Nissan Rogue 360 review
The Nissan Rogue is available in three trim levels: S, S Krom Edition and SV. Standard equipment across these trims is largely identical, including full power accessories, side curtain airbags, antilock brakes and stability control. All models are offered in front-wheel- or all-wheel-drive configurations. The S Krom adds larger wheels and cosmetic enhancements, while the SV offers better upholstery, Bluetooth and a rearview monitor. But what really differentiates the SV from the S is its expandability: Most options, from the Rogue's impressive Bose stereo system to the leather seats and moonroof, are only available on the SV model.
The Nissan Rogue is based on the same platform as the Sentra. This benefits ride quality, as the vehicle's long-travel suspension soaks up bumps and road imperfections easily. The Rogue is also stable and quiet at speed, though ultimate cornering limits are predictably modest. The electric power-assisted steering rack is commendably responsive, though like most electric setups, it's a bit numb. Nevertheless, the Nissan's contoured, small-diameter steering wheel and full center console with integrated shifter beget a sporty, cockpit-like feel. Wheel-mounted manual shift paddles on certain Rogue models reinforce this theme.
All Nissan Rogues are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is also standard. The resulting 8.6-second gallop from zero to 60 mph is on par with the four-cylinder competition, but we question Nissan's decision to use a CVT here. Although the Rogue feels fine cruising in city traffic thanks to the 2.5-liter's generous torque band, when you put your foot down for more, the CVT has to do a lot of ratio swapping to get the power you require. The result is sluggish throttle response followed by lots of engine noise. This is particularly evident at highway speeds, where any meaningful prodding at the Rogue's accelerator elicits a cacophonous roar as the CVT zings the engine to redline.
On the flip side, the efficiency-minded CVT helps the Rogue return some of the better fuel-efficiency numbers in this segment. Additionally, our consumer reviews indicate that some owners are quite enamored of the Rogue's unconventional powertrain. Our advice is this: Just make sure that you're enamored of it, too, before signing on the dotted line.
Good looks never hurt, and we think this Rogue has them in spades. Styling is a subjective matter, of course, but to our eyes, the Rogue cuts an extraordinarily dashing profile compared to its compact crossover brethren. Rear visibility consequently suffers, as do cargo capacity and backseat accommodations, which lag behind much of the competition. Maximum cargo capacity is 58 cubic feet; most top models in this segment offer about 70. But these are trade-offs that style-conscious (read: many) consumers will likely be willing to accept.
Is the Nissan Rogue going to seize the compact-crossover crown? Probably not. But the Rogue's rare combination of high style and carlike performance does endow it with a decidedly un-roguish mainstream appeal.