Nissan Rogue S “360” test drive.
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-HOW IT LOOKS.
I always thought the Rogue never looked as good as it’s European cousin, the Kashkai.
And I still do.
But somehow, I have gotten used to its design and I actually quite like it.
As most people I was talking to.
It does have a mini Murano look, without looking too small.
And it is almost as roomy as its larger brother.
The version I drove this time was a more basic S FWD with the “360” option package.
The “360” package includes, among other things, a chrome grille. Which I think, does a lot do improve the car’s front end.
I usually don’t like chrome, but in this case, it does help a lot.
-HOW IT IS INSIDE.I always liked the Rogue’s interior, so no changes here.
Most plastics are of high quality. And many of them have a nice soft touch, which is getting to be quite rare, at any price.
Sure, it doesn’t have the leather of the more expensive model I drove last year, but the cloth is comfortable and seems durable.
The first thing I noticed (and remembered from my previous encounter with the Rogue), is the high seating position.
I know, that’s what most SUV/Crossover drivers want. But there is no way for the seat to be adjusted lower.
It just took me a while to get used to it.
The seats themselves are very comfortable.
The car is roomy, front and back. The best feature included in the 360 package is the In-Mirror rear view monitor.
It is just a great feature. A small screen appears in the rear view mirror when you put the car in reverse. A great, simple feature that does not require the expensive purchase of a GPS option.
All cars should have it.
One thing all cars should have it too is Bluetooth.
My basic S model didn’t have it…
And the base stereo is just OK. An upgrade is a good idea.
-HOW IT DRIVES.
-HOW IT DRIVES.-Ride.
The ride is always very quiet and very smooth.
The car feels solid.
It is just a very pleasant car to drive around and be in.
-Steering.
The steering is what you expect. Nothing special or memorable.
It is light and pretty precise. It fits perfectly the car’s mission.
-Engine.
The engine is really smooth, and almost always very quiet.
I am not sure if Nissan has done any improvements, but I really felt the car was quieter than the one I test drove last year.
Power is never a problem either.
-Transmission.The Rogue, like all automatic Nissans in the US, comes with a CVT transmission.
I remember not liking it much last year when I drove the SL AWD version. ( Even though the CVT works extremely well on all Nissans with the V6)
But I had a different experience this time.
Again, not sure if Nissan did some modifications. Or maybe it just works better with FWD…
I found the CVT to be working very well. It is responsive most of the time. Around town, the car feels very quick.
The only small problem would be getting up to speed on the freeway with a loaded car. But pushing it a bit does work and the car responds quite quickly.
And really, that would be the problem for most other car that size with a smaller 4 cylinder…
In a world of slower and slower “regular” automatics, the Rogue’s CVT is not worse, and better than most.
It is miles ahead of the horrible one in the Mitsubishi Outlander.
Plus, I manages to get a bit over 30mpg on the FWY. (rated at 27)
And had no problem getting the 22 MPG rating in the city.
-SO???I would really recommend the Rogue to anyone looking for a solid a roomy compact crossover.
It is very well made, has a quality feel to it, and gets really good mileage.
The luxury car ride is also a plus.
If you don’t mind the high seating position that is…
At $22 300, my test car was also priced right. And is also a good and more practical alternative to a basic mid sized sedan.
A loaded SL FWD will top over $27 000, which becomes quite pricey. (ALthough you could actually get them for at least $2000 less).
i love rogues , always have. i recently drove the crv, rav4 and kia/hyundai offerings. it is overall the best, so I got one just like this one, only black. i'm in love.
i'm really glad the CVT are getting better and helping MPG numbers is not to shabby either.
Id rather buy a new sportage and get a real auto trannie….
i really like your road tests. i've been reading car mags since i was a kid, a LONG time ago, lol, and i'm sick of their road tests. All they concentrate on are the 0-60 times and the skidpad, as if anyone drives crossovers for those parameters. Really, even in a Porsche, with traffic these days, 0-60 is meaningless for the most part. Your road tests make me feel like I'm actually doing the test myself. thank you!
The chrome grille really makes it!
Looks good.
My wife and I liked the Rogue by far the least when shopping for a small CUV recently.
We haven't purchased yet, but we have certainly crossed the Rogue off of our list. Nissans reliability history (esp. with the CVTs), and poor resale value will hurt this vehicle in the long run.
Vince, I have no idea what you are talking about with the CVT. I found it obnoxious and I couldn't stand the rubber band like power delivery. My co-workers Alitma had a CVT that went out about two years ago costing him over $8,000 only 15,000 miles outside of the warranty.
We found that the CR-V is still the best even though it is one of the oldest models. Also, the new Tucson is incredible for the money as well.
Nissan are the world leaders in CVT technology. They get better all the time. Within 2 to 3 years, it will be the best transmission on the planet. Do not doubt it, there are a plethora of improvemnets coming for an already great tranny.
nissan products astound me. Style, quality reliability,safety, I am a huge fan.
Don't agree with you at all, I am not a fan at all.
I had an AWD SL as a rental for over a month after some drunk prick broadsided my Edge. I couldn't wait to get out of the Rogue and back into my vehicle. It looked nice at first glance but everything about it is cheap.
Sorry; having owned Nissans before – I will never own a rogue. It wasn't the CVT that was the issue (it was actually one of the things that worked on the car)…everything else died; and the dealers are bonused on their 'repair / service sales' (at least here in Canada) – so it was a bad combination.
This said, if I still were a Nissan owner – I still would not buy this thing. They took a nice design from Europe and mutilated it….They thing is hideous; much like most other Nissan offerings.
"CVT Fan said…
Nissan are the world leaders in CVT technology. They get better all the time. Within 2 to 3 years, it will be the best transmission on the planet. Do not doubt it, there are a plethora of improvemnets coming for an already great tranny.
