Nissan Goes Rogue

Sporty and stylish, the Rogue impresses, but it loses points for limitations like no third row and only one engine choice

by Thane Peterson

Editor's Rating:

The Good: Good looks, fuel economy, decent price

The Bad: Only one choice of engine, noisy on the highway, less cargo space than key rivals

The Bottom Line: Check it out before buying a Honda CR-V or a Toyota RAV4

Reader Reviews

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Up Front

If you had asked me a few months ago whether the U.S. market needed yet another compact SUV, my reply would have been a resounding "No way!" Lucky thing I'm not running Nissan (NSANY). Consumers snapped up 17,531 of its new Rogue compact SUVs in the first three months of this year, which is a lot considering the economy is tanking and gas prices are soaring.

What shoppers seem to like about the Rogue is its combination of sporty good looks, practicality, and low price. At 183 inches, the Rogue is about the same length as the top-selling Honda CR-V and Toyota (TM) RAV4. However, like the Honda (HMC), the Rogue only comes with two rows of seats, so it doesn't have the carpooling capability of the RAV4, which has an optional third row of seats. That makes the Rogue a good choice for young couples who are just starting a family, or older couples who only have light hauling and carpooling needs.

The Rogue comes with either all-wheel or front-wheel drive, but there's only one available engine: a 2.5-liter, 170-hp four-banger. The only choice of transmission is a continuously variable (CVT) automatic. The trade-off is that Nissan has packed its new baby SUV with convenience and safety features at a relatively low price. The basic Rogue S with front-wheel drive starts at just $19,995, rising to $22,735 for the fancier Rogue SL with all-wheel drive. On top of that, through the end of June, Nissan is offering a $500 cash rebate on the Rogue, which is unusual for a popular new model. (Some Detroit models carry even bigger discounts. More on that later.)

Another of the Rogue's strong points is it gets modestly better mileage than a comparable CR-V and RAV4, thanks to its slightly lower weight and the efficiency of its transmission (CVTs increase fuel efficiency by up to 10%). The Rogue is rated to get 22 mpg in the city and 27 on the highway with front-wheel drive, 21/26 with all-wheel drive. By comparison, an all-wheel-drive CR-V is rated at 20/26 and an all-wheel-drive RAV4 with a four-cylinder engine at 20/25. (In 286 miles of mainly highway driving in an AWD Rogue, I got 21.9 mpg.)

The Rogue S comes standard with a tilt steering wheel, cruise control, air conditioning, full power accessories, and a CD player. The only optional equipment are dealer-installed add-ons such as a body-colored rear spoiler ($330), floor and cargo mats ($180), and splash guards ($125).

The SL adds such standard gear as roof racks, tinted windows, a height-adjustable driver's seat, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The main option package available on the SL goes for $2,200 in the AWD version and $1,800 in the FWD version and includes a fancy seven-speaker Bose sound system, XM satellite radio, paddle shifters, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, xenon headlights, and numerous other convenience features. Leather upholstery costs an extra $1,800, a moonroof $800, and a towing package $450.

The '08 Rogue earned four- or five-star ratings in all crash test categories from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Front, side, and head-protecting side curtain airbags are standard, as are four-wheel antilock brakes and stability and traction control.

Behind the Wheel

I really like the way the Rogue feels when you slip behind its steering wheel. The front seat area has a cockpit-like design similar to a sporty car's, and the standard two-tone upholstery on the seats is surprisingly attractive. Yet when you crank up the seat using the manual control, you have the high perch and good visibility typical of a larger SUV.