Used 2020 Nissan Rogue

#8 in Best Compact SUVs of 2020

The Rogue is Nissan’s best-selling vehicle, and it competes in the hot-selling segment of 5-passenger compact compact SUVs. For years it has tussled with contenders like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 as one of the most popular vehicles in its class. The 2020 Nissan Rogue boasts easy, comfortable driving manners, a roomy-for-its-size interior and standard tech like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

However, the Rogue is starting to show its age compared to fresher rivals like the all-new RAV4 that brings a few more standard safety and driver-assist features, not to mention better technology. One of the Rogue’s former differentiators — a hybrid version — has been dropped. That leaves the only-average 4-cylinder engine and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) as the sole powertrain choice. The Rogue plays Big Brother to the Rogue Sport, which is smaller and reviewed separately.

For everyday tasks like commuting to work, shuffling around the city or even longer highway treks, the Nissan Rogue is totally acceptable. It is comfortable and mostly quiet, except for the drone of the CVT under heavy acceleration.

Essentially, the Nissan Rogue is the vanilla of compact SUVs. It won’t tickle your fancy with the athletic, fun-to-drive manners of a Mazda CX-5, nor will it entice you to venture farther off road like a Jeep Cherokee, Subaru Forester or even the latest Toyota RAV4. Its sole engine, a 170-horsepower 4-cylinder, is adequate for most needs. The CVT transmission also isn’t exciting and can drone, but it is fuel efficient. For many people, this will suit them just fine.

If you’re pining for a hybrid SUV in this segment, check out the Toyota RAV4 hybrid or the forthcoming Ford Escape, which will offer hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.

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All Rogue models now have a 2-row/5-passenger configuration. The formerly available 3-row option was dropped a couple of years ago, and we can’t say it is missed since in the compact SUV. It was one of the smallest last rows we’d ever seen.

Base S and mid-trim SV models have cloth interiors, with genuine leather standard in top-line SL trims. Nissan has a knack for making comfortable seats, especially for the driver, and the Rogue is no exception. Legroom and headroom are good in both rows, with an EZ-Flex 40/20/40-split 2nd-row bench seat that tilts and slides fore and aft standard in all trims.

All Rogue models feature a 7-inch touch-screen display. It isn’t totally outdated yet, but it’s heading there. Fresher rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Subaru Forester have larger, more modern screens. Opt for the top-line SL trim and you’ll have a wider choice of interior colors. We like the almond and tan leather options.

At 70 cubic feet, cargo capacity with the rear seats folded is impressive. That’s not quite as much as the Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester, but still among the best in class and more than enough to hold a week’s worth of groceries.

We think Nissan’s 2020 Rogue is a handsome, relatively subdued compact SUV. Just look at it: Can you find one offensive trait? There is no garish grille or pretentious sporty design. Its angles have a nice blend of the rounded curves of most modern crossover SUVs while also parlaying some of the blockish angles of a classic SUV.

Nicer touches such as chrome door handles are standard on SV and SL models, and a panoramic moonroof is optional on those higher trims. If that doesn’t persuade you to skip the base S model, this next trait will: 2020 Rogue SV and SL models come with a power tailgate that is motion-activated. A well-placed sweep of the foot is the secret signal to open the rear hatch. Wheel sizes range in size from 17 to 19 inches.

EZ FLEX SEATING SYSTEM
The EZ Flex system allows all but the driver’s seat to fold flat, making accommodating large and bulky cargo a breeze. With the front-passenger seat folded flat, it’s possible to place an 8-foot surfboard in the Rogue.

NISSAN SAFETY SHIELD 360
Nissan’s suite of active safety and driver features includes front and rear automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning and blind-spot monitoring, while ProPilot Assist bundles adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The first system is standard on SV and top-line SL trims, while the ProPilot is optional on the SV.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue remains available in three trims: S, SV and SL. The least-expensive new Rogue S includes a 6-way manual-adjust driver’s seat, cruise control and keyless entry. Standard safety systems include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam assist.

Standard infotainment includes a 7-inch touch screen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and a 4-speaker audio system with AM/FM/USB/auxiliary inputs. If you’re a fan of CDs, the Rogue also retains a CD player, unlike fresher rivals.

For about $1,400 more, we highly recommend stepping up to the 2020 Rogue SV. That mid-trim compact-SUV model adds an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, power tailgate, leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, rear automatic braking, aluminum-alloy wheels and chrome door handles, heated outside mirrors (you’ll thank us come winter), rear privacy glass, roof rails, and upgraded 6-speaker audio system. You’ll also get an illuminated vanity mirror, automatic dual-zone climate control, push-button start, remote engine start and rear parking sensors. If this isn’t the best use of about $1,400 extra in a car, we don’t know what is.

At about $5,000 more, the Rogue SL adds navigation, leather seating, heated steering wheel, Bose audio system, auto-dimming rearview mirror with universal garage remote, and Nissan’s Around View 360-degree rearview camera. The SL also gets intelligent cruise control with the ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system, 19-inch wheels and an electronic parking brake.

All Nissan Rogue models can be had with all-wheel drive instead of the standard front-wheel drive.

All 2020 Rogue models use a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This isn’t the most exciting powertrain, but it is adequate and efficient. If you’ve never had a CVT before, it’s an automatic transmission with no set gears. They tend to drone and take some getting used to, but modern ones like this simulate shifts pretty well.

Like other compact SUVs, the Rogue is front-wheel drive (FWD) by nature, with all-wheel drive (AWD) optional and recommended if you routinely deal with snow and/or slippery conditions. There is no Rogue Hybrid for 2020, but at up to 33 mpg even the standard version is highly fuel efficient. If you have the need or desire to tow anything but the lightest loads, you’ll probably want to skip the Rogue as it is only rated to tow 1,102 pounds. Not many in this segment can do more, with the exception of the Jeep Cherokee that touts a 4,500-pound max rating.

2.5-liter inline-4
170 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
175 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/33 mpg (FWD), 25/32 mpg (AWD)