IT’S A BEST BUY BECAUSE:
The Rogue offers respectable fuel economy, refined interior materials, and passenger and cargo versatility that few compact SUVs can match.
BUT…
Passing power is only so-so, and engine is a bit noisy during acceleration.
WORTH NOTING:
The Rogue is one of only two vehicles in our compact-SUV category to offer a 3rd-row seat—the other is the Mitsubishi Outlander.
WHAT IS IT?
The Rogue is Nissan’s compact SUV. It comes in base S, mid-line SV, and top-line SL trim levels, each with a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine mated with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Rogue was redesigned for 2014, gaining a 3rd-row seat, a much-improved interior, lots of new technology features, and outstanding cargo-carrying capability for the class. Standard or available equipment on SV and SL models include leather upholstery, heated front seats, sunroof, power liftgate, satellite radio, navigation system with voice recognition, NavTraffic and NavWeather, Around-View Monitor (360-degree camera), and NissanConnect Apps including Facebook, iHeartRadio, and Pandora. Also available are advanced safety features, including blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, forward-collision warning, and Nissan’s Moving Object Detection.
WHAT’S NEW?
After its 2014 redesign, Rogue sees a couple minor updates for 2015: The transmission gains an efficiency-aiding Eco mode, and heated cloth seats are added to the SV Premium Package.
FUEL ECONOMY
The EPA rates the Rogue at 26 mpg city/33 mpg highway with front-wheel drive and 25/32 with all-wheel drive. In Consumer Guide® testing, an all-wheel drive Rogue SL averaged 21.6 mpg in mostly city driving.
VALUE IN CLASS
When the Nissan Rogue was redesigned last year, it moved from a compact SUV “also consider” to a “must see.” The new-generation model brought with it a host of desirable new features and better refinement all around, all at very competitive prices. The 3rd-row seat is too small for most adults to sit in comfortably, but it nevertheless offers passenger versatility that most other compact SUVs don’t match. Likewise, Rogue’s ingeniously configured rear cargo area is a study in versatility and functional design. Other compact SUVs are better at the “sport,” but Rogue is one of the best around when it comes to utility.
| BASE PRICE RANGE | $21,395 – $29,070 |
| BODY STYLES | 4-door wagon |
| AVAILABLE ENGINES | 170-hp, 2.5-liter 4-cyl. |
| DRIVE WHEELS | Front or All-Wheel Drive |
| BUILT IN | USA and South Korea |
| EPA FUEL-ECONOMY RANGE | 25-33 MPG |
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