2020 Ford Explorer vs 2021 Nissan Rogue

The 2020 Ford Explorer was a striking vehicle, boasting a design that was more refined and athletic compared to its predecessors. Its widened headlights, large grille, and distinctive "Explorer" lettering on the hood gave it a recognizable and bold presence. The ST version, with its black 21-inch rims and quad exhaust pipes, was particularly eye-catching. However, the interior did not match the exterior's appeal. Despite the high price tag, the materials used inside felt subpar, with low-grade vinyl and hard plastics dominating the cabin. The Explorer's interior lacked the luxury feel expected at its price point, especially when compared to competitors like the Kia Telluride and Toyota Highlander.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, resulting in a more muscular and imposing exterior. The squared-off nose and V-Motion grille, along with standard LED headlamps, contributed to its modern look. The Rogue's interior was also significantly improved, offering a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system that added practical storage space. The second-row doors opened wider, enhancing accessibility, and the interior featured a range of standard and optional features that elevated its appeal. The Platinum grade offered semi-aniline quilted Nappa leather, adding a touch of luxury that could sway even the most skeptical of Nissan's critics.

The 2020 Ford Explorer offered a range of powerful engine options, with the ST trim featuring a 3.0-litre EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, delivered smooth and addictive power. The Explorer's rear-wheel-drive chassis provided excellent weight distribution, enhancing its handling and cornering capabilities. The Explorer also offered a 2.3-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine with 300 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, as well as a gas-electric hybrid option. However, the hybrid's fuel efficiency did not justify its higher price. The Explorer's towing capacity varied depending on the engine, with the V6 capable of towing up to 2,540 kilograms.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, offering improved performance and fuel efficiency over its predecessor. The Rogue's curb weight ranged from 1,536 to 1,653 kilograms, and its continuously variable transmission (CVT) was less droning than expected. While the Rogue did not offer alternative powertrains or a hybrid option, its fuel efficiency was respectable, with the AWD model consuming 9.2 L/100 km in the city and 7.2 on the highway. The Rogue's handling was significantly improved, with better torsional rigidity and a revamped suspension system, resulting in a stable and planted road feel.

The 2020 Ford Explorer provided ample interior space, with generous headroom and legroom for passengers. The second row featured air vents, USB ports, and a panoramic moonroof, creating a first-class experience. The third row was more spacious than previous models, accommodating six-foot-tall adults for short trips. However, the cargo space behind the third row was reduced to 509 litres, though it expanded to 1,359 litres with the second row folded and 2,491 litres with all seats down. The Explorer's controls were intuitive, with physical knobs and switches, but the thick D-pillars and fuzzy 360-degree cameras created blind spots.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue offered functional updates across all trims, including a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system that added storage space. The second-row doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access, and headroom was increased. Standard features included heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The SV trim added a 360-degree Around View Monitor and a panoramic sunroof, while the Platinum grade featured a redesigned cargo system with 1,028 litres of space behind the second row and 2,064 litres with seats folded. The cargo system allowed for a 5 cm floor height adjustment and included a panel for separating cargo.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen featuring Sync 3 infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot. The Premium Technology Package, available on ST and Platinum models, included a 10-inch vertical touchscreen and a 12-inch digital instrument cluster. While the interface was high-resolution and well-organized, it lacked innovation, and system updates required an external Wi-Fi connection. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ system offered semi-automated driving features but was not as refined as competitors' systems.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The SV grade added an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and additional USB ports. The Platinum grade upgraded to a 9-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and a wireless charging pad. It also included a 10.8-inch head-up display and a Bose 10-speaker audio system. However, the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster had readability issues due to low contrast graphics.

The 2020 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford Co-Pilot 360, which included forward automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high beams, and lane-keep assist. Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and reverse braking were also standard. The Explorer received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA and was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured Nissan's Safety Shield 360 suite, which included forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and high beam assist. The SV model introduced ProPILOT Assist, a hands-on highway driving assist feature. The Rogue received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a four-star safety rating from the NHTSA, with improvements made to later models.