2020 Nissan Rogue vs Ford Escape

Is a crossover SUV or a mid-size SUV a better option? This question remains to be answered confidently and ultimately depends on the quality of the selected vehicle and the intentions of the buyer. The 2020 Nissan Rogue and the 2020 Ford Escape pair off perfectly in a battle between these two vehicle options.

The new 2020 Ford Escape is a vehicle that is worth of a valid comparison. Produced by an automaker that is known for affordable pricing combined with expectations of durability, Ford has included this mid-size SUV in its lineup as a median between its crossover options and full-size SUV layouts. Offering refinement and innovation, the Ford Escape is a popular SUV for many families.

In comparison, the new 2002 Nissan Rogue is an all-around versatile crossover that offers great value for the price it entails. It is spacious and affordable with a conventional interior that serves most families well. As a top-selling, compact SUV, the Nissan Rogue expects a redesign for 2021. However, its lack of a more recent redesigned has not hampered the Rogue's popularity among consumers.

Due to their widespread popularity and affordability, the 2020 Nissan Rogue and 2020 Ford Escape are two comparable contenders that should be considered in selecting a new SUV. These two automobiles offer reliability, space, and capable engines that rise above other models and help them stand out among the crowd. Though each of these SUVs features their own unique strengths, the general concept of both the Rogue and the Escape remain the same.

The Powertrain

Regardless of the type of vehicle you decide to invest in, it needs to be capable of performing the job when you need it the most. For sedans, this may be commuting. For pickups, this may be towing. Yet, for SUVs, this means navigating all types of terrain with multiple passengers and ample cargo on board. When your family wants to go on vacation or is running late to a sporting event, you want to be able to count on your new SUV to get you there safely and reliably.

The Ford Escape comes with several powertrain selections that make these aspirations possible. A base 1.5L turbocharged 3-cylinder can generate up to 181 horsepower and put out up to 190 lb.-ft of torque, making it the center of attention for such a small package. This engine option is available with an all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive setup. The Ford Escape also includes additional options that include a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder and a plug-in hybrid 2.5L 4-cylinder.

In comparison, the 2020 Nissan Rogue puts its faith in just one engine option: a 2.5L 4-cylinder setup. While this engine is capable of generating up to 170 horsepower and can output up to 175 lb.-ft of torque, a single engine option such as this can't being to compare to the multitude of options offered by the 2020 Ford Escape. While the Nissan Rogue once offered a hybrid engine that would make it a stronger competitor the Ford Escape, it was discontinued in 2020. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are both offered with the single engine the Nissan Rogue has to offer.

In terms of fuel economy, the hybrid version of the 2020 Ford Escape blows the Escape's gasoline engine options and the Rogue's specs out of the water. The hybrid Ford Escape can get up to 41 miles per gallon combined. In a more straightforward comparison, the Ford Escape AWD model is combined 28 miles per gallon barely peaks above the Nissan Rogue's AWD model that sees only 27 combined miles per gallon.

Drivability

As two of the best-selling compact SUVs on the market today, it is safe to assume that the 2020 Nissan Rogue and the 2020 Ford Escape are similarly impressive in their overall drivability and comfort. In fact, many individuals who are in the market for this type of a vehicle commonly find themselves comparing these two models. While we cannot address every single comparison between the two, we have assembled a comprehensive list of the high points of each of these SUV models.

If you are looking for a few more bells and whistles in the interior design of an SUV, the 2020 Ford Escape may be more suited for your preferences. The Ford Escape is a bit wider than its Nissan Rogue counterpart, which allows it to possess more shoulder space and hip room in all rows. Yet, this SUV actually has less cargo space than the Rogue by at least four inches in all directions. The Nissan Rogue is simply longer, offering more head space and leg room in all facets. It also offers a substantial amount of cargo area, which may be a big consideration for families who travel a lot.

While the 2020 Nissan Rogue may excel in cargo space and length, the 2020 Ford Escape wins the battle of interior design and concept integration. It features a high-class interior that is complimented by an infotainment system that sits proudly atop a superior dashboard. Resembling a tablet, this allows drivers to remain in control of their trip with quick controls and user-friendly features. In comparison, the Nissan Rogue has not seen a substantial interior upgrade since the introduction of its 2014 model, putting it at a slight disadvantage. Priding itself on consumer value, the Rogue is made from average-to-low quality interior materials that are easily noticeable.

