2020 Subaru Forester vs 2020 Nissan Rogue

Safety

Safety has come a long way from the times before the advanced safety features we have today. Safety ratings take a lot more into account than they ever did before. Safety features also now depend on trim, an important factor to keep in mind when buying. A five-star safety rating may not apply to all trim models since one may have advanced safety features that a lesser trim may not. 

The 2020 Subaru Forester has the highest rating available from both the IIHS and NHTSA. The Subaru Forester receives a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, impressively across all trims. NHTSA grants the Subaru Forester an overall 5-star crash test rating. The only section the Forester receives anything less than 5 stars for is rollover rating, where it still receives a strong 4-star rating. 

The 2020 Nissan Rogue is equally impressive in safety, falling only slightly short of the Subaru Forester. The IIHS grants the Nissan Rogue a Top Safety Pick (missing the plus(+) that the Forster receives). Unfortunately, this award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights. The NHTSA gives the Nissan Rogue an overall 4-star crash test rating, falling short in both front driver and passenger side protection and rollover rating. 

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Interior

Both the Subaru Forester and the Nissan Rogue have inoffensive, fairly standard interiors. While neither are specifically unique, they both make great use of space while remaining comfortable and attractive. 

The Subaru Forester's most prominent interior feature is the open-air design. The low beltline leads to massive side windows, and when combined with the lowset dash, large windshield, and optional panoramic sunroof, create an airy cabin that reminds us of early 90's cars. The visibility is outstanding, the cabin feels massive because of it, and riding in the Forester feels more open and spacious than most of its competitors. 

Features wise, however, the Forester is average at best. The infotainment system is somewhat slow to operate but works well. The climate controls, like the rest of the vehicle's buttons and knobs, are easy to operate and understand. The cabin is straight forward and smartly laid out. "Utilitarian" would be an accurate descriptor of the Forester interior. ove all, however,  the cabin is comfortable and practical, however. The 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and up to 76.1 cubic feet with them folded is an adequate amount of space for all cargo and passengers. 

The Nissan Rogue takes a different approach to the interior. The general theme here is comfort rather than practicality. The seats are some of the softest yet supportive in the class. The cabin's design is soft and forward, both easy to understand and pleasing to the eye. 

Space is excellent as well. The 2020 Rogue has 39.3 cubic feet of trunk space and 70 cubic feet with the second row folded flat. 

The Rogue's interior is not as airy as the Subaru's, no SUV in the class is, but the overall feel is far more comfortable, inviting, and more conducive to extended road trips. 

Faced with the choice for a road trip, the Nissan Rogue would be where I'd place my buttocks. 

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Price

While pricing can be a headache when actually buying a car, when comparing vehicles it's as straightforward as it gets. 

^{Pro Tip: Pricing doesn't have to an area of contention! Read our Car Buyers Guide to Invoice Pricing and More for everything you need to know about car pricing!}

Overall, these two SUVs are very competitively priced and fall dead center in the pricing matrix for the class. When compared to each other, they fall within a slim margin of each other.