Like the Big Mac, the Rogue is a popular seller that’s far from the best choice you can make. Its powertrain behaves coarsely, acceleration is arduous, and it’s pricier than its top competitors. The Rogue’s serious lack of driving dynamics and lackluster performance are offset in part by a comfortable cabin, above-average cargo space, and a fuel-efficient gas engine. It’s the only one in its class to have an optional third row and one of two with a hybrid model—the Toyota RAV4 is the other. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the Nissan a Top Safety Pick+ partly because of its available automated emergency braking. Still, given its price, performance and refinement deficits, the Rogue is a mediocre meal deal that’ll satisfy the masses but not those who crave the best bang for their buck. For them, there are better options.
What’s New for 2017?
The Rogue receives updated styling inside and out as well as its first ever hybrid powertrain. Nissan implemented its Vmotion corporate design theme onto the Rogue’s front end and added an optional motion-activated tailgate. Inside, changes include new materials throughout, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, and an updated center console. The Rogue now has active-safety assists such as adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking. Additional new optional features include remote start, a heated steering wheel, memory mirrors and driver’s seat, and a Platinum Reserve interior package that brings tan leather-appointed seats with quilted inserts.
Trims and Options We’d Choose
Of the five available trims, we think the Rogue SV represents the best value. The powertrain is a 170-hp four-cylinder paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The well-equipped Rogue SV starts at $25,240 and includes standard features such as:
• Proximity key for passive entry and push-button start
• Heated front seats with a six-way power driver’s seat
• Blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
Selecting the SV Premium package ($1380) includes a motion-activated liftgate, a 7.0- inch touchscreen with navigation, and a 360-degree camera used by Nissan’s Moving Object Detection system, which alerts the driver to moving objects nearby. All-wheel drive costs an extra $1350 on every trim level of the Rogue, but we’re content with front-wheel drive. This setup costs $27,560—but for almost the same price, we’d much rather have the far better equipped Honda CR-V, which we named one of our 10Best Trucks and SUVs for 2017.
