2020 Nissan Rogue Sport Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport can appeal to a lot of modern consumers. It's relatively compact for an SUV, making it easy to maneuver, but it also has a good-sized cargo area in the back. Plus, it has a sophisticated style to it, both on the exterior and interior. It's an attractive vehicle, and it's competitive pricing helps it be even more desirable.

There are three trims of the Nissan Rogue Sport. The S is the base model, and it's followed by the SV and the SL. As the trim level rises, so does the quality of the features. The SL, as one might expect, has the most premium elements and high-tech systems to make it worthy of a higher cost.

While the trims may differ in many ways, they all run on the same engine. The 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport is powered by a 2.0-liter engine, which has four cylinders and an advanced valve timing system. The Xtronic continuously variable transmission that is matched to the engine is great at accelerating and allows for smooth transitions between different speeds. The Rogue feels fairly light on its feet, with 141 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque.

Efficiency is a bonus with the Rogue Sport. It's capable of achieving an estimated 32 miles per gallon on the highway, and when driving in the city, people can expect to earn up to 25 miles per gallon. The Rogue Sport has several drive modes to choose from, including an Eco drive mode which maximizes efficiency. On the other hand, the Sport Steering mode would be the one that would make it easy to feel the engine revving.

All-wheel drive is available on all three trims of the Rogue Sport. Nissan uses an intelligent all-wheel drive system that can make almost instantaneous changes in a response to the conditions. With this system, the engine will deliver power to all four wheels as the vehicle gets moving. Once the SUV has increased its speed, all the power is concentrated in the front wheels to improve efficiency. As the SUV travels around tight corners or over slippery roads, due to mud, rain, snow, or ice, power will be redistributed to optimize traction.

A few other systems are found on the Nissan Rogue Sport that can enhance the overall driving experience. Active Ride Control smooths things out by making little tweaks to the brakes and engine torque whenever the vehicle goes over bumps or dips in the road. Intelligent Trace Control can come in handy when turning, as it can adjust braking to each individual wheel to make for better cornering. Also, the Intelligent Engine Brake can make braking less jerky when someone is in stop-and-go traffic.

In the Nissan Rogue Sport, five passengers can be accommodated, and total passenger volume is 96 cubic feet. Things are roomy and comfortable in the front, and in the back, the seating area is a bit more cozy. Rear-seat passengers have 33.4 inches of leg room, compared with the 42.8 inches of leg room in the front. Behind the second row of seats, there is 20 cubic feet of storage space, which is an ideal amount of room for many customers. The back seats can be folded down, to expand cargo capacity to 53.3 cubic feet, if anyone ever has to carry larger items.

As can be seen, the three trims of the Rogue Sport definitely have many similarities. How they differ is detailed below.

Compare the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport S vs SV Trim Levels. What is the difference?

If the S and SV trims of the Rogue Sport were side by side, there would be a few differences that would jump out at anyone. First, the SV has roof rails, in case drivers need to secure gear to the top of their SUVs. Fog lights are available on the SV but not on the S, and the SV has LED turn signal indicators built into its outside mirrors. Those mirrors are heated, which can be very convenient in the colder months. The S has smaller wheels than the SV does, as it rides on 16 x 6.5" steel wheels versus 17 x 7.0" wheels made out of aluminum-alloy.

Inside, the differences continue. The SV is the only trim out of these two that has a power-adjustable driver's seat. It comes with two-way lumbar support, which many people will appreciate, and it can move in eight different ways. In contrast, the driver's seat on the S is a manually operated one that moves in six ways. Both models have a manually operated front-passenger's seat.

Both trims have a 60/40 split-folded seat in the rear to allow people to lower only one side down when necessary. The cloth seats on the S are upgraded to premium cloth seats on the SV. Leatherette is an option on the SV, as are heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

In the S, the air conditioning system can certainly do its job, but it can be more convenient to have a dual-zone climate control system like the SV has. This makes both the driver and front passenger happy, able to control their own side. Another component that's not necessary but nice to have is the SV's push button ignition and the Nissan Intelligent Key, which is a system that recognizes the presence of the key in close proximity. Drivers just have to touch their door handles to unlock them, rather than pressing a button or physically unlocking them with their keys. The S only has a remote keyless entry system.

One thing that's great about the Nissan Rogue Sport S is that it comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard features. It's not always easy to find smartphone integration in entry-level models, so this is a factor that can help the Rogue Sport draw some attention in a crowded SUV market.

The Rogue Sport S comes with a NissanConnect touchscreen that measures seven inches, and its infotainment system has the ability to recognize certain voice commands. Other components that can keep drivers' hands on their wheels are Siri Eyes Free, a hands-free text messaging assistant, and Bluetooth. If any adjustments do need to be made to the infotainment system, there are some controls mounted on the steering wheel that can be used.

