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- 2013 Nissan Rogue
Overview
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2013 Nissan Rogue Review
What's New for 2013
Interior
By KBB.com Editors
KBB Expert Rating:
Based on Nissan's popular Sentra sedan, the 2013 Nissan Rogue is a compact SUV designed to stand out from the competition by way of its curvaceous carlike styling and class-exclusive in-vehicle technology. Similar to the venerable Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape, the Nissan Rogue is powered by a thrifty 4-cylinder engine, offers an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system and starts under $24,000. The 2013 Rogue is also one of the only vehicles in the segment to feature a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which bolsters both fuel economy and power output. By incorporating a satisfying blend SUV, sedan and wagon DNA, the versatile 5-passenger Nissan Rogue can accommodate a wide variety of unique uses.
You'll Like This Car If...
If the boxy look of traditional SUVs leaves you uninspired, the Nissan Rogue's shapely, sculpted exterior might be the answer you are looking for. Admirable fuel economy, affordable pricing and premium options combine to make the Nissan Rogue one of the most appealing small SUVs on the market.
You May Not Like This Car If...
If you believe practicality and power should never be mutually exclusive, the V6 Toyota RAV4 or EcoBoost-equipped Ford Escape will get your heart racing. And while the Rogue's comparatively low starting price appears attractive on the surface, most competitors offer additional standard equipment for a marginal price increase.
What's New for 2013
With an all-new model scheduled to hit showrooms in mid-2013, the Nissan Rogue gets only a handful of updates for the 2013 model year. A new Premium Edition package replaces last year's Premium Package, while the carryover Special Edition Package now includes Bluetooth connectivity and a 6-speaker audio system.
Driving the Rogue
Driving Impressions After spending the better part of a week in a 2013 Nissan Rogue SV with all-wheel drive, we came away with mixed feelings. The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine felt adequately peppy,...
but when we needed that extra burst of power for passing or climbing elevations, it just wasn't there. Nissan's Xtronic CVT transmission proved smooth and consistent, and definitely made the most of the little engine's powerband while returning good fuel economy. Although the CVT is a gearless transmission, Nissan engineered artificial shift points that mimic a conventional transmission. The only time the CVT's true nature is revealed is during wide-open throttle. In this condition, the CVT holds the engine's rpm steady as the vehicle accelerates, creating a loud and somewhat harsh engine note. On winding back-country roads we found the 2013 Nissan Rogue quite happy to play, with good feedback through its electric power-assisted steering. Body lean and bounce were also quite carlike, an attribute we chalk up to the Rogue's Nissan Sentra underpinnings.
Favorite Features
AROUND VIEW MONITOR
Until recently, keeping your head on a swivel was the best way to successfully parallel park a car. By utilizing a series of external cameras to create a composite view of the vehicle's surroundings, the Nissan Rogue's available Around View Monitor gives you eyes on the back – and side – of your head.
XTRONIC CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT)
Nissan is one of the few automakers to still embrace and refine CVT technology, and this 2nd-generation transmission is incredibly smooth and provides the 2013 Rogue with decent performance as well as laudable fuel economy.
2013 Nissan Rogue Details
Interior
The 2013 Rogue's interior is characteristically Nissan, with simple and straightforward instruments, subtle seating fabric and lots of soft-touch finishes. The Rogue has a terrific set of comfortable contour-forming front seats, which are heated and covered in quality leather on SL models. Front-seat legroom is good for tall drivers, as is headroom. Unfortunately, the rear-seat passengers don't have the same luxury, especially when the front seats are pushed all the way back. Storage space is ample in the little Nissan Rogue and includes an oversized glove compartment as well as a hidden cargo area behind the rear seat If we have one gripe with the Rogue's design, it's the large D-pillar that, while creating a cool and sporty exterior look, creates a sizable blind spot for the driver.
Exterior
Sharing its platform with the Nissan Sentra Sedan gives the 2013 Nissan Rogue the ride and handling of a car in the body of small SUV. The distinctive front grille and lower air intakes bear a slight resemblance to the larger Nissan Murano, and the alloy wheels and chrome door skirts seem to take after Nissan's performance-oriented Maxima and 370Z. SV trims get bigger wheels and tires, as well as additional exterior enhancements including chrome exhaust outlets, roof rails and rear privacy glass.
Notable Equipment
Standard Equipment
In base form, the 2013 Nissan Rogue S includes a multi-information display, 60/40-split rear seatbacks, a handy under-floor storage compartment, and a 4-speaker audio system with an auxiliary audio port. SV models add a power-adjustable driver's seat, premium fabric seating surfaces and a 6-speaker audio system with a 4.3-inch full color display and a USB port for portable music players. As is the case with most Nissan models, the Rogue's steering wheel does not include a telescoping function. Standard safety equipment is comparable to most other small SUVs, but not exceptional.
Optional Equipment
With the majority of feature content bundled into packages, Bluetooth and all-wheel drive are the only individual options available for the 2013 Nissan Rogue. S models offer a Special Edition Package comprised of 16-inch alloy wheels, a mid-grade audio system a 4.3-inch color display, and a rear backup camera. Available on SV trims, the SL Package includes 18-inch alloys, navigation, a Bose premium audio system, Nissan's exclusive Around View Monitor, and leather seats.
