Used 2014 Nissan Rogue Select

The 2014 Nissan Rogue Select is a simplified carryover of the previous model. With the all-new 2014 Rogue now on showroom floors, keeping the old model alive allows Nissan to offer budget-conscious buyers an affordable way to get into a smart, comfortable and capable compact SUV without breaking the bank. With a starting price just under $21,000, the Rogue Select is certainly affordable, and although it doesn’t offer much in the way of optional equipment, the Rogue Select does include a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) good for up to 28 mpg on the highway. And though newer SUVs such as the Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester have mileage estimates that break into the low 30-mpg range, you can’t get into one with an automatic transmission for less than $23,000.

Our time behind the wheel of the 2014 Nissan Rogue Select with all-wheel drive left us with mixed feelings. Nissan’s 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine is tried and true, but it’s falling behind the competition in the areas of power and fuel economy. Off-the-line acceleration feels peppy, but overtaking slower traffic or climbing steep hills can prove challenging. Helping make the most of the Rogue Select’s power is Nissan’s excellent Xtronic CVT transmission. Because many consumers still are not used to the CVT’s gearless operation, Nissan has built in artificial shift points that mimic the way a traditional 5-speed automatic would shift. Only when the throttle is held wide open does the CVT’s true nature reveal itself, holding the engine rpm steady as the vehicle accelerates. On the road, the Rogue Select’s Sentra underpinnings deliver a very car-like ride and the electric-assisted power steering returns proper feedback for accurately zipping through back road twists.

The 2014 Rogue Select’s interior is characteristically Nissan, with simple and straightforward instruments, subtle seating fabric and lots of soft-touch finishes. The Rogue Select has a terrific set of comfortable contour-forming front seats and 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 and includes an oversized glove compartment as well as a hidden cargo area behind the rear seat. The Rogue Select’s large D-pillar, however, creates a sizable blind spot for the driver.

Sharing its platform with the Nissan Sentra gives the 2014 Nissan Rogue Select 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 plastic wheel covers are quite convincing as actual 5-spoke alloys. The large, sweptback D-Pillar might not do much for visibility, but it definitely gives the Rogue Select a more sporting appearance.

REARVIEW MONITOR
Offered as part of the S Convenience package, the RearView monitor allows the driver to see objects directly behind the vehicle yet out of the sight of the rearview mirror.

XTRONIC CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION
Nobody has been doing mass produced CVT transmissions as long as Nissan and they’ve perfected the formula. The Rogue Select’s Xtronic CVT is smooth, quiet and eager to please, delivering maximum power and fuel economy.

The 2014 Nissan Rogue Select is offered in only one trim. Standard equipment includes power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, variable wipers, 60/40-split rear seatbacks, a handy under-floor storage compartment, air conditioning, remote keyless entry and a 4-speaker audio system with an auxiliary audio port. 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.

Other than all-wheel drive, the only option package for the Rogue Select is the Convenience Package that adds a 4.3-inch display audio screen, USB interface, RearView Monitor, steering wheel controls for audio and cruise control, SiriusXM, two additional speakers, Bluetooth, a rear spoiler and roof rails.

The 2014 Nissan Rogue Select 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)