The Nissan Rogue, introduced in 2007 for the 2008 model year, has become a staple in compact crossover segment. It was last redesigned in 2021. The Rogue offers seating for up to five passengers and is available exclusively as a 4-door wagon. Competing with models like the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Explorer, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-50, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, and Volkswagen Tiguan, the Rogue attempts stand out with its innovative features and practicality.
For 2025, Rogue is available in multiple trims, including S, SV, SL, Platinum, and the new Rock Creek edition. All trims are powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. Sole transmission is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that simulates traditional gear changes during acceleration. Buyers can choose between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The Rogue also boasts a towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds across all trims.
The 2025 Nissan Rogue's pricing starts at $29,230 for the base S trim and goes up to $39,520 for the Platinum trim. Standard safety features include Nissan's Safety Shield 360 suite, which encompasses technologies like automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning. Higher trims offer additional options such as ProPILOT Assist 2.1, a hands-free driving system, and a panoramic moonroof. The Rogue also provides a range of infotainment options, from an 8-inch touchscreen on lower trims to a 12.3-inch display with premium audio on higher trims.
The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek Edition is designed for adventure enthusiasts, combining rugged styling with practical features. It stands out with its exclusive Rock Creek grille, Lava Red accents, and beadlock-style 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels paired with all-terrain tires. A black tubular roof rack adds both style and functionality, allowing for extra cargo on outdoor trips. Inside, the Rock Creek Edition features leatherette-appointed seats with contrast stitching and Rock Creek badging.
Nissan swapped in an advanced turbocharged 4-cylinder and more sophisticated continuously variable transmission in 2022 and that made a world of difference. Not only is the new powertrain more powerful, but it's significantly more refined. When pressed, the 1.5-liter turbo four will push the Rogue from 0 to 60 MPH in about 7.5 seconds. That's better than average for the compact crossover class. The engine always feels powerful and responsive and the transmission mimics traditional gear changes, avoiding the slushy experience provided by most CVT automatics.
The engine utilizes Nissan's industry-unique, variable-compression-ratio technology. In short, Nissan has devised a way to alter the engine's compression ratio on the fly by varying the connecting-rod length. The result is an engine that provides outstanding performance AND class-leading fuel efficiency.
Front-wheel drive Rogue's get a combined EPA rating of 33 MPG and all-wheel drive version get a still-impressive 31 MPG. Those numbers exceed all competitors with the exception of hybrid models. Routine suburban commuting will net an easy 30 MPG overall if you drive with a light throttle foot. Nissan says the Rogue will run fine on regular-grade gasoline and the 14.5-gallon fuel tank is good for about 430 miles of range on the highway.
Rogue's all-wheel-drive system does not have a low range and is not intended for severe off-road use. It does, however, offer several driver-selected modes including Off-road, Snow, Standard, Eco and Sport. Front-wheel drive models get a switch on the console that controls three drive modes: Sport, Standard and Eco. As is the case with most crossovers, a quality set of all-season tires are just as important, if not more so, as having all-wheel drive.
Dynamically, the Rogue offers a nice balance of on-road refinement and athleticism. The suspension combines with a stiff body structure and electric power steering system to impart a solid and refined on-road presence. Body motions are kept nicely in check and there's plenty of absorption in the suspension. Where the previous Rogue felt mushy rounding fast corners, the current model feels more confident and planted.
Still, Rogue isn't sporty in the traditional sense. The suspension can get overwhelmed in quick transitions and the tallish build tends to create a tippy feel in sudden changes of direction. The electric power steering, direct from the Nissan Sentra, has a natural feeling and proves to be quick enough at parking speeds. Brakes have good stopping power but are prone to rear lockup in hard stops.
Rogue cruises quietly, both around town and on the highway. The engine can get buzzy at times and occasionally sounds a bit gruff on cold starts.
Nissan designers crafted a modern and fresh interior that's attractive and functional. Across the model lineup materials are a cut above the class norm. Most impressive are upscale touches in the Platinum, including the digital instrument cluster, head-up display, heated rear seats, upgraded leather upholstery with quilted stitching and wireless charging pad. Rogue also offers premium-luxury items like rear-seat sun shades, heated steering wheel and butterfly center console cover. Combined, they lend an upscale air to the interior in a class where form often follows a distant second to function.
Nissan has been touting its zero-gravity seats for a while now and they are clearly a step above what's offered in most competitors when it comes to comfort and support. In addition, head and leg room are quite good. If you had to choose a compact crossover on front-seat comfort alone, the obvious winner would be the Rogue. The same can be said for the rear seats, which are both roomy and comfortable. In addition, the rear seats slide fore and aft to create more leg room or additional cargo capacity.
On the tech side, Rogue is bringing a howitzer to a knife fight and it's almost not fair. In addition to the available 12.3-inch digital dashboard, 10.8-inch head-up display and 9-inch touchscreen display, Rogue offers Google Maps and Waze integration as well as support for Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Also offered is Nissan's ProPILOT Assist, which provides all-speed adaptive cruise control with lane centering. Of course, forward-collision warning with brake mitigation, blind-spot alert, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear door alert are also available.
When it comes to storage, Rogue finds itself mid-pack. Rear seats up it offers a mediocre 36.5 cubic feet of capacity. But fold the rear seats and that number jumps to 74.1 cubic feet, among the class leaders. In addition, a unique height-adjustable cargo floor provides lots of secure small item storage. Up front there are numerous bins and cubbies. Nissan's new compact shifter also saves some space in the center console and strikes a nice balance between ease of operation and condensed design.
Bottom Line - The Rogue is polished, offers class-leading comfort, and is loaded with tech and safety features. In addition, prices are very reasonable. Of course, there are plenty of players in this class, many with similar merits. It should be noted that Rogue likely offers the best combination of features, comfort, utility and price.
