2021 Nissan Rogue vs 2020 Ford Expedition

The 2020 Ford Expedition, last redesigned in 2018, presented a clean and somewhat understated style for a full-size SUV. While some might have found its design to be on the boring side, this simplicity often allowed it to age gracefully, making it a reliable choice for long-term ownership. The King Ranch edition, named after the largest ranch in the U.S., featured distinctive 22-inch aluminum wheels, a mesh grille insert, LED headlights, and unique grey-painted lower exterior trim. The Star White metallic paint added a touch of elegance, although the taillight shape and the body-coloured roof C-pillar were points of contention for some. Inside, the King Ranch boasted Del Rio leather in Mesa over Ebony, adorned with King Ranch cattle-brand logos, which sparked mixed reactions from passengers. Despite the luxurious touches, the presence of hard plastic, especially in lower trims, was a drawback, particularly given the SUV's high price point.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Rogue underwent a complete redesign, giving it a more muscular and imposing presence. The updated front end featured a squared-off nose with a deeper V-Motion grille, flanked by narrow LED headlamps and functional air vents. These elements contributed to a lower coefficient of drag, despite the Rogue's boxier proportions. The exterior colour options were streamlined, with a few two-tone configurations available on the Platinum grade. Inside, the Rogue offered cloth seating in most trims, with leatherette and semi-aniline quilted Nappa leather available in higher trims. The interior updates, including a quieter cabin and improved second-row access, enhanced the overall appeal of the Rogue, making it a strong contender in the compact SUV segment.

The 2020 Ford Expedition was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine, delivering an impressive 375 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 470 pound-feet of torque at 2,250 rpm. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, provided robust performance, allowing the 2,551-kilogram SUV to accelerate with enthusiasm. The Expedition's 4WD system was standard in Canada, offering a ground clearance of 24.9 centimetres, except for the MAX version, which had 24.6 centimetres. Towing capacities were substantial, with the standard model capable of towing 4,173 kilograms and the MAX version 4,082 kilograms. The adaptive damping suspension on the King Ranch trim improved ride quality, although the large 22-inch wheels sometimes resulted in a busy ride on imperfect roads. Fuel consumption was rated at 14.1 L/100 km in the city, 10.6 on the highway, and 12.5 combined, with slightly higher figures for the MAX version.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured a new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. This engine, combined with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), offered a balanced performance for the Rogue's weight, which ranged from 1,536 kilograms for the FWD S grade to 1,653 kilograms for the AWD Platinum model. While there were no alternative powertrains, the Rogue's fuel efficiency was commendable, with ratings of 8.9 L/100 km in the city, 7.0 on the highway, and 8.1 combined for FWD models, and slightly higher for AWD versions. The Rogue's handling was significantly improved, thanks to a 27% increase in torsional rigidity, a 40-kilogram weight reduction, and an updated suspension system, resulting in a stable and planted road feel.

The 2020 Ford Expedition excelled in towing, cargo capacity, and passenger comfort. The King Ranch's power running boards facilitated easy entry, and the heated and ventilated front seats, along with a heated steering wheel, provided a luxurious experience. The second-row captain's chairs offered first-class accommodations, with easy access to the third-row bench, which was genuinely comfortable for adults. The Expedition's independent rear suspension contributed to impressive legroom and support. Cargo space was generous, with 546 litres behind the third row in the standard model and 971 litres in the MAX version. Folding the third row expanded the space to 1,672 litres (2,075 with the MAX), and folding the second row provided up to 2,962 litres (3,440 with the MAX).

The 2021 Nissan Rogue's interior updates were applied across all trims, with a quieter cabin and a new shift-by-wire system creating additional storage space. The rear doors opened to 85 degrees, improving access, and the second-row headroom was enhanced. Standard features included heated front seats, a steering wheel, and exterior mirrors, with upgrades available in higher trims. The Platinum grade offered a redesigned Divide and Hide cargo system, providing 1,028 litres of cargo space with the second row upright and 2,064 litres with them folded. The system's changes included a 5 cm cargo floor height adjustment and a rail system for separating cargo, although the rear seat now split 60/40 instead of 40/20/40.

The 2020 Ford Expedition featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Sync 3, which, while functional, was not as advanced as the 12-inch Sync 4 system available in newer models. Sync 3 included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with FordPass Connect, a navigation system, and an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system. The rear-seat entertainment system and Pro Trailer Backup Assist were notable features, with the latter providing a knob for easy trailer maneuvering.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The SV grade added an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot, additional USB ports, and access to NissanConnect services. The Platinum grade upgraded the screen to 9 inches, introduced wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay, and featured 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.

The 2020 Ford Expedition's size contributed to its crash safety, with Ford Co-Pilot360 providing a suite of safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Adaptive cruise control was optional. The Expedition received 5-star ratings in NHTSA crash tests, with a 4-star rollover resistance rating, although the IIHS had not tested it.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue featured Nissan's Safety Shield 360 suite as standard, including forward emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane departure warning. The SV model introduced ProPILOT Assist, enhancing highway driving assistance. The Rogue earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with improvements in frontal crash testing for later models.