity features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and hands-free text messaging. Depending on the trim level, additional features such as SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and various NissanConnect Services were available. These services included Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, remote access functions, and safety communication features with trial periods ranging from six months to three years. Despite the sophisticated offerings, the system’s user interface, with a 7-inch touchscreen, was dated and marred by slow response times and subpar voice recognition.

Conversely, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 introduced a more modern setup with a 10-inch touchscreen (with a 12-inch optional), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 5.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and haptic touchpads replacing traditional switchgear. The novelty of the touchpads, without tactile feedback, made their use challenging while driving. However, Volkswagen’s natural-language voice-control system, activated by “Hello ID,” allowed for intuitive adjustments of temperature and radio stations. The ID.Light, a light strip offering additional feedback, was another noteworthy but non-essential feature. Yet, the placement of the main touchscreen and the choice of smartphone-like icons or a split-screen setup were practical and user-friendly.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue gathered several advanced driver-assistance systems under the Safety Shield 360 umbrella, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features like Rear Door Alert and Tire Fill Alert added convenience. Optional systems included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist, which offered adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability, though it felt dated compared to newer systems. The Rogue’s safety ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a lack of a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, primarily due to issues with frontal-impact protection.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in safety, earning the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. New to the 2021 lineup were Travel Assist, offering automated lane centering with adaptive cruise control, and Emergency Assist, designed to bring the car to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. These systems performed well, showing notable improvement over their gasoline counterparts and enhancing the overall safety profile of the ID.4.