At times, safety can greatly depend on how blind spots are handled in a vehicle's comprehensive design. With a setup that sits lower and allows more visibility in an open space, the Ford Escape offers wide open views of the road. However, the 2020 Nissan Rogue cannot say the same. With an infotainment system that is integrated into the center of the dashboard, the Rogue's design does not lend itself well to blind spot elimination. This can be uncomfortable for some drivers with a short stature.

Technology features are another area to consider between the 2020 Nissan Rogue and the 2020 Ford Escape. After all, a ride with limited amenities can be boring for passengers, especially on long trips. The highlights of each SUV's technology attributes include the following:

2020 Nissan Rogue

• Heated seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Panoramic sunroof
• Bose audio system
• Rear Power Foot-Activated Liftgate
• Rear seat alert
• LED lighting

2020 Ford Escape

• Sport seats
• Modern gauge cluster
• Bang & Olufsen sound system
• Heated steering wheel
• Panoramic sunroof
• Foot-Activated Rear Liftgate
• Multiple drive modes
• A/C Power Outlet
• Heated Steering Wheel

Safety

Modern vehicles incorporate more safety features than ever before. The transition into the inclusion of driver-assistive safety features has completely changed up the competition for vehicle design. However, the 2020 Nissan Rogue and the 2020 Ford Escape are more similar in the concept of safety than they are in any other category. Both SUVs incorporate sufficient safety features, without being too complex or costly. If anything, the Ford Escape edges above the Nissan Rogue, just barely, in national safety testing.

Each of these SUV options comes equipped with their own brand's rendition of a safety suite. For the 2020 Ford Escape, this is the Ford CoPilot-360. For the 2020 Nissan Rogue, this is Nissan's ProPilot Assist. The main active safety features of the 2020 Ford Escape include:

• Automated Emergency Braking
• Pedestrian Detection
• Lane-Keep Assist
• Automatic High Beams
• Blind-Spot Monitoring
• Rear Crash Detection

Comparatively, the main active safety features of the 2020 Nissan Rogue include:

• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Lane Departure Warnings
• Automatic High Beams
• Blind Spot Monitoring
• Optional Lane Keep Assist

Despite their comparable ratings in safety testing, the 2020 Ford Escape proves that it is just a step ahead of the competition. Performing better in crash testing, this SUV also offers more standard safety features with additional elements offered in higher trim levels. Though the Nissan Rogue also offers higher trim level safety elements, they are less encompassing than those of the Escape.

Which Has the Best Value?

Featuring similar MSRPs, these two SUVs can be comparable very closely in terms of comparative features, performance attributes, and design concepts. For its value, buyers can get more bang for their buck out of the 2020 Ford Escape. While it does have a slightly smaller cargo area, the elegance of the interior features makes up for this downfall. After all, the difference between the available cargo space between these two SUV options is not that great, anyway.

The options are endless when it comes to the 2020 Ford Escape. From its multiple powertrain options to its five trim levels, the Ford Escape offers more options to buyers than the Nissan Rogue's single powertrain setup and three trim level selections. Each of the trim levels for the Ford Escape also offer more choices within their specific level than those of the Nissan Rogue, giving buyers much more value for the price they are paying.

Which is Better?

While the comparison of these two models may prove that the 2020 Ford Escape is a better selection than the 2020 Nissan Rogue, this opinion is based mainly on buyer preference. What works for one buyer may not work for another. Buyer preferences, lifestyles, and vehicle usage must be thoroughly considered to assess each of these SUV model's accurately.

For buyers who are interested in controlling costs and are not as concerned about modern interior facets, the 2020 Nissan Rogue serves the purpose. It offers extra cargo space, more passenger room, and a simplistic approach to all its safety and technology attributes. The Nissan Rogue is straightforward and dependable, which is what some buyers are more comfortable with.

Buyers who enjoy a little more class and elegance may be happier with a 2020 Ford Escape. Those who would trade out a few inches of cargo space or passenger room for more inclusive and contemporary amenities may enjoy this SUV more than the Nissan Rogue. The Escape includes a better design, more innovative safety technology, and many more powertrain options than the Nissan Rogue has to offer. Therefore, buyers who enjoy many choices in their vehicle will also fare well with a Ford Escape instead of a Nissan Rogue.

Either one of these SUVs would be a viable option for a family, company, or individual who loves to travel. The SUV styling of both the 2020 Nissan Rogue and the 2020 Ford Escape increases user-friendly features, versatility, and dynamic design. With similarities in passenger capacity, towing maximums, and safety ratings, there are very few features that ultimately set these two SUVs apart from each other. This makes a buyer's decision-making process even more difficult than they might initially think.