2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2021 Nissan Rogue

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had undergone a significant redesign in 2019, shifting from a soft-roader look to a more rugged, angular design reminiscent of Toyota's 4Runner. The new front fascia featured trapezoidal apertures and a perforated grille, giving the vehicle a robust and mechanical appearance. Dark trim around the wheel wells and doorsills hinted at the RAV4's off-road capabilities. The RAV4 Hybrid was available in four trims: LE, XLE, XSE, and Limited, with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 18 inches. LED headlights and taillights were standard, with adaptive headlights available only on the top trim.

Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid's design was simple yet functional, featuring tasteful shiny trim. Although leather upholstery was not available, the Softex seats provided a comfortable experience. The interior materials, including plastics, were of good quality, though not quite matching some competitors like the Honda CR-V Hybrid.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue, meanwhile, sported a fresh, technical appearance that made it look more like an SUV than a car. Dark gray plastic cladding along the lower perimeter and bold simulated skid plates added a rugged feel, particularly on the rear bumper. Clean LED lighting, a prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned body lines contributed to its modern aesthetic. The Rogue was offered in four trims: S, SV, SL, and Platinum, with wheel sizes up to 19 inches. A two-tone paint option with a black roof gave the SUV a custom look.

The Rogue's interior was notably improved, with an Almond color leather interior and a panoramic glass sunroof in the test vehicle. Soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars enhanced the sense of quality. Controls were logically arranged, and the Platinum trim featured quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting, providing a luxurious feel. Despite its old-school digital clock-like climate control panel and the presence of a CD player, the Rogue was equipped with modern technologies like wireless Apple CarPlay.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 219 horsepower. This was 16 more than the standard RAV4. The RAV4 Hybrid boasted an impressive EPA fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon, a figure that was achievable in real-world driving. This hybrid system used a novel arrangement where the front wheels were powered by an electric motor inside the hybrid transaxle, and the rear wheels were driven by a second electric motor under the cargo floor, eliminating the need for a traditional driveshaft.

This setup made the RAV4 Hybrid only about 200 pounds heavier than its non-hybrid counterpart, benefiting both handling and fuel economy. The hybrid system seamlessly provided power, making the RAV4 Hybrid quicker to accelerate than the non-hybrid model. Regenerative braking was smooth, and the hybrid system could tow up to 1,750 pounds. The steering was light, and the suspension was soft, favoring comfort over sportiness.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. While this output was adequate for daily driving, the Rogue felt underpowered, especially when weighed down with passengers and cargo. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) performed well, simulating traditional gear shifts, and paddle shifters were included but rarely used.

The Rogue offered all-wheel drive, 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, enhancing its off-road capability. However, the vehicle felt sluggish on inclines and during aggressive acceleration. Despite this, the Rogue achieved a respectable 27.5 miles per gallon during testing, slightly below its EPA rating.

Nissan had significantly improved the Rogue's ride and handling, thanks to a new architecture with 35% high-strength steel, a strut front, and multi-link rear suspension. Features like Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control contributed to a smooth and athletic ride. The new steering system, with electric assist moved to the steering rack and a quicker ratio, provided better feedback and accuracy.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured excellent ergonomics, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen (8-inch optional) prominently placed atop the dashboard. The layout included hard buttons and knobs for volume and tuning, with climate controls positioned lower in the center dash stack. The center console offered space for a cell phone, cupholders, and a large storage bin.

One downside of the RAV4's cabin was the noise level, although the hybrid model was quieter than the non-hybrid version. The rear seat provided impressive legroom, comfortably seating three adults. The RAV4 Hybrid maintained the same interior and cargo space as the standard model, offering 98.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue aimed for comfort with its Zero Gravity seat designs, which were more effective and comfortable in the new model. The seats varied by trim, with cloth in the S trim and leather in the higher trims. The Rogue offered ample rear-seat headroom and legroom, with rear doors opening to a nearly 90-degree angle for easier access. The rear seat could accommodate three child safety seats, and a rear-seat reminder system was standard.

Nissan had taken steps to reduce interior noise, using aerodynamic improvements and acoustic glass. Storage was well-designed, with an electronic shifter freeing up space under the center console and large door-panel pockets. The Rogue's cargo space was generous, with up to 36.5 cubic feet behind the second row and 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid introduced Android Auto alongside Apple CarPlay, enhancing its infotainment capabilities. All trims featured SiriusXM Radio with a 3-month free trial. Toyota's Entune multimedia software was less favored compared to the smartphone integrations. The RAV4 Hybrid also offered WiFi Connect with a 3-month, 2GB trial.

The RAV4 Hybrid included USB-A ports but lacked USB-C ports. Higher trims featured additional USB-A charging ports. Other notable technologies included Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility and Predictive Efficient Drive, which optimized battery efficiency based on driver inputs and navigation data. The drive mode selector allowed drivers to choose between Eco, Sport, Trail, and Normal modes.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system varied by trim, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto in the S trim. Higher trims added NissanConnect Services, a WiFi hotspot, and integration with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim featured a larger 9-inch touchscreen, door-to-door navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a Bose premium audio system.

The Rogue's infotainment system had some usability issues with small knobs and shortcut buttons, but overall, it worked well. Platinum trim also included wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including a pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign assist. It also included a 1-year trial of Safety Connect. Additional safety features like blind spot monitoring and parking assist were optional.

The RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with top scores in side crash tests. It had two safety recalls related to engine coolant leaks and suspension issues.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue prioritized safety with its Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. The Rogue also featured ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder system. The Platinum trim added an airbag between the driver and front passenger.

Adaptive cruise control with ProPilot Assist was standard starting with the SV trim, offering improved accuracy and smoothness. The SL Premium Package and Platinum trim included ProPilot Assist with Navi-link, which used navigation data to adjust speed for curves and junctions. The Rogue's new architecture and increased use of high-strength steel aimed to enhance crash protection, though crash-test results were pending.