What you need to know
The Nissan Rogue compact crossover SUV was not only the number-one selling Nissan model for the 2017 model year, it was so popular that it spawned a new sub-model, the Rogue Sport. The versatile Rogue offers good interior room for five and an uncommon level of passenger- and cargo-carrying flexibility. It is available in three well-equipped trim levels: S, SV and SL, and all trims get expanded equipment levels for 2018. For those of you into connectivity (and who isn’t?) NissanConnect featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been added to the standards list across the line.
Driving Today Expert Rating
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New for 2018
The headline change for 2018 is the addition of available ProPILOT Assist technology, available on the Rogue SL as part of the Platinum Package. ProPILOT Assist provides assisted steering, braking and accelerating during single-lane highway driving, and Nissan calls it the foundation for the autonomous vehicles of the future, but don’t expect fully autonomous operation. With two-button presses the system does help drivers stay centered in the lane, navigate stop-and-go traffic, maintain a set vehicle speed and maintain a set distance to the vehicle ahead. If you’re not quite willing to go that far, the 2018 SL includes standard Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Lane Intervention and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection.
Driving it
With 170 horsepower on tap from its 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine the Rogue is a lively enough performer, though its relatively high center of gravity and comfort-tuned suspension mean a bit of body roll on aggressive cornering. It is available in front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive configurations, and in keeping with its driver-aids theme, the Rogue offers a laundry list of dynamic technologies. Intelligent Trace Control, Intelligent Engine Braking and Intelligent Ride Control mean the Rogue might be smarter than many of its drivers. One of our favorite features is Hill Start Assist, which will keep you from rolling back on an unsuspecting car behind you on an incline.
Key competitors:
Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox, Mazda CX-5
Price range:
Base: $25,000
Fully Equipped: $33,000
Typically Equipped: $27,500
Best feature:
Highly versatile interior with upscale design, great infotainment integration and advanced cargo-carrying features
Lacks:
Wi-fi “hotspot” function
Typical buyer: (estimated)
Male/Female – 48/52 percent Married/Single – 50/50 percent
Median age – 36 Median Household Income – $65,000
Safety
NHTSA Crash Test Ratings
Overall 4-star Frontal 4-star Side 5-star Rollover 4-star
Electronic Stability Control, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Crash Imminent Braking, Dynamic Brake Support
IIHS: Top Safety Pick
Fuel Economy (EPA miles per gallon city/highway/combined)
Lowest: 25 / 32 / 27 Highest: 26 / 33 / 29
Predicted Reliability
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Predicted Cost-to-Own (versus key competitive vehicles)
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