2008 Nissan Rogue Review | Buyer Guide
Late Arrival Makes An Impact
Nissan was rather late getting its Rogue compact crossover SUV to market, but once it arrived, it was well received. Kiplinger’s magazine named it “Best New Small Crossover,” and Parents Magazine gave it a “Best Family Cars for 2008” award. The public has taken to the Rogue as well. Nissan has sold over 55,000 copies in the first nine months of this year. What’s even more impressive is that the Rogue competes in a very crowded segment that is dominated by the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4.
One of the reasons for its success is its styling. The Rogue looks like a junior version of the popular Nissan Murano. It features a similar jaunty upsweep to the beltline, and the corresponding narrow rear window, but its front facia is simpler, and not as expressive.
In true Nissan style, the interior is understated, though not somber, as some Nissans tend to be. The dash has a simple arrangement, with two large gauges in front of the driver, a straightforward center control panel and four circular air vents. Nissan’s designers brightened the cabin with just the right amount of brushed silver trim to please the eye. They also provided a very large glove box that will easily swallow up a women’s purse.
The Rogue seats five with ample head- and legroom. The standard seats are covered in a subtle two-tone fabric. The materials used have a quality look about them. The driver’s seat features a height adjuster to accommodate those short in stature. The cargo area behind the backseat is smaller than that of the competition, at just 24.5 cu.-ft., but you can haul an eight-foot ladder, thanks to a front seat the folds flat. Another nice feature is a popup cargo organizer makes stowing grocery bags very easy.
To power the Rogue, Nissan installed its 2.5-liter engine from the Altima sedan. It generates 170 hp, which is about average in this class. Teamed with the four-banger is a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which delivers a seamless steam of power when you hit the gas. The designers also gave the CVT a manual-shift mode so that drivers can exercise more control by shifting for themselves.
On the road, the Rogue accelerates reasonably well—0-60 in about 9 seconds. You won’t have sweaty palms merging on to the highway. The CVT transmission is very efficient, but if you haven’t driven a car with one, it may seem a little unusual at first. In the automatic mode, you keep expecting to feel shifts, but there are none.
The Rogue displays commendable road manners. This SUV feels sure-footed. The steering is responsive, and there’s not much body lean when you take a corner fast. This is a car that is relaxing to drive. It delivers a comfortable ride and is fairly quiet at highway speeds.
Nissan offers the Rogue with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Pricing starts at $19,995 for the base “S” model and $21,535 for the better equipped “SL.”
Snapshot Review
Sporty Styling
Comfortable Cabin
Good Road Manners
Small Cargo Area
