FIRST DRIVE
2014 NISSAN ROGUE
—Like the compact car market in Canada, the compact crossover segment is ultra competitive. And while Nissan’s firstgeneration Rogue still lags behind 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, the 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, 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 midsized, six- or seven-passenger Pathfinder in Nissan’s crossover garage. The North American version of the foreign-market Nissan X-Trail, the Rogue uses the same all-new Nissan-Renault platform.
Despite a similar footprint to the outgoing Rogue, on sale since 2008, the 2014 model’s longer wheelbase delivers a much roomier cabin — roomy enough for Nissan to offer a pair of jump seats in the back, making it a seven-seater.
As a five-seater, the new Rogue excels. Its reclining second-row seating offers generous legroom, and the middle portion of the 40/20/40-split bench enables longer items like hockey sticks and skis. However, the third-row seats are strictly for occasional use, though extra-wide rear door openings and Nissan’s EZ Flex Seating System make it relatively easier to get to the furthest row.
Equally impressive is the roomy cabin’s functional design and fitand-finish. Compared to existing Nissan models, the extensive use of soft-touch plastics and aluminum-like trim give the Rogue a premium feeling — much nicer than rivals Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Its centre control stack is also more intuitive to use than the frustrating Ford Escape’s controls, with the Rogue’s audio and climate controls cleanly organized. Details like optional Quick Comfort heated front seats only add to Rogue’s upscale vibe.
When it arrives at Canadian dealers this 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 AWD.
With standard features like a rear backup camera, Bluetooth, handsfree text messaging, aux jack, and a USB connection port for iPods and other such devices, even the base Rogue S is competitively equipped. Options like the third-row seating, navigation, Nissan’s Around View Monitor, power liftgate, Blind Stop and Lane Departure Warning systems, and Moving Object Detection add to its premium aspirations.
While pricing won’t be announced until mid-November, Nissan Canada says moving production from Japan to the U.S. will make the new Rogue’s base price “very compelling” compared to the current model’s just-under $24,000 starting price — despite the above-mentioned upgrades.
Even with 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 will be better served in an Escape, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5 or Volkswagen Tiguan. But if priorities lie more toward a comfortable and quiet ride, the 2014 Rogue is a massive step up from its less-refined predecessor. For many buyers, “premium” translates into “technology,” and 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 stable through large road dips and undulations via a combination of automatic braking and throttle management.
The least innovative part of the 2014 Rogue lies under the hood, where you’ll find essentially a carryover 170 horsepower, 2.5-litre four with 175 pound-feet of torque, mated to a continually variable automatic transmission.
With only two people on board, the powertrain is just adequate. Mainly through tweaking the CVT and better aerodynamics, at least Nissan has managed to make the 2014 more fuel efficient. The front-wheeldrive model is rated at 7.9 L/100 km in the city, 6.0 on the highway, with AWD versions sipping only 8.2 and 6.2 respectively. Those figures beat not only the 2013 model, but also the Escape, CR-V and RAV4.
With its extra room, better fuel economy, longer list of standard and optional features, and upscale interior and driving demeanour, the 2014 Nissan Rogue goes from an afterthought to one of the segment leaders.