Overview & Reviews

Like many of the two dozen or so compact crossovers on the market today, the Nissan Rogue seeks to provide the all-weather capability and commanding driving position of an SUV, along with the maneuverability and fuel efficiency of a typical car. It does this quite well, and it also adds bold, son-of-Murano styling to make it desirable for its form as well as its function.

Although the Nissan Rogue has never delivered an especially inspiring engine and transmission combination, performance has always been passable, and the current generation is notable for its stellar fuel economy. The second-generation Rogue also has a spacious interior with a large cargo hold and, rare for this class, an available third row of seating. Earlier Nissan Rogues weren't as roomy, but they were more nimble to drive through turns. Overall, we think a new or used Rogue presents a compelling overall package that merits consideration alongside traditional segment leaders.

Current Nissan Rogue
Completely redesigned for 2014, the current Nissan Rogue is a compact crossover SUV with seating for five or seven, depending on how it's equipped. Compared with the previous Rogue, it offers a much larger backseat, significantly more cargo capacity, higher fuel economy ratings and a longer list of safety features.

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 standard, and buyers have a choice between front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. With either drivetrain, fuel economy ratings are above average for this class.

The Rogue is available in three trim levels: S, SV and SL. Standard equipment on the base S includes 17-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, iPod/USB connectivity and a four-speaker sound system. The SV adds 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry and ignition, a power-adjustable driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, smartphone integration features and a six-speaker sound system. The SL comes with all that plus 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, heated mirrors, leather upholstery, heated front seats, voice controls, a 360-degree parking camera system, a navigation system (with a 7-inch touchscreen) and a nine-speaker sound system.

Key options include a two-passenger third-row seat (S and SV models only), a power liftgate and a panoramic sunroof. Optional safety equipment includes a blind-spot warning system, a lane-departure warning system, a forward collision warning system and "moving object detection" (which works in conjunction with the multi-view parking cameras).

One thing we always liked about the original Nissan Rogue that has carried over to the second generation is the smooth ride quality. Neither the steering nor the handling is particularly sporty, but most buyers will appreciate the Rogue's relaxed demeanor. In reviews, we've found the Nissan's 2.5-liter engine adequate to the task of commuting. During harder acceleration, there's a noticeable growl from the engine as the CVT maintains a constant high engine rpm to provide the motivation needed for passing and merging. This makes for a noisier cabin environment than in some competitors.

Otherwise, the Rogue's cabin is a pretty nice place to be. Materials quality is high, and everything is put together with care. Nissan's available infotainment interface is quite easy to use as well. Seat comfort is excellent in the first two rows, and thanks to 9 inches of fore/aft adjustment, the 40/20/40 second-row seat is adult-friendly. The available third-row bench is a kids-only proposition, but the fact that Nissan offers one at all gives the Rogue a leg up on its rivals from Ford, Honda and Toyota.

Used Nissan Rogue Models
The first-generation Rogue debuted for the 2008 model year and was produced through 2013. After 2013, this Rogue continued on as the Nissan Rogue Select (reviewed separately), which is identical save for its abbreviated options list.

The original Nissan Rogue used the same 170-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine as the current model. All versions were offered in both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive configurations, and a CVT was standard.

First-generation Nissan Rogues were available in two trim levels: S and SV (known as the SL from 2008-'10). You got the basics with the S, including keyless entry, air-conditioning and full power accessories, along with an iPod interface. However, things like privacy glass, a rearview camera, Bluetooth and satellite radio were available either within an option package or on the SV. Higher-end items like heated leather seats, a navigation system and a Bose sound system were available as options on the SV as well.

Like the current crossover, the first-generation Rogue offered a smooth, comfortable ride. Handling was actually a bit sportier than on the current version, while acceleration was fairly quick for a small four-cylinder crossover. However, engine noise was a persistent annoyance during passing maneuvers, as the CVT kept engine revs high to maximize the available power.

