2020 Nissan Rogue

2020 is the last model year of the second-generation (T32) Rogue, and it carries over the naturally aspirated 2.5L four. Because it is the only engine, 170 hp is also the range max. That is below the CR-V 1.5T (190) and RAV4 (203), and near the floor of the SUV band.

175 lb-ft arriving at 4,400 rpm is about par for a non-turbo compact SUV. It trails the CR-V's turbo (179 lb-ft at lower rpm) and the RAV4 (184).

Test results for the T32 2.5L AWD cluster between 9.0 and 9.5 s, making it one of the slowest mainstream compact SUVs of its time. The CR-V 1.5T runs about 8.0 s and the RAV4 about 8.0–8.4 s.

The 2.5L is smooth and quiet at a cruise, but reviewers consistently call it underpowered. It feels strained and buzzy when merging or passing with passengers aboard, which is weaker than the turbo and hybrid rivals of its day.

The Xtronic CVT is smooth and never shift-shocks in normal driving. Under hard throttle it holds high revs with pronounced drone and rubber-band feel, and it lacks the stepped logic Nissan added to later CVTs.

A 1,102 lb rating covers only the smallest utility trailers. It is below the 1,500 lb CR-V/RAV4 and at the floor of the SUV band.

Intelligent AWD is optional on every trim (S, SV, SL) and has a driver-selectable AWD lock mode. It is a basic on-demand system with no terrain modes, low range or torque vectoring.

About 8.4 in of ground clearance and AWD Lock handle gravel and snowy roads. There is no off-road trim, skid plating, hill-descent-focused hardware or drive-mode selector, so this is a pavement-first crossover.

The 2020 US Rogue offers one powertrain: the 2.5L with a CVT, in FWD or AWD. The Rogue Hybrid (2017–2019) was dropped for 2020, while the RAV4, CR-V and Escape all offered hybrids that year.

The EPA rates the 2020 Rogue AWD at 27 MPG combined and the FWD at 29. That is mid-pack for a gas compact SUV, behind the RAV4 AWD (28) and CR-V AWD (29).

25 MPG city with AWD (26 with FWD) is typical for a naturally aspirated compact SUV.

31 MPG highway with AWD (33 with FWD) is respectable, but it trails the later VC-Turbo Rogue by 4 MPG.

A small 14.5-gallon tank at 27 MPG combined gives about 392 miles for the AWD, which is below average for a gas compact SUV.

The EPA estimates $2,400 a year for the AWD and $2,250 for the FWD on regular fuel, which is middling for the class.

The naturally aspirated 2.5L is designed for regular unleaded on every trim, and no premium is recommended.

The 2020 Rogue, the last year of the second-generation T32, earned 4 stars overall in both drivetrains. A 3-star driver-side frontal result pulled it down. Most compact-SUV rivals earned 5 stars overall that year.

It won Top Safety Pick (not TSP+), but only when fitted with the LED projector headlights from the SL Premium Package. Every other crash test was rated Good except the passenger-side small overlap, which was Acceptable.

Every trim, S included, gets AEB with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert and high beam assist. The volume SV adds rear automatic braking. Adaptive cruise and lane keeping come only with the SV Premium Package, as part of ProPILOT Assist, or standard on the SL.

The standard system earned IIHS's top Superior rating in the vehicle-to-vehicle test. Daytime pedestrian AEB was rated Advanced, one step below Superior, and IIHS had no nighttime pedestrian result for this model.

Radar blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on every trim, and the volume SV adds rear automatic braking. Blind-spot coverage only warns the driver and does not steer or brake, and there is no safe-exit alert.

The volume trim gets lane departure warning only. ProPILOT Assist, the option that adds steering assist and lane centering, is extra-cost on the SV and standard only on the SL. Reviewers found it helpful but noted it wanders and hands control back on weakly marked roads.

A base or volume SV Rogue has ordinary cruise control. Where fitted, ProPILOT's Intelligent Cruise Control works across the full speed range with stop-and-hold and is reasonably well liked. It is not on the volume configuration by default.

No hands-free option exists. ProPILOT Assist requires hands on the wheel, and hands-off ProPILOT Assist 2.0 was never offered on the Rogue.

The halogen reflector headlights on the S, SV and base SL were rated Poor by IIHS. The only better lamps, rated just Acceptable, are the LED projectors in the SL Premium Package. High beam assist is standard.

It has an upright greenhouse and decent forward sightlines. The thick D-pillars and a sloping rear window create rear-quarter blind zones. The volume trim relies on a rear camera and rear sonar; the 360-degree Around View Monitor is SV Premium / SL only.

