Rogue transports families in style
Nissan’s redesigned SUV offers comfort and safety
Dammit! Here I am driving Nissan’s redesigned Rogue and there’s not a single zombie snowman to be found. As viewed on the automaker’s TV commercial, I am so in the mood to run over a few of those icy buggers just to exact a small measure of vengeance for what has been an interminably long winter.
Frankly, though, I would rather be terminating those mutant snowflakes with something more prejudicial, perhaps a Sherman tank fitted with flame-throwers or, more accessible, a Humvee. Somehow, the Rogue, a mildmannered, family-oriented sport ute doesn’t convey the muscle required to dispatch those abominable creatures to a frozen hell. It’s like recruiting Michael Cera for the hero role when it’s Chuck Norris who’s needed.
However unlikely it is to consider the Rogue the poster vehicle for Snowmageddon, it certainly has the goods to handle regular duties alongside its competition, the numerous other compact and mid-sized sport-utes and crossovers going about their business while providing that extra measure of traction-needed-on-snow-and-ice-covered roads.
First introduced for the 2008 model year, the Rogue has not only become a player in the highly competitive compact SUV market, it’s also the best-selling nameplate in Nissan Canada’s product portfolio. Not a standout from either a styling or performance viewpoint, the sport ute nonetheless offered functionality and value for thousands of buyers.
Completely redesigned for 2014, Nissan has upped the Rogue’s game — at least in terms of design and function. Of the former, the organic shape of the original model has been replaced by a bolder look that takes its styling cue from the larger Pathfinder — not a bad thing at all. Of the latter, there’s the addition of three-row/sevenpassenger seating, optional on the mid-level SV.
This last aspect is made likelier courtesy of a 15-millimetre increase in the new Rogue’s wheelbase as well as a 30-mm increase in height when compared with last year’s version. In addition, the rear doors have been designed with a wider opening (77 degrees) for easier entry and exit to the rear passenger area.
Keep in mind, though, the Rogue is — depending on how you care to measure it — either a large compact or a smaller mid-sized sport ute. So that back row is the refuge of kidlets only; adults attempt at their own peril. Plus, when the third row is in use, cargo room is severely compromised.
With the vehicle’s EZ Flex Seating System, though, every seat except the driver’s folds down. The front passenger seat folds rearward, allowing longer items to be carried. So, whether a five- or seven-seater model, there’s a very commodious 70 cubic feet of cargo space with the back row(s) folded.
For better or worse, Nissan stands pat in the powertrain department, continuing with the 170-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder and Xtronic continuously variable transmission that was in the previous Rogue. It’s a dutiful engine, with enough response to keep up with the flow of traffic, but it’s also one with more of an eye toward fuel economy than performance. It’s also kind of gruff under load, courtesy of the CVT, which keeps the revs at a higher constant while vehicle speed catches up.
As for fuel economy, the 12.7 litres per 100 kilometres I averaged during a week that mixed highway use with a lot of suburban commuting could be considered run of the mill for a vehicle of its size and weight (1,639 kilograms in topline SL trim).
Nissan says the Rogue’s “intuitive” all-wheel drive recognizes the difference between cruising and cornering — on-road or off — and responds accordingly. There was no deep snow available to confirm the effectiveness of the system, though the AWD proved sure-footed enough on slick roads.
The Rogue also comes with a number of new dynamic technologies, including Active Trace Control and Active Engine Braking.
The Active Trace Control system uses the Rogue’s vehicle dynamic control system to help improve cornering feel by automatically applying the brakes or smoothing engine torque characteristics while accelerating. With Active Engine Braking, the CVT helps slow the Rogue as the driver brakes, resulting in less brake effort by the driver.
The Rogue’s ride and handling is reasonable, although a little choppy on winter-ravaged streets. It does, however, benefit from the new Active Ride Control system, which helps smooth out the drive by automatically applying the brakes and adjusting engine torque after the vehicle hits a bump, reducing the typical hobby horse pitch.
If the Rogue’s vehicle dynamics are passable yet hardly inspiring, there’s compensation in the form of the five-seat SL’s inviting cabin and beaucoup creature comforts.
Up front, there’s quite a bit more wiggling-around room than was found in the firstgeneration model. And even with the front seats back in their tracks, the rear row seats — which slide and recline — will accommodate a couple of six-footers (as long as they aren’t all leg).
The front buckets, by the way, are the “zero gravity” type, similar to those in the Altima sedan, and their articulated seat shape is supremely comfortable over longer distances. The topline SL’s buckets also feature Quick Comfort heat, designed to begin warming the parts of the body most sensitive to heat immediately, such as the thighs and hips. Then, to maintain that warm, cosy feeling, the heater increases the heat level on body pressure points. Lovely!
In addition to a full list of modern conveniences, the tester was equipped with a $2,600 Premium Package, which includes a couple of very nifty features that make the Rogue a breeze to park. Key is the Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection (MOD) system, which uses four small super-wide-angle cameras mounted on the front, side and rear of the sport ute to provide a virtual 360-degree view of objects around it.
Meanwhile, the MOD provides visual and audible warnings (for the front, sides or back) if it detects moving objects within the displayed image in situations such as pulling out of a parking space.
I can’t say the Rogue blew me away in terms of overall vehicle dynamics — both the recently tested Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Santa Fe Sport provided a more satisfying driving experience. But the Nissan was very easy to live with, and it has a passel of comfort and safety features that are both appreciated and reassuring, making it a wholly reasonable consideration for those looking for a family vehicle — as long as hunting zombie snowmen isn’t part of the plan. Overview: Largish compact SUV that’s feature-rich Pros: Comfortable cabin, safety features Cons: Engine noise, choppy ride Value for money: Fair What I would change: Soften the suspension