2017 Nissan Rogue Sport Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byTravis LangnessReviews Editor

　　Travis Langness has worked in the automotive industry since 2011. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career.

　　

What’s new

　　The 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport is an all-new compact crossover. It's slightly smaller than the standard Rogue but slightly bigger than the Nissan Juke.

　　

Vehicle overview

　　With increasing shopper demand for crossovers, Nissan has decided to bring a new nameplate to the American shores: the 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport. Smaller and less powerful than the standard Rogue, the new Rogue Sport seats five passengers (no optional third row here) and has decent cargo space, with a lower profile than the standard Rogue and sleeker looks. Essentially, it's an even more compact version of the already compact crossover.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$135/mo  for Rogue Sport S

　　Rogue Sport S

　　S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $21,420 MSRPS 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $22,770 MSRPSV 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $23,020 MSRPSV 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $24,370 MSRPSL 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $26,070 MSRPSL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $27,420 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　Despite its size and fairly entry-level position in Nissan's SUV lineup, the 2017 Rogue Sport still offers an impressive roster of available safety equipment, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, collision detection with emergency braking, and a surround-view camera. Rare features in the segment, these options help the Rogue Sport stand out.

　　So while it has its virtues, there are several competitors out there that give Rogue Sport a run for its money, especially rivals from Honda and Mazda. We recommend a test drive of the Rogue Sport, but make sure you include some of its top rivals on your short list as well.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

　　Driven by the success of the larger Rogue, Nissan has now introduced the 2017 Rogue Sport. Meant to compete with compact crossovers such as the Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-3, the Rogue Sport is available with lots of class-leading tech and safety equipment that help it stand out in the class.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our First Drive of the 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport SL (2.0L inline-4 | CVT automatic | AWD).

　　

Driving

　　While it isn't the liveliest compact crossover on the road, the Rogue Sport has decent handling capabilities. Poor responsiveness from the underpowered engine and the CVT automatic dampen the experience.

　　

Comfort

　　Though it isn't as comfortable as its big brother, the standard Rogue, the Rogue Sport has well-cushioned seats on the top trim levels and a generally quiet cabin at cruising speeds. It should do well on any long journey.

　　

Interior

　　From behind the driver's seat, you'll have a hard time telling whether you're in a Rogue Sport or a standard Rogue. Both interiors use high-quality materials and have solid construction. Front and rear legroom are generous enough for adults.

　　

Utility

　　When it comes to cargo space, the Rogue Sport is about in the middle of its class. It has 22.9 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats and 61.1 cubes with the rear seats folded. Small-item storage (cupholders, door pockets, etc.) is average.

　　

Technology

　　This may be an entry-level crossover, but it doesn't skimp on tech. It gets many of the same features the bigger Rogue does, which is a big plus in this smaller class of vehicle.

　　

Which Rogue Sport does zzdcar recommend?

　　Right in the middle of the Rogue Sport model range is the SV trim level, and that's the one we'd recommend. The SV comes standard with the upgraded six-speaker stereo, dual-zone climate control and keyless ignition, but it's also possible to equip it with most of the SL trim's optional extras such as the 7-inch touchscreen, a 360-degree camera and navigation. Also, the SV comes with 17-inch alloys instead of the SL's larger 19-inch wheels, which should improve ride quality.

　　

2017 Nissan Rogue Sport models

　　The new 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport is a five-passenger compact crossover SUV with three trim levels: S, SV and SL. The S trim is pretty basic in terms of equipment with steel wheels and a small 5-inch center console screen. The SV and SL get items such as dual-zone automatic climate control and a hands-free liftgate. All versions of the Rogue Sport come standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (141 horsepower, 147 pound-feet of torque) and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is optional.

　　Standard feature highlights for the Rogue Sport S include 16-inch steel wheels, cloth upholstery, 60/40-split folding rear seats, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, a 5-inch infotainment display, and a four-speaker CD player with USB input and satellite radio.

　　The SV trim adds a few creature comforts and upgrades such as 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, automatic headlights, keyless entry and ignition, a cargo management system, dual-zone automatic climate control, a six-way power driver seat and a six-speaker audio system.

　　The top-of-the-line SL trim includes 19-inch wheels, automatic high beams, foglights, heated mirrors, remote start, a hands-free liftgate, leather upholstery, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, a universal garage door opener, a 7-inch touchscreen, a surround-view camera system, NissanConnect emergency and convenience telematics, Siri Eyes Free iPhone control and a navigation system.

　　Some of the top-level features are also available on the S and SV trims as options. The SL Premium package adds a sunroof, LED headlights, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The SL Platinum package adds adaptive cruise control with forward collision mitigation and pedestrian detection as well as lane departure warning and lane keeping assist.

　　

2017 Rogue Sport Highlights

Trim: SSVSLS

　　

Base MSRP	$21,420
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$135/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	22.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles