2020 Nissan Rogue Sport Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Many people these days are looking for compact SUVs. It makes sense, since compact SUVs are easy to drive, have enough capability to handle most situations, and have some versatility. Among a large group of competitors, the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport stands out in a few ways. Its cabin is well-designed, and it has a solid engine that achieves great mileage.

The S trim of the Rogue Sport is the entry-level version. While it doesn't have all of the advanced features that the other models have, it's still a good option, especially if sticking to a budget is imperative. The SV is the middle option, and many people will find this trim to be the most attractive since it comes with some high-end amenities. For those who want it all, there's the SL trim.

What's New for 2020?

The Nissan Rogue has gotten some updates for the 2020 model year. Now, it has a slightly different exterior design that gives it a more chiseled appearance. Tweaks to the grille and hood along with the addition of LED daytime running lamps all contributed to this. Customers in 2020 have two more exterior paint colors to choose from; one of them is a bright lime green and the other is a bold orange.

What many people will pay attention to is the fact that the 2020 Nissan Rogue now comes with a standard suite of driver-assist systems. Previously, this package was only offered on the higher trims.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport – The Pros

1. Modern Design

The 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport is sleek and has a bit of an edge to it. The V-Motion grille catches the eye, and both the headlights and taillights have a boomerang-inspired design. Not only are they nice to look at, they play an important function. The angles incorporated into the exterior design of the vehicle have been carefully thought out. From the Nissan badge and rear spoiler to the available 19-inch machine-finished wheels and fog lights, every detail works together.

2. Goes Far on a Single Tank

The 141-horsepower, two-liter engine on the Nissan SUV is quite efficient. The front-wheel drive models can achieve up to 25 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway. When the Rogue Sport is configured as an all-wheel drive vehicle, mileage drops only slightly to 24/30 (city/highway) miles per gallon. Having a combined fuel economy of up to 28 miles per gallon helps the SUV be more appealing to those customers who are concerned about their gas consumption.

3. Full Suite of Safety Features

The Nissan Rogue Sport will get a lot of attention for being packed with safety features. All three trims come with a multitude of driver-assist technologies, and this can give people reassurance as they head out on roads where anything could happen.

Automatic emergency braking on the Rogue Sport comes with pedestrian detection, and this system can lower the chances of being involved in a frontal collision. For those people who are uneasy about having their vehicles take control of the vehicle, there's no need to be concerned. The vehicle will warn drivers about potential problems, and only if necessary will it apply pressure to the brakes to hopefully prevent an accident. A similar system, rear automatic braking, does the same job when the vehicle is in reverse.

Intelligent lane intervention keeps the driver from accidentally swaying out of a lane and into someone else's path. Blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert ensure that drivers are aware of other vehicles that may be difficult to see. A rearview monitor is included on every Rogue Sport for the same reason. Finally, high beam assist can ensure that the high or low beams are used appropriately, given the amount of light detected from other vehicles or street lights.

4. All-Wheel Drive is Available

Though the Rogue Sport is on the smaller side of SUVs, it still comes with available all-wheel drive. This can be key if anyone is ever on the roads when they're covered in snow or ice, as well as if one ever has to drive through muddy terrain or on gravel roads in which more traction would be helpful. The intelligent all-wheel drive system that this Nissan features can make adjustments almost instantaneously and eliminates the need for drivers to manually switch between two-wheel and four-wheel drive.

5. Plenty of Cargo Space

In the back of the Rogue Sport, there is 22.9 cubic feet of cargo room. This gives people a lot of space to carry groceries, luggage, sports equipment, or other types of gear. The rear seats can fold down whenever people need more space to accommodate bulky items, like snowboards or furniture. When those seats are lowered, cargo capacity can expand to 61.1 cubic feet. (Note that these numbers are for the S trim, which has a slightly different design than the others, resulting in a greater cargo capacity.)

6. Standard Smartphone Integration

It seems like many modern customers don't go anywhere without their smartphones. They'll be happy to hear that Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard features on the Nissan Rogue Sport. A smartphone can be easily connected to the vehicle's infotainment system, allowing people to quickly find contact information or favorite songs.

Bluetooth is another standard feature and makes it possible to make hands-free phone calls. The Rogue Sport also has a hands-free text messaging system and the ability to recognize certain voice commands.

7. Different Drive Modes

On some days, people may want to change things up. In the Rogue Sport, they can do so, thanks to different driving modes. The Eco mode would be used when people want to maximize their efficiency and keep things as smooth as possible. The Sport mode would provide the opposite experience, sharpening response and giving the SUV a more aggressive feel.

8. Large Touchscreen

The Rogue Sport has a seven-inch touchscreen from which people can control music playback, access certain apps, send and receive text messages, and more. Having a large touchscreen makes the vehicle more competitive in the market, since technology is one area in which automotive companies are really pushing themselves to stand out.

9. Advanced Driving Technology

Keeping the vehicle safer on the roads are a number of innovative systems. When it's time to start moving after having come to a complete stop, Hill Start Assist prevents the Rogue Sport from rolling backwards when it has been stopped on a hill. The Intelligent Engine Brake system makes deceleration less jerky, which can be greatly appreciated in stop-and-go traffic. Additionally, Active Ride Control smooths out the ride whenever the vehicle goes over bumps by adjusting braking and engine torque.

10. Available Remote Engine Start

The Rogue Sport can come with remote engine start. This is especially useful when it's really hot or very cold outside. When the engine gets turned on remotely, the climate system can start to work. After a few minutes, the cabin can get to a more reasonable temperature, making it much more comfortable when people make their way into the cabin.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport – The Cons

1. Not the Fastest at Accelerating

The Nissan Rogue Sport has an engine that should be sufficient for most situations that most drivers will face. However, it's far from being the most exciting engine out there. Some people who like a quick response might be disappointed by how quickly, or slowly, the Rogue Sport comes off the line.

2. Lowest Trim is a Bit Basic

The S trim is the most affordable, but it only has a manually adjustable driver's seat and cloth seats. It's the only trim to come without push-button start, a dual climate control system, and roof rails. This may leave some people feeling underwhelmed about it's amenities.

3. Loud Engine

Some luxury vehicles have cabins that are noticeably calm and peaceful, but the Rogue Sport isn't one of those. People will definitely hear the engine noise from where they're sitting because there aren't any specialized components blocking that sound.

4. Small Second Row

While the front-seat passenger and driver get to enjoy up to 42.8 inches of leg room, the people in the back only have 33.4 inches of leg room. This should be fine for kids and smaller adults, but taller people will probably be fighting over who gets to ride up front.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

Given a crowded market, it can be hard to be unique, but the Rogue Sport manages to do so in a few ways. Safety is the first way in which the Rogue Sport differentiates itself from many others, as rear automatic braking and intelligent forward collision warning are standard on the Nissan but not available on the Toyota C-HR or Honda HR-V. The Rogue Sport's available remote engine start system is another way in which the Nissan beats out other models. This feature is not available on the Toyota C-HR or Hyundai Tucson, and it may be a reason why some customers turn to Nissan.

Conclusion

As a nicely equipped compact SUV, the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport is attractive on many levels. It has an updated style, with some available high-end exterior features. It also has a comfortable cabin, though it's a little cozy in the back. The cargo space is a plus, especially considering the rear seats can be folded down to create more room. Capability, technology, and safety are other strong points for the Rogue Sport. Overall, it would make for a good investment, and it'll likely prove to be reliable for anyone in the market for a new SUV.