Nissan Rogue
How it looks on the street: The Nissan Rogue has solid do-everything compact SUV vibes. It was introduced as a 2008 model and has evolved its shape over the past 16 years to capture a solid position in the compact sport utility vehicle segment. We’ve grown more fond of the Rogue over that time and consider it a solid choice for families. The styling has moved from a bulbous and roguish first gen — if you will— to sculpted and well-proportioned. Its overall current styling debuted on the 2021 model and has received minor tweaks over the past few years. For the 2024 model year, updates include a grille with redrawn slats, a smoothed-out front end and rear, and more wheel options. Rogue is available in four trims — S, SV, SL, and Platinum.
On the Inside: The uncluttered interior makes a strong case for practical minimalism enhanced by large windows that make the space feel airier. Within that cabin are a slew of standard features depending on trim. We’ll talk about our top-end trim, which featured a digital cluster, head-up display, and wireless charging that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A larger 12.3-inch screen follows the industry trend that more screen comes at a premium and it now feature Google apps. The overall layout with the Nissan’s bold face logo on the steering wheel is strong rather than subtle. We always appreciate a booming Bose sound system, and ours had 10 speakers and a subwoofer that a teenage tested to the bass limits in the passenger seat. Outside noise is minimal due to active noise cancellation. Alexa voice controls are built in. A leather-wrapped steering wheel makes it feel a bit snazzier, too.
How it drives: Rogue is an excellent city driving car powered by a turbo-charged three-cylinder engine that boasts solid acceleration numbers. It’s easy to maneuver around stop-start traffic and overall a smooth ride that corners well. Parallel parking is simple with reverse, tilt-down mirrors. The self-driving features in Pro Pilot also help to minimized distractions and driver cognitive load. Its a gasoline model that gets about 30 miles per gallon for the all-wheel drive model we drove. It’s also made as a front-wheel drive model, too.
Space for people and things: We did some hauling of sports equipment and art supplies over the course of our spring test and the versatility of the interior. Folding flat seats and tucking maximize cabin space. The seating is roomy as well.
What to compare it to: Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-50, Kia Sportage
How much does it cost: We drove the the high-end Platinum trim model, which edges the Rogue price up squarely in premium territory at $43,000. Niceties such as heated rear seats, a head-up display, rear-zone sunshades, and a tri-climate system are part of this package. The base version of this trim is $40,000. The base model S is about $30,000, and a much more modest product without the bells and whistles.