2020 Nissan Rogue Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

Introduced for the second generation back in 2014, the Nissan Rogue continues to struggle to keep afloat in a sea full of SUVs. The 2020 Nissan Rogue offers a lot of the things small SUV drivers are looking for, but it also has a few drawbacks. There are certainly some things that need to be updated in order to bring the Rogue up-to-date, including the touchscreen display. However, the Rogue offers plenty of space and a well-mannered ride that provides lasting comfort for passengers in the front and back seats.

What's New for 2020?

No real changes have been made to the 2020 Nissan Rogue. Essentially everything carries over from the previous model year.

 

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

1. A Pleasant Ride Quality

One of the 2020 Nissan Rogue's biggest selling points is its pleasant ride quality. You can take this thing on the rockiest of roads and still get a compliant ride without any bumps making their way into the cabin. Everything is quickly absorbed so that everyone's comfort is maintained. Ride quality of this degree is not something that you can find in just any SUV.

2. A Quiet Cabin

Along with having a well-behaved ride quality, the Nissan Rogue's cabin remains quiet. Wind, road, and tire noise scarcely make their way into the cabin. And, as for the engine, it stays muted when the vehicle is cruising along on the highway. You will not have to crank your vehicle's audio or shout just to get your backseat passengers to hear you.

3. Many Standard Driver Aids

To keep pace with its competition, the 2020 Nissan Rogue is given a long list of standard driver aids. While many who have been driving for years will be hesitant to use some of these features, many of them can be quite helpful. The ProPilot Assist system is Nissan's bundle of semi-autonomous driver aids. The list of features includes lane centering, brake assist, and speed control. The only other vehicles that have it are the Rogue Sport, Leaf, and Altima. You can also get a surround-view monitor and forward emergency braking among the overall list of driver aids.

4. Plenty of Cabin Space

Up front and in the rear, the Nissan Rogue has a cavernous appeal. It is designed so that all occupants have enough head, shoulder, and leg room. The rear seats can slide back and forth, which gives taller passengers extra leeway for getting in, getting cozy, and getting back out again. It feels as though the cabin was crafted with just about every size of person in mind.

5. A Good Amount of Cargo Space

Need a good chunk of space for storing cargo? The 2020 Nissan Rogue has it. With 39.3 cubic feet of cargo space available when all seats are in place, the Rogue has one of the most spacious cargo areas in its segment. Fold the rear seats down, and you will get a solid 70 cubes. In other words, you can store several weeks' worth of groceries or a bulky double stroller back there. The possibilities seem endless.

6. The Bose Sound System

While the four- or six-speaker sound systems are just fine, upgrading to the nine-speaker Bose premium sound system almost feels like a 'must' for music-lovers. The speakers emit high-quality sound, even though sometimes the bass might sound a bit too thrust-y. Still, it is a system that makes rockin' out in the car to your favorite jams all the more enjoyable.

7. Secure Brakes

Although the brake pedal might feel too soft for some people, the brakes do still manage to feel secure enough. The Rogue can come to an emergency stop with a slight bit of panic, but in everyday braking situations, it feels like smooth sailing. The longer you spend getting to know these brakes, the more comfortable you will feel with using them in emergency situations.

8. Stable Handling Capabilities

The 2020 Nissan Rogue is not exactly sporty (leave that to the Sport variant), but it does have agile enough handling abilities. It can round through mid-corner bumps just fine and does not exhibit much in the way of body roll, something which always seems to be hit-or-miss on SUVs.

9. Comfy Seats

Ask any Nissan driver, and they will likely tell you that one of the things they love most about their vehicle is the cozy seating. The same can certainly be said for thr 2020 Nissan Rogue. Its seats are packed with comfort and support, in the front and in the back. Even though the back seats have a bit of height from the floor, they manage to keep riders feeling relaxed for hours on end. This is one vehicle that people will want to take road trips in.

10. Getting In and Out is Easy

With its wide door openings, getting in and out of the Rogue is fairly simple. If rear seat passengers need more space to enter or exit, all they have to do is slide those seats back, and a bevvy of space opens up. It is a handy design element that vastly improves accessibility for passengers and drivers alike.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2020 Nissan Rogue – The Cons

1. Slow to Accelerate

The main problem with the 2020 Nissan Rogue is that the engine seems hesitant to accelerate, and that is not something you should expect from a crossover SUV. Trying to pass other vehicles or merge onto the highway is a chore, to say the least. The 2.5-L 4-cylinder only makes 170 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque, wheel feels uninspired on this vehicle. To make matters even worse, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) takes its sweet time shifting between gears. Together, this makes for a bland performance at best and, at worst, a hair-pulling-ly slow one.

2. An Outdated Infotainment Screen

Even though this is kind of a petty gripe, it is a gripe all the same. The Rogue's infotainment screen is horribly outdated. Its graphics are not the highest in terms of quality, and you are stuck with the 7-inch display. There is no option for upgrading to a bigger and better one, which is a real shame. If Nissan wants to remain in the competition, they are going to have to outfit the Rogue with more high-tech gadgets that work well.

3. Poor Visibility

Unfortunately, the 2020 Nissan Rogue's limitations extend to some pretty poor visibility. Not only will the driver have a hard time finding a good driving position since there are not too many ways to adjust the seat, but rear visibility is hindered by bulky rear roof pillars and a small windshield. This makes for a lot of blind spots, and those are not something you should want to deal with on a crossover like this.

4. Interior Materials Do Not Seem High-quality

Another thing that Nissan will need to change in order to keep up appearances is, well, appearances. The interior materials are what you might expect to find in an older budget car, not in a brand-new crossover SUV. There are too many hard plastic surfaces, even in the line-topping SL trim level. Most of the competition looks at least somewhat more upscale than the Rogue.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2020 Nissan Rogue vs. 2020 Honda CR-V

The 2020 Honda CR-V presents stiff competition for the 2020 Nissan Rogue since it is being hailed as a best-in-class vehicle. While the CR-V's base LX trim does not have a very exciting engine, the EX and above trims have a great turbocharged option. Also, space throughout the cabin and cargo area is well-designed with versatility at its core. The interior is large, so there is plenty of room for all types of people to fit in it.

2020 Nissan Rogue vs. 2020 Mazda CX-5

Another vehicle looking to make a splash this model year is the 2020 Mazda CX-5. This SUV does not have a lively base engine, but the higher-level options are worth consideration. The CX-5 has spunky steering and handling capabilities though, and the cabin is well-insulated from outside noise. Top that all off with some chic, high-quality interior materials and you've got some serious competition for the Rogue.

Conclusion

The 2020 Nissan Rogue is definitely a mixed bag. It has a remarkably peaceful cabin, but the quality of materials used leaves a lot to be desired. The underwhelming powertrain and outdated infotainment system are, yet again, holding the Rogue back from playing with the big boys. Hang on for one more year if you really want a Rogue. It is due for an overhaul to mark the entry into its third generation, so the 2021 line-up should be vastly different. With any amount of luck, Nissan will make the right changes so that the Rogue can race to the top of the pack.