In a class full of sporty options, the 2020 Nissan Rogue stands out for its simplicity. The Rogue is among the best 2020 compact SUVs because of its affordability and dependability. Furthermore, the Rogue’s easy-to-drive nature makes it ideal for the whole family, and especially for teen drivers.

The Nissan Rogue impresses when it comes to safety

Safety is of the utmost importance for any vehicle, but Nissan’s Rogue really impresses in this category. This SUV comes with a suite of active safety features that will help prevent your teen from getting into accidents altogether. Standard features include blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist. The IIHS named the 2020 Rogue as a Top Safety Pick, and the NHTSA gave the SUV a four-star crash-test safety rating. 

U.S. News also recommends the Rogue as one of the best new 2020 cars for teen drivers. The organization especially likes the Rogue’s reverse automatic emergency braking system, which will help your teen as they back up the vehicle. The top-level SL trim is an excellent choice if you want additional safety features, such as a surround-view camera. And for more oversight as your teen hits the road, you’ll want to opt for NissanConnect alerts, which allows parents to monitor vehicle speeds. 

What it’s like to drive the Rogue 

The Rogue is best described as a gentle ride that provides smooth handling. It’s not particularly sporty or thrilling, but that also makes it a relatively safer choice for teen drivers. The Rogue gets its power from a 170-horsepower four-cylinder engine linked to a continuously variable automatic transmission. 

Experts at Consumer Reports recognize that the Rogue has shown significant improvements from the 2019 model year. Its handling is more responsive, and its fuel economy has improved too. This Nissan gets an overall 24 mpg.

Other shiny features

For the most part, the Rogue feels upscale on the inside. This compact SUV can comfortably seat five people, and its seats are notably supportive. Plus, the Rogue offers many convenient storage spaces, which makes it more family-friendly. Critics also appreciate the Rogue’s quiet cabin, so excess noise isn’t a problem at all in this SUV. 

Regarding infotainment, some might think that the Rogue’s display is a little dated. However, the Rogue comes with many desirable features in this department. A 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay all come standard. The Rogue’s infotainment system is also user-friendly, so it shouldn’t distract your teen from paying attention to the road. 

Reliability ratings and pricing 

The Rogue earned above-average reliability ratings from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power. Rogue owners are most satisfied with the value their vehicle provides. The 2020 Rogue starts at $25,300, which is a pretty good deal considering its long list of standard tech features. Even though it’s not the most potent performer, the Rogue’s high safety and dependability ratings make it a worthy choice.