Styling is a subjective matter, of course, but to our eyes, the first-gen Rogue cut a rather dashing profile compared to its compact crossover brethren. Rear visibility consequently suffered, as did cargo capacity and rear-seat accommodations. Although this Rogue represents a good value as a used vehicle, shoppers needing room for child safety seats or a large dog will likely find it short on space.

Changes to the Nissan Rogue were minimal during this generation. It received minor styling updates for 2011, and trim levels and option packages were reshuffled over the years. For 2010-'11, the Rogue was offered in a Krom Edition model, which added larger wheels and cosmetic enhancements, including centrally located exhaust outlets.

User Reviews:

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  So far so good, but MPG is way off - 2014 Nissan Rogue
  By kelcon - December 18 - 1:12 pm

  We did countless hours of researching crossovers, compared all of the models and test drove a few. We fell in love with the Rogue after seeing the redesign and learning about all of the great standard safety features for such a reasonable price. We are going from a Prius to this, so the promised 29-33 MPG was a big selling point. Unfortunately... I have yet to get more than 25 MPG! (I bought the FWD version instead of the AWD to keep the MPG at the higher end... we are quite disappointed. We are hopeful that it will improve, but so far very disappointed.)

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  Good riding car - 2010 Nissan Rogue
  By nhfiddler - December 13 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car for the comfortable ride and awd as we live in NH. Gas mileage at hwy26 looked good also. So far on my daily commute at 45-50 mph it gets about 30 mph, at hwy speeds (65+) it does drop to 26. The ride is still very comfortable 4 months later. On our trip to DC this summer the 4 cyl engine has to work a bit to enter freeway traffic, but cruises well thereafter, an optional 6 cyl engine would be nice.

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  Rogue over CRV and RAV4 - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By Lynn C. - December 7 - 3:23 pm

  I reviewed the CRV, RAV4 and Rogue. I owned a Honda for 10 yrs, my husband likes Toyota.I talked to people with Nissans and got good feedback. I LOVE my Rogue! I get 24.6 mpg. I love the heated seats. It is easy to maneuver in parking spaces and has great pick up on the highway. I tend to drive fast (75-80) and it doesnt shake or hesitate at that speed, runs smooth and relatively quiet. The Bose sound system is awesome. The only negative I have about the Rogue is the rear visibility. Its hard to see when backing up. The slant on the rear window, plus its small size makes it hard to see behind you. Im getting used to using the side mirrors. I recommend the Rogue!

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  Great SUV - 2017 Nissan Rogue
  By William G - November 5 - 9:44 pm

  First off, the interior of the Rogue looks more like a luxury SUV than a moderately priced one. Nissan did an exceptional job here. The ride comfort is extraordinary and at highway speeds there is basically no wind noise. The only negatives for me - which are extremely minor - are: the switches to turn on the Sport and Eco modes, and the rest of these, are located in a place - lower left hand side of dashboard - which makes it difficult to see when driving. The only other thing is the map graphics for the nav system are a little dated. Other than that, I checked out a good number of SUVs in this general price segment (Honda, Toyota, Mazda and Subaru) and for y money, the Rogue blew the rest of them away. The adjustable configurations for the shelves in the hatchback area are excellent. Sometimes we carry things - like grocery bags - that are long and vertical and would have a difficult time staying vertical when driving. We just configure the back and put the shelves vertical into their holders and voila we have an area that will hold the bags tight and keep them up. We can also put the shelves horizontal and double the storage spaces back there. Fuel economy around time is not great - about 23 MPG - but highway in ECO mode we were getting 32-33 MPG easily. Since we bought the Rogue in Sept 2017 we see ALOT of them on the road, so if you dont like that then buy something else but seeing so many just confirmed for me that this is the best small SUV out there right now....

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  Rogue Review - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By ILRogue - November 2 - 3:36 pm

  So far, the Rogue ownership experience has been positive. Comfortable ride, ample space for 2 adults and 3 kids. Good room in the back. Nice features and price points, which allows you to select how high or low you want to go in the features vs. price debate. The i-AWD feature is great for wet pavement - one can only hope for the same in the snow. Reliability is yet to be determined (too new).

