2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Volvo XC90

In 2020, the Volvo XC90 no longer followed the boxy design trend of the ‛80s and ‛90s. The modernized SUV was a pinnacle of Volvo's aesthetic achievement, showcasing that a large SUV could be just as attractive as a sleek sedan. The R-Design trim took this to another level with its blacked-out, honeycomb grille accents, black window surrounds, mirrors, a pronounced chin spoiler, and striking 22-inch rims. The "Thor's hammer" LED headlights, standard in this model, created a distinctive look at night, mirrored by the sweeping LED taillights at the rear. The XC90’s design lines, marked by the arching shoulder crease that extended from the taillights, gave it a sense of width and stability.

The Thunder Grey Metallic paint of the test model had a blue hue reminiscent of Porsche's Graphite Blue and contrasted beautifully with the beige leather and aluminum interior. The R-Design also featured high-quality materials including wool fabric seats or leather with aluminum or carbon-fiber trim. The seats were expertly designed for comfort and support, featuring optional massage and thigh extensions. Notably, the hand-crafted details, such as the Swedish flag tag on the front passenger seat and the leather-draped center console, underscored Volvo's commitment to luxury and quality.

In 2021, the Nissan Rogue adopted a more technically sophisticated SUV appearance with dark gray plastic cladding around its lower perimeter, giving it a rugged look enhanced by bold simulated skid plates. With clean LED lighting, a prominent V-Motion grille, and well-proportioned design, the new Rogue was a modern and stylish SUV. The addition of aluminum wheels, up to 19 inches in size, with an optional two-tone paint and black roof, gave the Rogue a custom look that stood out.

The interior design of the Rogue was equally impressive. Our test SL trim featured an Almond leather interior with a standard panoramic glass sunroof, creating a light and airy cabin. Abundant soft-touch surfaces, simulated wood trim, and fabric-wrapped windshield pillars elevated the quality feel. For more luxury, the Platinum trim offered quilted semi-aniline leather, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting. Although the climate control numbers bore a retro look, the Rogue also impressively included a CD player alongside modern wireless Apple CarPlay.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrains, all based on a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The T5 variant delivered 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, which felt insufficient for a vehicle of this size. The T6 variant, however, added a supercharger for a total of 316 hp and 295 lb-ft, providing a much more appropriate level of power for the XC90's size. My test T6 model included the Polestar tune, boosting the output to 330 hp and 325 lb-ft, although it didn't make the vehicle feel significantly faster. The hybrid T8 model used an 11.6-kWh battery for a combined 400 hp and 472 lb-ft, but the added weight reduced its performance benefits. Fuel economy for the T5 and T6 models was lackluster, with my test showing an average of 20 mpg on the highway.

In comparison, the 2021 Nissan Rogue was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Although this output sufficed for daily driving, the Rogue felt underpowered, particularly when fully loaded or on inclines. Nissan hinted at the possibility of introducing a more powerful turbocharged variant in the future, akin to the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo in the Altima sedan, but as of the test, this was not available.

The Rogue's fuel economy was satisfactory, with the tested SL FWD achieving 27.5 mpg, close to its EPA rating. The Rogue excelled in ride quality and handling, with a new platform that included high-strength steel and advanced suspension systems for a robust and comfortable driving experience. The new steering design added precision and ease, further improving the driving dynamics over its predecessor.

Volvo's Sensus infotainment system in the 2020 XC90 had improved response times compared to earlier models, critical since it housed various controls within the touchscreen. Despite minor grievances with navigation and configuration, the overall interior layout was praiseworthy. The XC90 offered seven seats, making it an optimal family vehicle, with an optional integrated booster cushion for young children in the second row. Cargo capacity was generous, with up to 85.7 cubic feet available when the last two rows were folded. Sightlines from the driver's seat were excellent, adding to the vehicle's practicality.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue focused heavily on comfort, particularly with its Zero Gravity seat designs aimed at reducing stress and fatigue. These seats, available in cloth or leather depending on the trim, were comfortable and supportive. The Rogue also featured several heating options but lacked ventilated seats. Rear-seat headroom and legroom were more spacious than in previous models, and the rear doors opened nearly 90 degrees for easier access. The Rogue's interior was quieter due to various noise-reducing enhancements. Cargo capacity slightly decreased from the previous model, offering 31.6 cubic feet in the S and SV trims or 36.5 cubic feet in the SL and Platinum trims with a maximum of 74.1 cubic feet when the rear seat was folded.

The 2020 Volvo XC90 included Volvo Pilot Assist as standard, a semi-automated driving system combining adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist. The four-zone climate control and high-quality Bowers & Wilkins stereo system were standout features, the latter boasting 1,400 watts and multiple sound customization options. The touchscreen infotainment system was intuitive and high-res, but onboard apps were slow to load. While the instrument panel was somewhat limited in customization compared to competitors, it was functional.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue boasted an impressive infotainment suite with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto in the base S trim. Higher trims added more features, and the top Platinum trim included a 9-inch display, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay, a Bose audio system, wireless smartphone charging, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a head-up display. The system was user-friendly, albeit the knobs and buttons could be harder to use due to their design.

Volvo's 2020 XC90 had impeccable safety ratings, with top scores from NHTSA and IIHS, though it lacked the "+" designation due to headlight performance. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, driver-attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and traffic-sign recognition. Volvo's long history of safety innovation, like the boron steel roof and whiplash protection system, was evident in the XC90.

Nissan prioritized safety in the 2021 Rogue, equipping all trims with the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, which included features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety aspects included ten airbags, a driver monitoring system, and a rear-seat reminder. Higher trims featured ProPilot Assist with lane-centering assistance and Navi-link technology for adaptive speed control based on navigation data.