IIHS rated the LATCH hardware Acceptable. Only two seating positions have full lower anchors, and the rear center has a tether only. Wide-opening rear doors and a sliding, reclining second row help when fitting seats.

The two-row T32 Rogue seats five on every 2020 trim.

Generous front headroom for a compact SUV.

Class-typical front legroom.

Good rear headroom for the class.

Roomy second row for a compact crossover, close to the CR-V/RAV4.

The 2020 Rogue has no third row; the optional 5+2 layout was dropped after MY2016.

Among the largest cargo holds in the compact class before the 2021 redesign.

Competitive maximum cargo space for a compact SUV.

The Divide-N-Hide adjustable cargo floor and shelving system, the 60/40 fold-flat rear seat and decent console/door bins are above the class norm.

Nissan's Zero Gravity front seats are widely praised for long-trip comfort, and the rear bench is supportive; the base S makes do with manual seat adjustment.

The suspension is tuned for comfort and absorbs bumps well, with some body lean.

Wind and road noise are reasonably controlled, but the 2.5L/CVT drones loudly under hard acceleration.

The SV volume trim brings heated front seats and dual-zone auto climate; the heated steering wheel is SL-only; no ventilated or heated rear seats, rear vents are limited.

The 2020 Rogue S FWD started at $25,200 before destination, which undercut a base CR-V and RAV4. The 2020 model was the final year of the second generation and was sold gas-only, since the Rogue Hybrid was dropped after 2019.

The SV was the Rogue's volume trim and most buyers chose AWD. At about $29,000 delivered, it cost a couple of thousand dollars less than comparably equipped CR-V EX and RAV4 XLE AWD models.

Routine service on the port-injected 2.5L QR25DE is inexpensive. However, the second-generation Rogue's Jatco CVT has a documented history of out-of-warranty failures, which pushes the projected repair cost to the middle of the class or a little worse.

Heavy fleet volume and deep incentives during the model's closeout year held down the Rogue's residuals. It retains well below the CR-V and RAV4, which hold closer to 60%.

Nissan's basic coverage is the industry-baseline 3 years / 36,000 miles, matching Honda and Toyota and falling short of Hyundai and Kia's 5 years / 60,000 miles.

Nissan's 5-year / 60,000-mile powertrain coverage sits at the bottom of the band, which is a real exposure given this generation's CVT reputation.

The Rogue came with no complimentary scheduled maintenance, which put it behind ToyotaCare's 2 years / 25,000 miles. Buyers received roadside assistance for the basic-warranty term, plus NissanConnect and SiriusXM trial periods on equipped trims.

$29,015 volume-trim price minus its estimated resale value after 5 years (50% retained, or about $14,508) leaves about $14,508 in depreciation. Add the projected $5,600 in 5-year maintenance and repairs, and owning this vehicle for 5 years costs about $20,108 in total.

The 2020 Rogue is the last year of the second generation (T32), and model-specific reliability ratings are average to good: J.D. Power rates it 'Great', and Consumer Reports shows no standout trouble spots. The Jatco CVT and the AEB false-activation complaints keep it out of the top tier.

Nissan sits in the middle of the pack in dependability studies. It improves in some years but has never been a top-5 brand, and its CVT reputation weighs on its standing.

The 2020 model year has only one NHTSA recall, and it is a key/ignition defect rather than a powertrain or fire campaign. The T32 generation does carry the well-publicised phantom-AEB complaint pattern, which Nissan handled with a software update rather than a recall.

The naturally aspirated 2.5L QR25DE has a long, proven high-mileage record, and 2020 predates the VC-Turbo engine and its bearing recalls. The Jatco Xtronic CVT paired with it has a mixed durability reputation (judder, early failures), which keeps the score in the middle band.

The cabin is competitive for the class: soft-touch surfaces on the upper dash and doors, but plenty of hard plastic lower down, and an ageing design by 2020. It is a step below the redesigned 2021 Rogue and the CR-V/Mazda CX-5 benchmarks.

This is a mature, seventh-year design built at Smyrna and Kyushu. Assembly is generally solid, the model year has no assembly-escape recalls, and complaints are scattered.

The network is dense nationwide, but Nissan's service satisfaction runs around or below the mass-market average.

The Rogue was one of America's best-selling SUVs and has an old, widely shared powertrain, so parts are abundant and cheap with broad aftermarket support. An out-of-warranty CVT replacement is the one expensive risk.

A small screen by today's standards; every trim shares the 7-in unit.

NissanConnect is simple, with physical knobs, but has dated graphics, a small screen and slow responses.

Wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every trim; wireless is not offered (it arrived with the 2021 T33).

Native navigation is SL-only and basic; voice recognition is limited, so most owners use phone projection.

