Nissan has mildly refreshed the Rogue for the 2011 line-up while we wait for the next generation to arrive. The top-selling CUV segment is already overcrowded so it was good to see a slightly refreshed Rogue from Nissan.
Nissan has always targeted a more mature audience with the Rogue and 2011 Rogue is no different. The new grille blends well with the front fascia while larger fog lights give it a meaner look. The new chrome side strips along with the door handles give it a subtle look and the all new 17-inch wheels really put a mature touch to the Rogue. We really think Nissan has done a fair job with refreshing the exterior because it really doesn’t make sense to put more effort into a model that will be refreshed soon anyways.
The real bang for the buck comes from the interior of the Rogue which feels larger than it appears from outside. We were truly amazed by how spacious the interior was and we were able to sit 4 adults very comfortably. The seats are comfortable and solid with good back support. We thought the interior was OK considering the price bracket this vehicle is competing in. Our press vehicle came in the SV trim so we were able to enjoy all the options like Navigation system with rear view camera, Bluetooth hands-free link, power mirrors, XM-satellite radio to name a few. With the price range it is competing in, we think that the SV trim really provides more features than many of the competitors.
One of the major criteria for most CUV buyers is the amount of cargo space their vehicle can handle. Rogue really excels on this front by providing about 50+ cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats folded.
Nissan Rogue is equipped with the 2.5 liter four cylinder engine that pushes 170 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque mated to Nissan’s well known CVT transmission in either Front or All-Wheel-Drive configuration. We were again impressed by Nissan’s CVT and the Rogue was very smooth on both the freeways and inner city roads. Nissan states that the Rogue is good for 28mpg on the highway and 22mpg in the city which we found to be true. Our tester was pushing close to 30mpg during the drives on Interstate 75.
So what did we really think about our week long stay with the Rogue? It is a great CUV for the price given the amount of CUV you are getting. It is a really smooth riding vehicle that sits 4-5 adults comfortably while hauling enough cargo along. It provides a hybrid like fuel efficiency and has the fully-independent suspension that provides a more car-like handling. We think Nissan’s mildly refreshed Rogue is a nice bargain in this overly crowded CUV Segment.