May 17, 2010 7:47 AM"
By any chance do you own a flower business with 10 Sentras/Versas/Quests/whatever you want people to believe?
Do you often call Nissans "a beautiful piece of kit"?
Do you really think that a crappy CVT is better than even the worst modern dual clutch?
I am also a big Nissan supporter. I know exactly what Vince is saying. It's a very positive , good feeling I always get in a Nissan. Recently, My Husband and I drove every car of substantial quality. We crossed Toyota off our list for obvious reasons. We drove, the Mitsubihi Galant, Honda accord, Mazda 6, Passat, and Altima. We even drove some Korean stuff, although the new Hyundai is pretty, it is not in the same category as the solid Altima. All were long test drives. We were leaning the way of the Altima because of our great , long history with the company and because it was the consumer reports best car in this category. We bought it, it is far superior to all the others and we conntinue the love affair. Consumer reports was right, we agree, Nissan is #1.
"constantinople said…
I am also a big Nissan supporter. I know exactly what Vince is saying. It's a very positive , good feeling I always get in a Nissan. Recently, My Husband and I drove every car of substantial quality. We crossed Toyota off our list for obvious reasons. We drove, the Mitsubihi Galant, Honda accord, Mazda 6, Passat, and Altima. We even drove some Korean stuff, although the new Hyundai is pretty, it is not in the same category as the solid Altima. All were long test drives. We were leaning the way of the Altima because of our great , long history with the company and because it was the consumer reports best car in this category. We bought it, it is far superior to all the others and we conntinue the love affair. Consumer reports was right, we agree, Nissan is #1.
May 18, 2010 7:21 AM"
Good luck with that CVT.
Stick to CR if you want to buy a washer and dryer, not a vehicle.
There is too much Renault influence in their designs now and they look stupid.
In response to 'constantinoples' comment…
I think this just cements the idea that people will believe what they want to believe. The Altima is a fine car but VERY mid-pack in terms of just about everything. There is no way anyone with any amount of feeling in their hands would call the Altima more solid than a Passat.
Some goes for the Rogue. It's fine for it's price point but common. It's totally bland. Totally ordinary. The new KIA Sportage will eat a couple of these for lunch.
The Rogue is invisible to me. It looks pretty bad, but not so bad that I can hate it. To me, it looks like a jacked-up Sentra wagon. And that ain't good.
I'm not a fan of CVT transmission. I feel like I am flying that gyro copter on Pilot wings N64 game. Hit the gas and hear the whine and wait to fly.
I completely agree with the poster on May 18, 2010 10:57 AM.
CR is great for their reliability studies for cars, but for their tests they are worthless. Anytime that someone complains about a firm ride in a dedicated sports car, they are moronic.
As for the Rogue, I am another one who doesn't like its melted bar of soap look. The Murano looks pretty awful, and a mini Murano is even worse. I'd take a CR-V or a Tucson over it any day of the week. That upcoming Kia Sportage looks really good too!
Vince, any chance you will get to drive the new Sportage?
I have driven every import japanese brand over the years, except Mitsu. I now have a Nissan Rogue with a CVT. To me, but who am I?, This is the nicest Japanese brand transmission ever.
The CVT, looks, and poor secondary plastics on this thing kill the vehicle.
My aunt had one for about a year and a half and got tired of the CVT. She usually keeps vehicles for 10+ years or until they die. Her last vehicle was a 1996 Ford Taurus with 240,000 miles.
Hey Quick Sale, Listen to yourself ( we Know you are actually a ford sales person) Your aunt kept a long term Ford, but got "rid" of her Nissan Rogue. Sounds like someone needs long term care for sure.
This Vehicle is very beautiful, interior trim is first rate and the CVT is the best in the world. I'm sure the Ford was built better……c'mon
"Soooo Transparent said…
Hey Quick Sale, Listen to yourself ( we Know you are actually a ford sales person) Your aunt kept a long term Ford, but got "rid" of her Nissan Rogue. Sounds like someone needs long term care for sure.
This Vehicle is very beautiful, interior trim is first rate and the CVT is the best in the world. I'm sure the Ford was built better……c'mon
May 20, 2010 7:13 AM"
No one else agrees, and it has never placed first in any comparison test. The major automotive publications certainly don't heap praise on this thing either.
The CVT is a piece of junk, and Nissan knows it. That is why they had to EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO AVOID LAWSUITS due to PREMATURE FAILURE. I also know someone who had a CVT fail, but it was in a Maxima. Go check out Edmunds forums and see how many failures are reported.
If you aren't in the industry, then shut your mouth. Go talk to any Nissan tech and see how many black shipping cases are sitting around the shop that transport CVT transmissions.
Why is a 240,000 mile Taurus that uncommon? I know someone who has a '98 Mustang with 210,000 miles on it.
Sooo Transparent is dead on. All these toyota/honda sheep are soooo ignorant. Nissan Builds a world class car….end of story!
"Qel que Chause said…
Sooo Transparent is dead on. All these toyota/honda sheep are soooo ignorant. Nissan Builds a world class car….end of story!
May 20, 2010 11:06 AM"
You are "sooo" the same guy who says that Nissans are a beautiful piece of kit, and claim you own a flower delivery business with 10 Sentras.
GTFO of here.
"This Vehicle is very beautiful, interior trim is first rate and the CVT is the best in the world."
Are you sniffing glue? How can you seriously say that? The Rogue isn't an awful car, but it's nowhere near world class. Maybe third-world class.
May 20, 2010 2:55 PM = HAHAHhahahahahaHHAHAHAHAHAHAH
May 20, 2010 5:56 PM = Agreed!
Qashqai is the correct spelling Vince. What the….