2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, resembling a larger Subaru Forester, was praised for its practical and utilitarian design. It featured gray plastic cladding for protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares for visual strength. The robust roof rails and appealing 20-inch aluminum wheels added to its functional and stylish appearance. The base model, starting at $31,995, came with smaller 18-inch wheels and lacked dark-tinted privacy glass. Upgrading to the Premium trim at $34,395 offered better detailing and a superior infotainment system. The Limited trim at $39,345 added leather seats, while the top-tier Touring trim at $45,045 included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and other luxury enhancements. The test vehicle, a Touring trim, was priced at $46,285 and featured a stunning Abyss Blue Pearl paint and Java Brown leather interior, exuding a sense of quality and style.

In contrast, the 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trims, maintained an attractive appearance despite its age. The bold V-Motion grille and exaggerated fender swells were notable design elements, with the SL trim's 19-inch aluminum wheels enhancing its appeal. However, the interior revealed its age with older styling themes and unimpressive plastic surfaces. The waterfall control panel and rounded forms were outdated compared to modern designs. Despite this, the Rogue SL's padded center console sides provided a thoughtful touch for driver comfort. The test vehicle, equipped with SL trim, front-drive, and additional packages, was priced at $34,870, including destination charges.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, delivering 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD), it offered good acceleration and maintained power at higher elevations. However, it was a thirsty powertrain, averaging 18.9 mpg during testing, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg. The Ascent's handling was not particularly sporty, with slow and numb steering and a suspension that struggled with pavement undulations. The CVT, while decent, produced uneven power delivery and unpredictable performance. The shifter felt cheap, and the vehicle rolled significantly when parked on a hill. Despite these drawbacks, the Ascent excelled on freeways and off-road, thanks to its Active Torque Split AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction system, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue featured a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT. While the powertrain was adequate for everyday driving, it struggled during acceleration, passing, and climbing grades. The CVT did its best to make the most of the engine's power, but the Rogue's response was often more noise than action. The EPA estimated 29 mpg in combined driving for FWD versions, but testing revealed a lower 24.9 mpg. The Rogue's ride and handling were improved by brake-induced technologies like Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, but it was not particularly fun to drive. The steering was lifeless and heavy, and the suspension lacked isolation. The CVT drone further detracted from the driving experience, making the Rogue more of a vehicle to endure than enjoy.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent offered a comfortable and spacious interior, especially in the Touring trim. The leather seats were soft and supple, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The driver's seat was 10-way power-adjustable with a manual thigh support extension. The front seats provided significant track travel, making the Ascent appealing to tall people. The dashboard featured a useful shelf and upscale ambient lighting, though the control panel's appearance was somewhat dated. Storage options included a center bin, door panel bins, and a glove compartment. The Ascent could be configured with a second-row bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter offering comfort and convenience. The third-row seat was relatively comfortable, with easy access and acceptable space for shorter trips. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's interior comfort was less impressive, particularly for taller drivers. The seats, while featuring Nissan's Zero Gravity cushion designs, were somewhat undersized. The driver's seat height adjustment was limited, making it difficult to find a comfortable driving position. The back seat, however, offered excellent thigh support and a proper backrest angle, with a high seating position providing a good view. Rear passengers benefited from air conditioning vents and available USB charging ports. In-cabin storage was limited, with only the glove compartment offering significant space. The Rogue excelled in cargo volume, providing 39 cubic feet of space behind the back seat, along with underfloor storage compartments and a standard Divide-n-Hide cargo management system.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent came equipped with the Starlink infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, integrated apps, and a CD player. Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security connected services. The Touring trim improved with a high-resolution screen and navigation. While the screen size was small by modern standards, the display was satisfying, and the controls were logically laid out. However, the voice-control system was outdated and unresponsive. The navigation system occasionally misplaced the vehicle's location, causing frustration. On the positive side, Bluetooth pairing and music streaming were easy, and the Harman Kardon speakers provided rich sound quality. The Ascent Touring also offered a 180-degree front camera view, a 180-degree rear camera view, and a PIN Code Vehicle Access system for active lifestyles.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Depending on the trim level, upgrades included SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation with door-to-door assistance, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services. NissanConnect Services offered features like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, remote access, automatic collision notification, emergency SOS calling, and safe teen driver settings. However, the Rogue's 7-inch touchscreen was outdated, with slow response times and subpar voice-recognition technology. The navigation system was difficult to use, and the overall tech experience was lacking.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was built on Subaru's latest global platform, designed for exceptional occupant protection. It received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The EyeSight system included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited trim included LED steering-responsive headlights and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected helpful indicators onto the windshield, enhancing safety. The Ascent also featured a rear-seat reminder system and Starlink Safety Plus connected services, offering automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and quick access to roadside assistance.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's safety features were comprehensive but left room for improvement. The standard Safety Shield 360 collection included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included a Rear Door Alert and a Tire Fill Alert system. Optional safety features included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability. However, the Rogue's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and lower ratings from the IIHS, preventing it from earning a Top Safety Pick designation.