Refined Rogue is a winner
Nissan’s compact crossover drives to the front of a crowded class
Like the compact car market in Canada, the compact crossover segment is ultra competitive. And while Nissan’s first-generation Rogue still lags the likes of the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 on the sales charts, the small crossover was the brand’s bestseller in 2012.
However, to better compete with the segment leaders, the new 2014 second-generation Rogue comes loaded with more upscale exterior styling, a premium interior, new state-of-the-art driving and safety aids, and, for the first time ever, optional third-row seating.
The 2014 Rogue is now a global vehicle. Just like the 2008 original, it slips between the subcompact, five-passenger Juke and the mid-sized, six- or seven-passenger Pathfinder in Nissan’s crossover garage.
Essentially the North American version of the foreign-market Nissan X-Trail, the Rogue uses the same all-new Nissan-Renault platform.
Despite having a similar footprint as the outgoing Rogue that’s been on sale since 2008, the 2014 model’s longer wheelbase makes for a much roomier cabin — roomy enough for Nissan to offer a pair of jump seats in the back, making the Rogue a seven-seater, and a feature in the segment shared only with the Dodge Journey and Mitsubishi Outlander.
Used as a five-seater, the new Rogue excels. Its reclining secondrow seating offers generous legroom, and the middle portion of the 40/20/40-split bench allows for longer items such as hockey sticks and skis.
Like that of its rivals, though, the Rogue’s third-row seats are strictly for occasional use. At least extrawide rear door openings and Nissan’s so-called EZ Flex Seating System (first seen in last year’s new Pathfinder) make it relatively easier to get to the furthest row.
Equally impressive as the Nissan’s roomier cabin is its functional interior design and fit-and-finish. Compared to existing Nissan models, the extensive use of soft-touch plastics and aluminum-like trim gives the Rogue a premium feeling throughout — much nicer than the rival Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.
The Rogue’s centre control stack is also more intuitive to use than the frustrating Ford Escape’s controls, with the Nissan’s audio and climate controls are cleanly separated and organized.
Details such as optional Quick Comfort heated front seats (designed to immediately begin warming your thighs and hips first) only add to the Rogue’s upscale vibe.
When it arrives at Canadian dealers in December, the 2014 Rogue will come in the familiar S, SV and top-line SL models. The S and SV Rogues can be had as front-wheel drivers, with all-wheel-drive optional. The SL comes only with traction at all four wheels.
With standard features that include a rear-view camera, Bluetooth, hands-free text messaging, auxiliary jack, and a USB connection port for iPods and other compatible devices, even the base Rogue S is competitively equipped. Options such as third-row seating, navigation, Nissan’s Around View Monitor, power liftgate, blind-spot and lane-departure warning systems, and moving object detection add to its premium vehicle aspirations.
While 2014 Rogue pricing won’t be announced until mid-November, Nissan Canada is saying that moving production from Japan to the U.S. means the new Rogue’s base price will be “very compelling,” compared to the current model’s just-under $24,000 starting price — despite the above-mentioned upgrades.
Even with its mainstream pricing, the 2014 Rogue drives like a premium vehicle. Its ride is compliant without being too sharp. Its electronic steering delivers just enough feedback, without being too light. And road and engine noise are noticeably absent.
Compact crossover buyers who like to drive may be better served in an Escape, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5 or Volkswagen Tiguan. But if your priorities lie more toward a comfortable and quiet ride, the 2014 Rogue is a huge step up from its less-refined predecessor.
For many buyers today, “premium” translates to “technology.” As such, the 2014 Rogue gains a trio of new driving aids. The first is active trace control that works with the Nissan’s stability control to measure out engine torque and use the brakes to increase stability in corners. The second is active engine braking that engages the CVT to deliver more negative engine torque to help slow the vehicle.
And finally, active ride control keeps the Rogue under control through large road dips and undulations via a combination of automatic braking and throttle management.
With all of its new-found room, premium interior and state-of-theart goodies, the least innovative part of the 2014 Rogue lies underneath its front hood. There you’ll find what is essentially a carry-over 170 horsepower, 175 pound-feet of torque, 2.5-litre four-cylinder gas engine, mated to a continually variable automatic transmission.
With only two automotive writers on board, the powertrain is merely adequate. Mainly through tweaking the CVT and better aerodynamics, at least Nissan has managed to make the 2014 more fuel efficient — admittedly, more of a priority than tire-burning performance within this segment. The front-wheel-drive model is rated at 7.9 L/100 km in the city, 6.0 on the highway, with allwheel-drive versions sipping only 8.2 and 6.2 respectively. Those figures are not only better than the 2013 model, but also beat the Escape, CR-V and RAV4.
In a crowded class, with its extra room, improved fuel economy, longer list of standard and available features, and upscale interior and driving demeanour, the 2014 Nissan Rogue goes from an afterthought to one of the leaders.