2021 Nissan Rogue Review

　　

2021 Nissan Rogue Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　The Rogue is Nissan's best-selling vehicle, and it's also one of the most popular small SUVs on the market. We liked the 2014-2020 Rogue for its utility, passenger comfort and value, though ultimately we found rival SUVs did a better job of emphasizing performance and quality. Now Nissan is looking to better entice you with the introduction of the fully redesigned 2021 Nissan Rogue.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Nissan Rogue S 4dr SUV (2.5L 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

　　$124/mo  for Rogue S

　　Rogue S

　　S 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $26,050 MSRPS 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $27,450 MSRPS Fleet 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo CVT) - $26,650 MSRPS Fleet 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo CVT) - $28,050 MSRPSV 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $27,740 MSRPSV 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $29,140 MSRPSV Fleet 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo CVT) - $28,340 MSRPSV Fleet 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo CVT) - $29,740 MSRPSL 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $32,400 MSRPSL 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $33,800 MSRPSL Fleet 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo CVT) - $33,000 MSRPSL Fleet 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo CVT) - $34,400 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $35,830 MSRPPlatinum 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT) - $37,230 MSRPPlatinum Fleet 4dr SUV (1.5L 3cyl Turbo CVT) - $36,430 MSRPPlatinum Fleet 4dr SUV AWD (1.5L 3cyl Turbo CVT) - $37,830 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　The new Rogue has a more distinctive exterior design, punctuated by a boxier, more squared-off front end and recognizable LED lighting signatures. The biggest change comes to the cabin, especially in the new range-topping Platinum trim level. The previous Rogue used acres of cheap, hard and piano-black plastics. By contrast, the 2021 Rogue Platinum has upscale elements such as a digital instrument panel, quilted leather seats and ambient illumination.

　　ProPilot Assist — Nissan's name for its full suite of driver assistance features — now includes navigation-linked adaptive cruise control, which can slow down for upcoming road curves. A retuned transmission, slightly more powerful engine and lighter weight make the 2021 Rogue feel a little livelier to drive too.

　　By all measures, the 2021 Nissan Rogue is better than the outgoing model. Though it doesn't claim the top spot in our small SUV rankings, the new Rogue is much more competitive with class leaders that include the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　8.0

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Rogue drive? The driving experience is a huge area of improvement for the newest Rogue. The steering has a little more heft to it, so it doesn't feel as artificial and light. It's also responsive. Around turns, the Rogue stays composed, but it's not sporty like a Mazda CX-5.

　　The weak link is the Rogue's powertrain. At our test track, our all-wheel-drive Rogue test vehicle accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 9.2 seconds, which is an average time for a small SUV with a base engine. But in everyday driving the Rogue just seems lazy. Pushing the gas pedal past halfway doesn't result in any appreciable power. Highway passes require planning well ahead.

　　

Comfort

8.0/10

　　How comfortable is the Rogue? The Rogue is eminently comfortable. The front seats are wonderfully shaped, with padding that's both soft and supportive. The rear seats are similarly pleasant, with generous lumbar support and two recline positions.

　　The Rogue also has a comfortable ride quality in most circumstances. The suspension is well tuned to ably deal with a variety of road surfaces. It doesn't feel jittery even on the available 19-inch wheels with the shorter tire sidewalls.

　　Some wind and road noise makes its way into the cabin at highway speeds. The engine can also drone noisily under medium to heavy acceleration. As for climate control, the Rogue has an available triple-zone climate control system (SL trim and up), which is a rare feature for a small SUV. It works well to keep both front and rear passengers comfy.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? Getting into the Rogue is easy since the doors open nearly 90 degrees for unobstructed access. The cabin is airy, making the Rogue seem like a larger vehicle than it actually is. The tall, wide windows provide an expansive view out and contribute to the sense of space. The thick rear roof pillars block your rearward view slightly, but several driver aids are present to eliminate blind spots.

　　The interior layout is pleasant and cleanly designed overall. But there are a few minor downsides that prevent the Rogue from earning a perfect score. Rear legroom is a little bit tighter than the roomiest rivals, such as the CR-V, and the headrests have a mild forward tilt that might not be comfortable for all drivers.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The Rogue is one of the more tech-centric vehicles in its class. All models come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and all but the base trim have four USB ports for keeping devices charged. Our Platinum tester also had a charging pad and wireless Apple CarPlay — both are rare features for this class.

　　The Rogue's advanced driving aids are another highlight. Adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist make fewer mistakes than the systems in competitors and help reduce the stress of driving long distances. That said, Nissan says the adaptive cruise control can communicate with the navigation system to slow down for upcoming curves, but we never witnessed it working as intended.

　　Nissan's touchscreen interface is bright, attractive and fairly easy to use. The voice controls, on the other hand, are easily confused even when given clear instructions in the required syntax.

