2021 Nissan Rogue Sport Review

　　

2021 Nissan Rogue Sport Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　Don't let the name fool you. The 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport isn't the "sporty" edition of its namesake, at least not by any performance measure. The Rogue Sport has a smaller, less powerful engine than the larger Nissan Rogue. It also doesn't inspire any more appreciable driving thrill. But weighed against its competitors, the Rogue Sport makes a compelling case. It offers good head- and legroom for tall passengers, cargo space is ample, and it comes with an impressive array of advanced driver aids. It also cuts a sharp figure at rest.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 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) (Most Popular) - $24,160 MSRPS 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $25,560 MSRPSV 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $25,730 MSRPSV 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $27,130 MSRPSL 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $28,790 MSRPSL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $30,190 MSRP

　　vs

　　$166/mo

　　Avg. Compact SUV

　　But the Rogue Sport also forces some compromises. The underpowered engine can make highway entrances and lane changes a cautious affair. The seats, too, quickly turn uncomfortable on longer trips. We don't consider these deal-breakers overall but urge buyers to also consider other extra-small crossover SUVs such as the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul. For more on our take on the 2021 Rogue Sport, check out the categories of our Expert Rating below.

　　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.

　　Below Average

　　6.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

6.5/10

　　How does the Rogue Sport drive? The Rogue Sport isn't sporty, but it is competent and stable when guided through corners. The steering is vague and lifeless, but otherwise this SUV is easy to maneuver in traffic and tight parking lots. The brakes are well tuned and allow for smooth stops.

　　Alas, the Rogue Sport falters in the "need for speed" department. It's one of the slowest choices available in the subcompact SUV class. In our testing, 0-60 mph acceleration took a lethargic 10.2 seconds. That's about what you get from a Toyota Prius and means that passing on the highway takes careful planning.

　　

Comfort

6.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Rogue Sport? The Rogue Sport is below average in terms of comfort. On the positive side, we appreciate the availability of dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents. Its optional heated steering wheel is a rare offering in this class too.

　　Otherwise, we're let down by the Rogue Sport's cabin and road manners. The stiff suspension tuning results in a rough ride over most city streets, though the ride on the highway is more acceptable. Seat comfort and support are also lacking. Wind and road noise is reasonably suppressed, but engine noise is prominent while accelerating.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? The Rogue Sport offers spacious seating. Headroom is generous all around, and though legroom is naturally limited given the vehicle's small size, four adults should fit with ease. Visibility out of the front and side is also good thanks to the tall windows and narrow roof pillars.

　　The seating position is fairly natural, and only tall drivers will notice the wheel is positioned a bit low. Regardless of seating position, the dashboard controls seem a little far away. They are clearly labeled, however, and only the buttons on the steering wheel feel small. The tall doors and a low step-over height make it easy to get in and out of both rows.

　　

Technology

7.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The Rogue Sport's standard driver safety aids, which include blind-spot monitoring, automatic front and rear emergency braking, and lane departure warning, help its score quite a bit. Those features, along with the optional adaptive cruise control and 360-degree parking camera system, are rare at this price point. It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, now standard in this class, along with two USB ports.

　　Audio quality and center-screen resolution are weak links. The SL's six-speaker Bose audio system distorts sound at upper volumes, though the subwoofer delivers good bass. The touchscreen isn't exactly small but can seem so because it's located far away from the driver. Resolution is low, which makes seeing displayed information more difficult.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Rogue Sport has up to 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, a solid figure. Fold the seats down and you've got one of the biggest cargo areas in the extra-small SUV class. In-cabin storage for small items is less stellar. Two cupholders, a medium-size center console, and long but skinny door pockets are average for the class. The rear door pockets are a little too small and struggle to hold a standard water bottle.

　　There are lower anchor points for installing child safety seats in the rear outboard seating positions. Forward-facing seats should fit fine, but you'll have to slide the front seats up some for rear-facing car seats.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The Rogue Sport is underpowered and there's no real upside for fuel economy. We tested a front-wheel-drive Rogue Sport, which the EPA estimates gets 28 mpg combined (25 city/32 highway). With all-wheel drive, that drops to 27 mpg combined (24 city/30 highway). Either way this is a little below average for this class.

　　

Value

6.5/10

　　Is the Rogue Sport a good value? The value of the Rogue Sport varies. On the entry-level end, it's competitively priced, especially when you consider the ample number of standard advanced driving aids. But once you start looking at upper trims or add all-wheel drive, it quickly ends up being more expensive than its primary rivals. Here the Rogue Sport feels less like a bargain because of its interior, which is kitted out in cheap-looking materials.

　　Warranty coverage is typical. Bumper-to-bumper coverage and roadside assistance are offered for three years/36,000 miles. The powertrain warranty is good for five years/60,000 miles.

　　

Wildcard

6.0/10

　　We could forgive the Rogue Sport's subpar acceleration if it countered with a big fuel economy advantage or some other "surprise and delight" upside. The styling is fairly sleek, but there's really nothing here that will get you excited about owning a Rogue Sport.

　　

Which Rogue Sport does zzdcar recommend?

With just three available trims, the middle SV trim makes sense for most buyers. The SV's modest price increase adds desirable upgrades such as heated seats, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control and a better audio system.

　　

2021 Nissan Rogue Sport models

The 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is a five-passenger extra-small SUV offered in three trim levels. The S base trim comes with respectable standard comforts and impressive driver safety aids, while the SV adds more features and desirable options. The SL heads upscale with comfort and style upgrades such as 19-inch wheels, leather seating and navigation.

　　All Rogue Sport models come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (141 horsepower, 147 lb-ft of torque) and a continuously variable automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is optional on all trims.

　　Rogue Sport S

　　The base trim S comes with essentials such as:

　　17-inch alloy wheels Automatic headlights Cloth upholstery Height-adjustable driver's seat 60/40-split folding rear seats that slide and reclineStandard technology and safety features include:

　　7-inch touchscreen display Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration Satellite radio USB input Four-speaker sound system Blind-spot monitoring (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing) Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse) Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position) Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking) Forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)Rogue Sport SV

　　Adds more convenience features such as:

　　Remote engine start Push-start ignition Foglights Keyless entry Heated side mirrors Dual-zone automatic climate control Heated front seats Power-adjustable driver's seat Heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel Six-speaker sound systemOptional for the SV is the SV Technology package that adds:

　　Cloth and simulated leather seat upholstery Driver's seat memory settings Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Rogue Sport and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Rogue Sport and the car in front) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)Rogue Sport SL

　　Gains more style and tech features including:

　　19-inch alloy wheels Leather seating Navigation system The driver safety features from the SV's Technology packageThe Premium package for the SL includes:

　　Sunroof LED headlights Auto-dimming rearview mirror Driver's seat and side mirror memory settings Power-adjustable passenger seat Eight-speaker Bose sound system

　　

2021 Rogue Sport Highlights

Trim: SSVSLS

　　

Base MSRP	$24,160
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