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  Fun Car - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By frank - October 27 - 11:03 am

  A little pricey I guess because its new but so fur it has been a great little fun car.

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  Love my Rogue - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By John - September 28 - 11:53 pm

  I traded in my ford escape for the Rogue. We just got back from a trip of 5000 miles from Az to Fla and back averaged 30.2 mpg, very comfortable to drive. Easy to get in and out. Controls handy, love the paddle shifters, Bose stereo is great! My wife loves the large glove compartment. Engine has plenty of power and the CVT works great.

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  2015 Rogue S - 2015 Nissan Rogue
  By Sam Celentino - September 27 - 8:51 pm

  Had the Rogue for a Month now, find it very comfortable on the highway. Quiet, good sound system. Very comfortable seats, no leather. Nice touches in design to not make you feel like your purchases a cheap version. (chrome door handles, halogen running lights, backup camera) We came from a Rav 4 and we thought the styling was better than the Toyota. CVT comes on real smooth, no jerky acceleration. So far we like it and it came with Sport and Eco tuning to the transmission. Overall a VERY COMFORTABLE ride. The Trunk organizaion is a nice feature also. Do not leave this vehicle out of your comparison shopping.

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  Rogue - better than the reviews - 2016 Nissan Rogue
  By RogueDriver - September 23 - 9:33 am

  I am a guys who reads all of the professional car/suv reviews, and my experience with my Rogue is much more positive than what the reviewers say about the vehicle. I am high 50s male with a bad back from an accident and went looking for a "right height" vehicle since I have trouble crouching down to get into many sedans or hopping up into most SUVs. After sitting in a significant number of vehicles I found the Rogue fit the bill perfectly. Height is just right for me to slide into, and the seats are extremely comfortable (I didnt believe the Nissan propaganda about zero gravity design seats until I sat in them). And in spite of the professional reviewers who say that the Rogue drives poorly, I love it. Recognize that I use my Rogue for what I think a typical driver would use it for. I drive a few miles each day back and forth to work, go around town on errands, and will hop onto the interstate occasionally to go visit someone. I am not looking for a street racing machine and I dont care if it doesnt corner at high g-rates. Just typical average everyday driving. And in this the Rogue does wonderfully. Plenty of pickup, and no - I dont get a horrendous "drone" from the engine/transmission since I am not trying to drag race down the street or into interstate on ramps. Accelerates just fine. Smooth and comfortable ride - maybe not to the standards of a 1980s Buick - but what SUV does? Much smoother and more comfortable than the BMW and Mercedes SUVs that my friends drive for name recognition. Lots of room inside. Carries plenty in rear. A/C works great which is key here in Florida. Handles my daily grind just fine. Are there things that I dont like - sure. Nissans bluetooth connectivity is somewhat behind others - my iphone connects perfectly to the other 3 cars in my family (Toyota, BMW and Hyundai) but even the dealer cant figure out why the Rogue wont pull in my full address book for all voice recognition calls. Gas mileage a bit lower than advertised. But bottom line is that the Rogue handles my daily driving needs admirably well - and at a great cost (dealer hugely discounted off list price). Highly recommend the vehicle for anyone looking for comfortable, normal transportation. I will continue to read the professional car reviews, but now I recognize that their specific vehicle criticisms may not apply to a typical driver like myself.

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  Rogue is Just a Name - 2008 Nissan Rogue
  By originalstarlite - September 23 - 3:16 am

  Having waited for this car since Jan., it would be easy to be disappointed. This vehicle is perfect for my wife and me: a comfortable people mover with bucket seats that have very good support, great road manners with AWD and Vehicle Dynamic Control working full time on every curve and turn, and just enough pep to do western PA hills, flexibility in hauling everything from 18 grocery bags to 12 boxes. Wash a car once and you learn a lot. Not only is the Venon (pearl) Red paint luxurious, but the application is perfect. This complements the fit of the doors that have rubber weather strips to seal out water and dirt protecting the rocker panels.