Under the Hood
The 2013 Nissan Rogue is powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine matched to an Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) that is well-suited for everyday driving. For those who need a vehicle that can tackle a variety of driving conditions and road surfaces, opting for all-wheel drive results in only minimal reductions in fuel economy.
2.5-liter inline-4
170 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
175 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/28 mpg (front-wheel drive), 22/26 mpg (AWD)
Pricing Notes
A base front-wheel-drive 2013 Nissan Rogue S has a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of around $23,000. A fully-loaded SV version outfitted with all-wheel drive comes in just over $30,000. Comparably-equipped Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage models are slightly less expensive, while the 2012 Toyota RAV4 and the 2013 Honda CR-V share a similar pricing structure with the Rogue. Our Fair Purchase Price located at the bottom of this page shows what consumers in your area are paying for their Nissan Rogues, so be sure to give it a look before heading to the dealership. Over time, the Rogue is expected to retain better resale values than the Ford Escape, but lag behind the Tucson, Sportage, RAV4 and CR-V.
To compare current market prices, check out KBB.com's car classifieds to view the new and used Nissan Rogue vehicles for sale near you.
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2013 Nissan Rogue Consumer Reviews
Based on 271 Ratings for the 2008 - 2013 models.
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ValueQuality
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ReliabilityPerformance
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ComfortStyling
Wouldn't own another if it was free
By JSteele (OK) on Friday, June 07, 2013
I owned and sold this car
Reason: Transmission failed - My approximate mileage is 20,000
Reviewer Ratings
- Overall Rating
- Value
- Reliability
- Quality
- Performance
- Styling
- Comfort
Cons: "Transmission"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1
"The transmission in these cars are horrible. The CVT went out on us on the only road trip we took in it. Towed it to Nissan dealer who said it would be several days before they could look at it because they were so backed up with transmission issues. Being several hours from home I had it towed directly to the GM dealer and traded it with the bad transmission on a new Yukon. My inlaws also had a nissan with the CVT. Same thing, it went out shortly after they got it. Nissan has really went down hill."
1 person out of 1 found this review helpful
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Excellent value.
By Mike (OH) on Monday, June 03, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 22,000
overall rating 10 of 10rating detailsReviewer Ratings
- Overall Rating
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- Reliability
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Pros: "Dependable, Great all round veh, Great dealership,"
Cons: "none so far"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10
"My Nissan Rogue was leased for 3 years in August 2010. It has 22,000 trouble free miles. I intend to buy this car at the end of the lease. It is a dependable little work horse. Plenty of power for effortless passing. Very stable in slippery conditions. The ride is comfortable. Better than my wife's CRV. Handles easily, corners like a race car. Very quick and responsive. Lots of room inside for camping gear, my large dog, etc. I have bought dozens of vehicles in my lifetime. Yhis is my first Nissan. I'm pretty sure this is the best one so far."
2 people out of 2 found this review helpful
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Don't buy this car
By Hatemyrogue on Sunday, May 12, 2013
I owned and sold this car - My approximate mileage is 3,000
overall rating 1 of 10rating detailsReviewer Ratings
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Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1
"I bought this car because I always liked the look and for a quick test drive it was what I was looking for. Well, fast forward a few months and the car caused me to have a ton of back pain. Literally had to drive completely upright because steering wheel is not telescopic and overall interior is not ergonomic at all. I just got rid of it and flushed a few thousand dollars down the drain because I literally couldn't stand it anymore. I run cars into the ground and keep them forever and I got rid of this with 3k miles on it. Don't waste your money!!"
8 people out of 18 found this review helpful
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Great mid-sized SUV
By Hula (NC) on Wednesday, May 08, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 44,500
overall rating 10 of 10rating detailsReviewer Ratings
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Pros: "Awesome stero speakers, great gas mileage"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9
"I bought this used and am very happy with the purchase. Terrific gas mileage compared to other SUV's and car is perfect mid-size. Would love Ipod hookup rather than aux port"
2 people out of 4 found this review helpful
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So glad I bought this car
By Miss Pat (PA) on Saturday, April 27, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 28,209
overall rating 10 of 10rating detailsReviewer Ratings
- Overall Rating
- Value
- Reliability
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- Styling
- Comfort
Pros: "fun to drive, easy to park, has good pick up"
Cons: "no daytime running lights"
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10
"Pros: Fun to drive - easy to park - lots of room inside, especially when back seat is put down flat plus passenger's side seat - good mileage - easy on gas - takes the corners like a sports car - good pick up in traffic - love the heated front seats in the winter Cons: No daytime running lights; doors unlock automatically when engine turned off - this could be a safety factor in a dark parking lot at night - lock control on driver's door not illuminated at night - must turn on interior light to lock the doors - this may be a safety factor at night in a dark parking lot"
4 people out of 5 found this review helpful
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MPG sinificantly less than advertised.
By Larry (MI) on Wednesday, April 17, 2013
I own this car - My approximate mileage is 6,000
overall rating 1 of 10rating detailsReviewer Ratings
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- Styling
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Pros: "Looks nice"
Cons: "Lousy MPG, bad visibility, tinny construction."
Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1
"Advertised at 22 - 27. I am getting 18 - 20. Nissan rep had the gall to ask me if I drive with my foot on the brake. Not much storage. Tinny construction. Bad visibility due to window frames. I leased it - got roped in by incentives and lease payment. How can I break my lease?"
4 people out of 7 found this review helpful
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