2020 Nissan Rogue vs 2021 Volvo XC60

The 2020 Nissan Rogue, available in S, SV, and SL Platinum trims, offered a straightforward design with a single engine and transmission combination, and a choice between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. The SL Platinum trim, priced at an estimated $37,998 CAD, featured a bold V-Motion grille and 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, giving it an appealing look despite its age. However, the interior design showed its age with older styling themes and unimpressive plastic surfaces. The padded centre console sides were a thoughtful touch for driver comfort.

In contrast, the 2021 Volvo XC60, part of Volvo's near-luxury lineup, was built on the SPA platform, shared with other 60-series and 90-series vehicles. The XC60 featured an elegant, tailored design with short overhangs and crisp details, emphasizing agility. The upright grille with Volvo's iron mark logo and Thor's hammer-shaped LED daytime running lights added a distinct Swedish touch. Inside, the XC60 boasted a Scandinavian-inspired cabin with clean lines, authentic materials, and a serene atmosphere, highlighted by a 9-inch portrait-oriented infotainment touchscreen.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Weighing 1,664 kilograms, the Rogue's powertrain was adequate but lacked excitement, especially during highway acceleration or passing. The CVT managed power well, but the Rogue's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, achieving 9.4 L/100 km in testing. Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control improved ride and handling, but the Rogue's steering and suspension left much to be desired.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 offered a range of powertrains, including the T5 with 250 horsepower, the T6 with 316 horsepower, and the T8 plug-in hybrid with up to 415 horsepower. The T8 Polestar Engineered model, our test vehicle, combined a 2.0-litre engine with an electric motor for a total of 415 horsepower and 472 lb-ft of torque. The XC60's AWD system and torque vectoring provided confident handling, while the cabin remained quiet and comfortable. Fuel consumption for the T8 PHEV was rated at 9.3 L/100 km combined, with an electric-only mode achieving 4.0 Le/100 km.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's interior struggled to accommodate taller drivers, with limited seat adjustability. The rear seats, however, offered excellent thigh support, legroom, and visibility, enhanced by a panoramic moonroof. In-cabin storage was limited, but the cargo area provided 1,112 litres of space, with underfloor compartments and a Divide-n-Hide system for added utility.

The 2021 Volvo XC60 excelled in comfort and functionality, with highly adjustable front seats and effective heating systems for winter conditions. The cabin featured smart storage solutions and intuitive controls, while the rear seats offered secure storage and passenger-friendly features. The XC60 provided 613 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 1,410 litres with the rear seats folded, along with a towing capacity of 1,587 kilograms.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue's infotainment system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM, with optional navigation and a Bose audio system. However, the 7-inch touchscreen interface was outdated, with slow response times and subpar voice recognition, detracting from the overall tech experience.

Volvo's Sensus infotainment system in the 2021 XC60 featured a tablet-style touchpad with familiar swipe and pinch gestures. The system's quadrant-based interface allowed easy access to functions, though it required a learning curve. Smartphone integration was seamless, and the Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system delivered exceptional audio quality.

The 2020 Nissan Rogue came with standard Safety Shield 360, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Optional features included ProPilot Assist and a surround-view camera. However, the Rogue's safety ratings were less impressive, with a 4-star overall rating from NHTSA and no Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS.

The 2021 Volvo XC60, benefiting from Volvo's safety heritage, received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA. Standard safety features included blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance, and lane-keeping aid. Volvo's Pilot Assist system offered semi-autonomous driving capabilities, and the XC60's top speed was limited to 180 km/h for safety.