The volume SV has an unremarkable 6-speaker system; a 9-speaker Bose system is limited to the SL.

Analog gauges with a 5-in color Advanced Drive-Assist display between them; no full-digital cluster.

No over-the-air vehicle software updates; map updates require dealer/USB.

The NissanConnect Services app (remote start, lock, locate) is subscription-based and tied to the SL/Premium-equipped cars; no digital key.

Two front USB ports with more on higher trims, a 12V outlet; no wireless charging and no AC outlet.

The SV volume trim gets Intelligent Key push-button start, remote start and a hands-free motion-activated liftgate; the base S uses a traditional key.

Rear camera standard, rear sonar on the SV, Intelligent Around View Monitor on the SL/SV Premium; no automated parking.

No head-up display is offered on any 2020 Rogue trim.

Wide rear doors, a roomy rear seat and a large cargo hold make it an easy family SUV; LATCH is only rated Acceptable and Rear Door Alert is standard.

Safety Shield 360 (AEB with pedestrian detection, BSW, RCTA, LDW) is standard, but the car has 4-star NCAP overall, a Poor rating for its halogen headlights, and no TSP award.

The comfortable seats, spacious rear and big cargo hold suit trips, but rear amenities (vents, USB) are thin and the CVT drones on grades.

It is smooth and easy in traffic with light controls and good visibility, though acceleration is sluggish when merging.

27–29 MPG combined on regular fuel is about average for a gas compact SUV; no hybrid was offered in 2020.

It has a manageable 184.5-in footprint but a relatively wide 37.6-ft turning circle; Around View Monitor is limited to upper trims.

A 1,102-lb tow rating and a modest engine make it unfit for real work beyond light hauling in the cargo bay.

The QR25DE is a proven engine, but the CVT has a mixed long-term record and the interior is consumer-grade.

Cargo tie-downs and the Divide-N-Hide floor are handy, but there is no onboard AC power and little upfit ecosystem.

The comfortable seats and ride, ~390-mi range and ProPILOT Assist on SV Premium/SL help, but the CVT is noisy under load.

It has available Intelligent AWD with a lock mode and ~8.4 in of clearance for gravel roads, but a weak 1,102-lb tow rating.

A large 39.3/70 cu ft hold, a fold-flat 60/40 rear seat, the Divide-N-Hide floor and available roof rails.

Secure and predictable but softly tuned, with body lean; unremarkable next to the CR-V or Mazda CX-5.

Light and accurate enough, but numb.

Adequate stopping power with a somewhat soft pedal; no standout instrumented results.

The CVT is smooth at low speed, but acceleration is sluggish with a rubber-band response under load.

The 2.5L four drones loudly under hard throttle through the CVT.

A middling turning circle for a compact SUV.

It has a commanding seat, simple physical controls and good forward visibility; the power driver seat is SV-and-up, and thick rear pillars limit the over-shoulder view.

An appliance: comfortable but slow and uninvolving.

Every 2020 Rogue has a 7-inch NissanConnect touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto plus automatic emergency braking. The full Safety Shield 360 suite (blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, high-beam assist) is standard on the volume SV, which is competitive with the RAV4 and CR-V for a lower price. Interior materials and the small screen trail newer rivals.

A low sticker price and deep transaction discounts give fair content per dollar. That is offset by a slow 170-hp CVT powertrain, weak resale and a short warranty, so the Rogue is fair value rather than a bargain.

There are three trims (S/SV/SL), each with FWD or AWD, plus an SV Premium package and ProPILOT Assist availability. It is a reasonable spread, but there is one engine and no hybrid for 2020 after the Rogue Hybrid was dropped.

The Rogue was one of the three best-selling compact SUVs in America throughout this generation and was Nissan's top seller. However, calendar-2020 volume fell sharply from the ~350k peak of 2019 as fleet sales were cut and the model changed over to the third generation.

By 2020, Nissan's brand image was dragged down by its reputation for fleet dumping and high incentives, lingering CVT reliability concerns and the Ghosn-era turmoil. It lacked the loyalty halo of Toyota, Honda and Mazda.

The 2020 Rogue was a closeout model for a generation being replaced mid-year, and it was sold during 2020's pandemic incentive push. Large cash-back offers and 0% financing were widely available, a clear buyer benefit.

The 2020 model was the seventh and final model year of a generation that launched for 2014 and was refreshed for 2017. The all-new third-generation Rogue was revealed in June 2020 and reached dealers in October 2020, so buyers faced imminent replacement.

Reviewers praised its cargo flexibility, comfort and ProPILOT Assist but consistently ranked it behind the CR-V, RAV4, CX-5 and new Escape in comparisons because of weak acceleration and CVT drone. It won no major awards.