　　

Storage

9.0/10

　　How’s the storage? Even small SUVs have to offer plenty of room, and the Rogue obliges. SL and Platinum models come with a two-tier cargo management system that Nissan calls Divide-N-Hide. The dual-panel floor can rest in the upper position to create a perfectly flat load space when the rear seats are dropped. You can also lower the cargo panels for extra storage or set one up as a cargo divider.

　　With the panels in their lowest position, the Rogue offers 36.5 cubic feet of room, which is marginally smaller than class leaders. Fold the seats and you have 74.1 cubic feet at your disposal, which is one of the highest amounts in the small SUV class.

　　Interior storage for small items is also generous, especially up front. There's a nicely sized tray in front of the shifter, wide cupholders and a deep under-armrest bin. Backseat passengers enjoy door pockets suitable for large beverages, plus typical seatback pouches. The Rogue is also well suited for transporting young children. The large door openings, roomy back seat and easily accessible car seat anchors make loading or unloading a car seat easy.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? Nissan says a Rogue Platinum with all-wheel drive will get an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined driving (25 city/32 highway). These estimates are roughly 2 mpg better than the figures for some comparable SUVs with similar engines. We also found them to be representative of real-world driving in our testing.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the Rogue a good value? The Nissan Rogue costs slightly more than top-ranked competitors, but the cost is somewhat offset by its stronger set of standard features. The price of our top-trim Platinum all-wheel-drive tester was considerable; at $38,660, this particular model is one of the most expensive compact SUVs on the market. Again, that price brings extras — such as quilted leather and wireless Apple CarPlay — that are hard to find on competing crossovers. The overall quality of materials is seriously impressive, though we observed a few fit-and-finish issues on our tester.

　　Nissan's warranty coverage is typical for this class. The standard bumper-to-bumper warranty is good for three years/36,000 miles, as is roadside coverage. The powertrain is warrantied for five years/60,000 miles.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　The Rogue's handling abilities came as a surprise. Even though there's quite a bit of body roll, the quick-acting responses to steering input make it feel livelier than most. The loud, groany engine and its distinct lack of power sap the fun a bit.

　　There's no denying the Rogue is shaking up the small SUV class. With its bold, square exterior, it looks far less eggy than rival SUVs, and the cabin in our Platinum tester makes a strong first impression. It's nice to see Nissan trying something different here.

　　

Which Rogue does zzdcar recommend?

Though the entire Rogue lineup offers strong value, the SV is the standout. It doesn't cost much more than the base Rogue but adds a ton of features, including the ProPilot Assist system (which consists of adaptive cruise control and lane departure mitigation). If you have a more generous budget, the new Platinum trim is also worth a look. It's pricey, but few in the class can match its luxurious quilted leather and luxury-like feature upgrades.

　　

2021 Nissan Rogue models

The 2021 Nissan Rogue is a five-passenger small SUV sold in four trim levels: S, SV, SL and Platinum. All are powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (181 horsepower, 181 lb-ft of torque) mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Front-wheel drive is standard across the board, and all-wheel drive is available on all trims.

　　S

　　The base Rogue S is fairly well equipped, with standard features that include:

　　17-inch alloy wheels LED headlights Height-adjustable driver's seat Rear air vents 8-inch touchscreen Four-speaker audio system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality Satellite radio Two USB portsThe Rogue's suite of advanced driving aids is branded as Nissan Safety Shield. Safety Shield consists of:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse) Rear-passenger safe exit system (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind) Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)SV

　　The next-level SV is rich with comfort and safety features, including:

　　18-inch wheels Remote engine start Keyless entry and ignition Dual-zone automatic climate control Power-adjustable driver's seat Six-speaker audio system Two rear-seat charge-only USB ports Wi-Fi hotspot Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Nissan and the car in front) 360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Rogue and its surroundings for tight parking situations)The SV Premium package further adds:

　　Panoramic sunroof Power liftgate Roof rails Leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel Heated front seats Faux leather upholstery Second-row sunshadesSL

　　The luxe SL gets all of the features of the SV and SV Premium package plus:

　　19-inch wheels Heated mirrors with body-colored caps Hands-free operation for the liftgate Auto-dimming rearview mirror Tri-zone automatic climate control Driver-seat memory settings Power-adjustable passenger seat Leather upholstery Remote release levers for rear bench Dual-panel cargo floor The SL Premium package upgrades the Rogue with:

　　Navigation system 9-inch touchscreen 10-speaker Bose premium audio system Wireless Apple CarPlay Voice controls Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind or in front of the vehicle when parking)Platinum

　　The range-topping Platinum offers:

　　SL Premium package Digital instrument panel Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line onto the windshield) Heated rear seats Upgraded leather upholstery with quilted stitching Wireless charging pad

　　

2021 Rogue Highlights

Trim: SS FleetSVSV FleetSLSL FleetPlatinumPlatinum FleetS

　　

Base MSRP	$26,050
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	30 MPG
Cost to Drive	$124/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	31.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles