Nissan Rogue-2023

In the competitive small crossover SUV market, where the 2023 Nissan Rogue is now in its third model year, it goes up against rivals like the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and Hyundai Tucson. While selling over 412,000 units in 2018 alone, the Rogue has been the brand’s best-selling vehicle since 2016, lacking the cohesion of the sector leaders’ models. A new turbocharged three-cylinder engine was added late that year to complete the redesign, which in 2021 signified a radical shift in both structure and appearance. Older Rogues had one more cylinder, but the present one is quicker, more effective, and more entertaining.

There are four model levels for the 2023 Nissan Rogue, each with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive (AWD). With a low price but not much more, the S ($28,655, including a $1,295 destination charge) starts things started. It makes little sense to worry about optioning an S into a better-equipped car, given how much more the SV delivers (adaptive cruise control, for starters) for only a $1,690 price premium. The Platinum ($38,435) and SL ($33,710) proceed identically. Any grade may have AWD added for about $1,500, which is an excellent deal for anyone who lives in cold climates.

Because of its popularity, there are many ferocious rivals in the small crossover market. Nearly every manufacturer enters, in addition to the aforementioned strong heavyweights. The Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, Chevrolet Equinox, and Kia Sportage are on the list. The fact that the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance created the new Rogue and that it shares a platform with the Mitsubishi Outlander isn’t precisely a closely kept secret. Both vehicles have a 106.5-inch wheelbase, but the Rogue is preferable since it only has two rows instead of the Outlander’s short third row.

Even though the third-generation Rogue’s original 2.5-litre was only used for a year, a new 201-horsepower, 1.5-litre, turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 11% more horsepower and 25% more torque than the engine it replaced was introduced in late 2021 (for an early 2022 debut). The well-known continuously variable automatic gearbox (CVT) has been improved for the new engine and is still unable to match the smooth functioning of a true automatic. Thankfully, most Rogue customers will care more about the technology, audio system, and cozy inside.

Similar to how the Rogue balances on the edge of dynamics. The chassis calibration smartly sacrifices quiet highway riding and subdued impacts over cracked roads for razor-sharp handling. In our Rogue, we traveled billiard table-smooth turnpikes and cracked Chicago streets. We discovered that the suspension remarkably cleared moon-sized craters without causing severe cabin disruption. The Mazda CX-5 continues to provide the finest ride and handling balance among its rivals, but the latest Rogue is far better than the outgoing model.

Every Rogue comes standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which includes ten airbags, excellent safety ratings, blind spot warning, automatic rear braking, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane departure warnings, and automatic high lights. The updated interior and external appearance, together with the newer engine, give the Rogue what seems to be a firm foundation based on fashion, safety, usefulness, and efficiency. This little SUV is performing at its highest level ever and is now a top contender.

Performance: Nissan Rogue

Performance in the realm of tiny crossovers is a relative term. The 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine in the Rogue produces 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. While it may not seem very thrilling, keep in mind that the standard non-turbo 2.5-litre Toyota RAV4 has 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft, while the turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder in the current Honda CR-V has 191 horsepower and 179 lb-ft. The 1.5-litre Equinox from Chevy produces 175 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque.

The Rogue’s variable compression engine architecture gives it an advantage over its rivals. At the risk of oversimplifying, it uses a multi-link connection instead of the conventional one-piece connecting rod to adjust the compression ratio by changing the piston’s stroke, depending on the driving circumstances. Don’t be put off by its complicated explanation; the Rogue uses it openly and benefits from a good balance of power and fuel economy thanks in part to it.

The Rogue is at least sensitive to accelerator inputs, even if it will never be considered speedy. Nissan claims it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in eight seconds, and the CVT does an excellent job of ensuring that the engine produces an unappealing cacophony throughout most of the journey. Besides the CVT’s sporadic pregnant pauses when called upon, it’s a far more subdued powertrain while driving.

There are many better options if you want to tow more often than once or twice a year for short distances despite the 1,500-pound weight restriction.

All trims come standard with front-wheel drive, but all decorations may add all-wheel drive for $1,500. AWD is surprisingly competent for a simple system with just a few basic driving modes. Although there is no hill descent control, and we wouldn’t recommend using the Rogue for rock crawling, it is perfect enough for mild forest trails and minor dirt obstacles. Although it has lots of wheel travel and 8.2 inches of ground clearance, it was not intended to be a significant off-road vehicle. The Outlander would be interesting to check closely if that’s your area of interest.

Fuel efficiency: Nissan Rogue

The basic Rogue achieves a respectable 33 mpg combined (30 cities, 37 highways). Wheel size and roof racks, among other small variables, cause the SL and Platinum versions to lose one mpg in each measure. The Rogue is near the top of its class in fuel economy even with all-wheel drive, achieving 31 mpg combined (28 cities, 35 highways) in these models.

When compared directly, the front-wheel drive CR-V achieves a combined fuel economy of 30 mpg (28 cities, 34 highways); the front-wheel drive RAV4 with an eight-speed automatic has a combined fuel economy of 30 mpg (27 cities, 35 routes). The standard Chevy Equinox still has a six-speed manual transmission, which is less effective, and gets 28 combined mpg (26 cities, 31 highway).

Safety and driver support technology:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awards the 2023 Rogue a perfect five-star rating out of five stars. This is significant since some early production of 2021 Rogues received terrible ratings in agency reviews, which prompted some last-minute modifications. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2023 Rogue a “Top Safety Pick” rating compared to the 2022 model, proving the revisions were successful.

Nissan also provides a significant array of standard active safety systems in addition to the crash structure. Blind spot warnings, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane departure warnings, front automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, rear automatic emergency braking, and a driver alertness monitor are all standard. Only SV and above trims are equipped with the ProPILOT adaptive cruise control technology, which provides some level of semi-autonomous driving.

ProPilot with Navi-Link offers an additional degree of partially autonomous highway operation between entered locations on the SL and Platinum variants. It also includes recognition of traffic signs. On the SL, it is a $1,320 option; on the Platinum, it is standard. Although the technology functions effectively, it falls short of GM’s Super Cruise.

Comfort and Space

Most manufacturers in this field do a respectable job maximizing passenger rooms despite the small exterior dimensions. Still, the Rogue stands out because of its very comfy front seats. Even extremely tall people can fit comfortably in the front seat, with plenty of space in the rear.

The Rogue’s 38.5 inches of rear knee room makes for a relatively roomy back seat, even if it has less posterior legroom than the Tuscon (41.2 inches), CR-V (40.4 inches), or Forester (39.4 inches). Additionally, there is more space in the rear than in the Ford Bronco Sport (369.9) or Toyota RAV4 (37.8). Large door apertures also simplify loading little children and handling heavy car seats.

Infotainment:

An 8.0-inch infotainment screen is included in the base package, while a 9-inch HD screen is available on SL and standard on Platinum. Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto is functional on the SL and is standard on Platinum. A Wi-Fi hotspot is included as standard equipment on SV grades and above, with access to NissanConnect Services and rear USB ports. The Bose system is an excellent improvement on the six-speaker setup and is available as an option on the SL and standard on the Platinum.

Nissan’s native navigation isn’t as easy to use or as good as those that drive via Android Auto or CarPlay, but it’s standard on the Platinum and available as an option on the SL. Nissan’s method makes pinch-and-zoom disturbingly imprecise, yet the mirroring screen works fine with Apple or Google. Despite the clutter, the interface is mainly bright and clear. Fortunately, all HVAC and vehicle functions still have physical controls.

Storage & Cargo Space:

Any big crossover depends on its capacity to transport people and stuff, and the Rogue delivers 31.6 cubic feet of storage space behind the back seats. With load floor compartments with retractable lids, the SL and Platinum versions enhance that space’s capacity to 36.5 cubic feet. The CR-V tops it with 39.3 cubes, and the RAV4 tops it with 37.4.

The Rogue’s storage space increases to 74.1 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded, only falling short of class leaders like the Tucson (74.8) and CR-V (75.8). Additionally, the Rogue’s statistics outperform those of the CX-5 (30.9 and 59.6) and RAV4 (37.5 and 69.8)

Big door bins that can hold even large beverages, a creative console with a standard storage bin, and a space below the bridge-like casing for the shifter and driving mode buttons show that passengers aren’t forgotten either.

Design:

It’s virtually impossible to believe this eye-catching looker is a Nissan Rogue, even with the risk of using exaggeration. The company was a card-carrying student at the generic blob design school ten years ago. Today, its designs, like the current Rogue, are more daring but brand-focused, with angular and muscular forms with plenty of surface character and detail. Only the Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-50 compete with the Rogue for visual flare in this class. However, it looks best in the red and blue colors with the bigger wheels, which cost extra or necessitate upgrading to higher models.

Although, like many rivals, there is too much piano black detailing, the Rogue’s interior is nonetheless unique. More interior colors and high-quality materials are used in higher-end Rogues, which enhance the cabin and include quilted leather in the Platinum. However, even the Essential S is more stylish than Subaru’s or Toyota’s competition.

Is the Nissan Rogue from 2023 Worth It?

There is ample flexibility to customize a Rogue to suit your demands between the entry-level front-wheel-drive S ($28,665, including a $1,295 delivery cost) and the top-tier Platinum AWD ($39,995).

We recommend the base Model S in favor of the SV, which starts at just $1,695more and comes standard with features like adaptive cruise control, push-button start, remote start, a power driver’s seat with lumbar support, dual-zone climate control, six speakers (up from four in the S), a Wi-Fi hotspot, two rear USB ports, and 18-inch wheels. Half of that stuff would cost more to add on a la carte than the straightforward one-box upgrade the SV offers. You’re looking at $31,845 if you include AWD.

With quilted leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, wireless charging, and about every additional item Nissan provides on this vehicle, the Platinum trim level ups the level of luxury. Still, at $39,995, you’re in the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 price range.

At $31,845, the SV AWD is, without a doubt, the best value. For $35,005, you can upgrade to the SL, which has heated leather seats (without the Platinum’s quilted stitching), a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, and more if you can’t stomach the notion of sitting on “leatherette cloth” upholstery.

How Much Does the Nissan Rogue Cost to Insure?

Insurance for the Rogue is somewhat more expensive than for its competitors. Our findings show that a 30-year-old female driver with a clean driving record may anticipate paying an average premium of $2,048 annually. The Toyota RAV4 is $1,979, the Ford Bronco Sport is $1,911, and a Honda CR-V of a comparable size costs roughly $1,850.

Results

The Nissan Rogue, completely revamped for 2021, is now experiencing a revival. The previous second-gen model had good sales but didn’t have the current vehicle’s appealing, somewhat chiseled design or robust, effective 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged engine. The Rogue competes with leaders in its market thanks to a sleek interior, supportive front seats, and a quiet ride. Despite certain shortcomings in dynamic handling, it is a serious challenger in the small crossover market because of its array of standard safety and technological amenities.