2019 Acura RDX vs 2020 Nissan Rogue

The 2019 Acura RDX showcased a bold new exterior design, drawing inspiration from its larger sibling, the Acura MDX. The front end featured angular headlights flanking a broad, assertive grille, a significant improvement from the previous "shield" grille. The RDX's more upright layout and rear end design aimed to increase cabin space, presenting a modern and sharp aesthetic. The A-Spec trim added dark accents, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the RDX boasted soft-touch surfaces, unique stitching, and brushed aluminum brightwork, although the latter could be blinding in direct sunlight. The redesigned center console featured Acura’s unique shifter design and the new True Touchpad infotainment system.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL trims, maintained an attractive appearance despite its age. The bold V-Motion grille and exaggerated fender swells were complemented by the SL trim’s 19-inch aluminum wheels. However, the interior revealed its age with older styling themes and unimpressive plastic surfaces. The center console sides were padded for driver comfort, a thoughtful touch. The Rogue's interior space was more accommodating for rear passengers, offering a high seat cushion, excellent thigh support, and a panoramic glass sunroof. The cargo area provided 39 cubic feet of space, significantly more than some competitors, and included underfloor storage compartments and a Divide-n-Hide cargo management system.

The 2019 Acura RDX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The RDX offered front-wheel drive or Acura's Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD), a torque-vectoring system capable of diverting power to individual rear wheels. The Integrated Dynamics System (IDS) allowed drivers to switch between Comfort, Snow, Sport, and Sport+ modes, adjusting throttle response, shift mapping, and steering feel. The RDX delivered a sporty ride with agile cornering and a respectable exhaust note. Fuel economy for the front-wheel drive model was 22 mpg city, 28 highway, and 24 combined, while the AWD version returned 21/27/23 mpg.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue featured a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Despite a Sport driving mode, the Rogue's performance was underwhelming, especially during acceleration and passing maneuvers. The CVT managed the power well, but the Rogue struggled on freeway on-ramps and mountain grades. Fuel economy was disappointing, with the Rogue achieving only 24.9 mpg in combined driving, despite an EPA rating of 29 mpg. The Rogue's ride and handling were improved by Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, but the overall driving experience was lackluster, with lifeless steering and occasional CVT drone.

The 2019 Acura RDX offered 29.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, increasing by 3 cubic feet from the previous model. With the 60/40 split-fold rear seats down, cargo capacity was 58.9 cubic feet. The interior was spacious, with ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The floating center stack design provided additional storage space, and the center console featured a cupholder tray with a brushed metal cover. All four doors had room for multiple water bottles, and the rear seat included a center armrest with cupholders.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's interior space was less accommodating for taller drivers, with limited seat height adjustment and legroom. However, rear passengers enjoyed a high seat cushion, excellent thigh support, and a panoramic glass sunroof. The Rogue's cargo area offered 39 cubic feet of space, significantly more than some competitors, and included underfloor storage compartments and a Divide-n-Hide cargo management system. In-cabin storage was limited, with only the glove compartment providing a healthy amount of space.

The 2019 Acura RDX came standard with the True Touchpad infotainment system, replacing the previous two-screen setup. The high-definition screen was sharp and easy to read, but the touchpad system had a steep learning curve. Simple tasks like changing the radio station required multiple steps, and saving presets was cumbersome. Apple CarPlay integration was seamless, but navigating within CarPlay was more challenging. The system lacked the intuitive functionality of competitors like BMW's iDrive, which had continuously improved over the years.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system included Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Upgrades included SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, a Bose premium sound system, and NissanConnect Services. However, the 7-inch touchscreen was outdated, with slow response times and subpar voice-recognition technology. The NissanConnect interface left much to be desired, making the Rogue's tech features less user-friendly.

The 2019 Acura RDX came standard with a reversing camera, tire pressure monitoring system, traction control, and a full array of front and side impact airbags. The AcuraWatch suite included forward-collision warning, forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, road-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Technology Package added front and rear parking sensors and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Advance trim included a head-up warning system.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue featured the Safety Shield 360 collection, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features included a Rear Door Alert and a Tire Fill Alert system. Optional safety features included a surround-view camera and ProPilot Assist adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability. However, the Rogue's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA and lower ratings from the IIHS.