The Sport SV has all of these features as well. In addition, both models have SiriusXM Radio to keep people entertained, a CD player, and MP3 playback capability. A USB port and auxiliary audio input jack are included on the vehicle to make it easier for people to access their favorite media content. While the Rogue Sport S has four speakers, the SV has six speakers.

In the safety department, the two trims are comparable. They both have cruise control, several air bags that protect both the front and rear passengers, and the LATCH system for child seats. They come with many driver-assist features, such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and automatic high beams.

What's impressive is that they both have automatic emergency braking. This system can detect potential frontal collisions with other vehicles or people on the street, and it can warn drivers and apply pressure to the brakes if necessary. A similar system can take corrective action to keep people from drifting out of their lanes. The SV has the option to include a driver alertness monitoring system, a 360-degree camera system, and an advanced cruise control system that Nissan calls ProPILOT assist.

Compare the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport SV vs SL Trims. What is the difference?

On the SL, many more upgrades are found, and additional add-ons are available. For example, the SL is the only trim to have the option of getting a power-operated moonroof as well as LED headlights that look much more modern than the standard halogen headlights. The SL is equipped with 19-inch wheels that look considerably larger than the 17-inch counterparts in the SV.

With the Rogue Sport SL, there's the option to have the front-passenger's seat be power-operated, just like the driver's seat. Some people may appreciate this little touch. On both the SL and SV, a memory system can be included, and this would give the SUV the ability to memorize pre-set positions for the driver's seat and outside mirrors.

Perhaps the first thing that people will notice about the SL is its leather-appointed seats. Leather is soft and luxurious, and it can make people feel like they're riding in a more high-end vehicle. The front seats in the Rogue Sport SL are heated, as is the steering wheel, and the shift knob is wrapped in leather to further enhance the feel inside the cabin.

What is really convenient about the SL is its remote engine start. From the comfort of a home, office, or wherever one may be, people can start their cars before they get in. Since the climate control system can be turned on at the same time, the SUV can either be warmed up in the winter or cooled down in the summer, and having the climate system going for a few minutes can greatly affect how comfortable things are.

Another cool feature that's available on the SL is a high-tech rearview mirror. It can sense bright lights and automatically dim so people aren't blinded by those lights. This rearview mirror is built with HomeLink technology, so it can act as a garage door opener. Eliminating the need to carry around one extra item might not seem like a big deal, but it can be, since some drivers use their garage doors multiple times a day.

The infotainment system is an area in which more upgrades are found on the SL. This top-of-the-line trim is the only Rogue Sport trim to have built-in navigation. Having door-to-door directions can be useful whenever venturing out to a new place. Nissan's navigation system comes with traffic updates, so drivers can figure out ways to avoid traffic jams. The SL is also the only trim to have SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link to provide even more information. A Bose audio system, which comes with a subwoofer to boost the bass, is an option only on the SL. If customers don't opt for that Bose system, they'll have the same six-speaker system that the SV has.

A few more ways in which the trims differ are related to driver-assist system, as the SL goes above and beyond what the other trims have. The ProPILOT assist system that was mentioned before is standard on the SL. Other standard components that come with its safety package are a 360-degree monitoring system that Nissan calls an Intelligent Around View Monitor, a driver alertness system that can keep people focused on the road, and Traffic Sign Recognition. With this last system, the Rogue Sport can read traffic signs and give that information to the driver through one of the vehicle's screens. It would come in handy, for example, when the speed limit changes and drivers don't have a chance to read every sign.

Which Trim to Choose?

These three versions of the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport are all good options. The S is priced more competitively than the rest, but the others come with reasonable price tags as well. In fact, the jump from trim to trim doesn't come with such a big price difference. In some ways, this fact makes it easier to decide on a trim, and in other ways, it makes it harder.

Since every model of the Nissan Rogue Sport runs on the same type of engine, performance isn't a factor. It all comes down to the extras that people want to have in their vehicles. Are the basics, which really aren't that "basic," enough, or does a customer want the best of what the vehicle has to offer?

When taking everything into consideration, the SL comes out as the winner. It's the only one to have leather seats, the more comprehensive safety systems, and navigation. As the industry progresses, all of those features seem to become more commonly found, and the SL can compete well with other vehicles in this regard. It also comes with the option to get the moonroof, and some people really enjoy having this so they can let in the fresh air when the weather is nice.

If the budget just isn't there for the SL, the SV is the next best choice. It has a nicer cabin than the S in a few different ways, and this can improve the overall driving experience.