Used 2015 Nissan Rogue

Totally redesigned just last year, the 2015 Nissan Rogue is among the fresher compact SUVs. That’s a good thing for Nissan’s 2nd-generation Rogue, since it vies for attention among a dozen rivals that include the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape and Subaru Forester. The 2015 Rogue sets itself apart from most rivals with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), fuel economy of up to 33 mpg, stylish yet mature design, and an available – albeit cramped – 3rd-row seat. Also alluring is its sub-$24,000 starting price. As it’s based on Nissan’s comfortable Sentra sedan, the Rogue has a comfortable if ho-hum ride. Living another year is the 2015 Rogue Select, which is a less expensive, carryover version of the 1st-gen model.

The Rogue has upscale looks and feel, but its driving manners are more reserved. If it were a flavor we’d label it vanilla. That’s not necessarily a knock – many people love that kind of ice cream. The Rogue just isn’t, say, spumoni. This is due in large part to this Nissan SUV’s main ingredient, a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. With just 170 horsepower, the 2015 Rogue is among the lower-powered compact SUVs. Acceleration is adequate in ordinary driving but tepid in passing situations and on steep grades. However, Nissan’s compact utility vehicle is among the most fuel-efficient thanks to its standard Xtronic CVT transmission. Such transmissions take getting used to since they don’t have traditional gear changes, but the Rogue does an admirable job mimicking them. In other facets, this crossover SUV’s motion is well controlled, its electric-assist power steering offers good feedback, and ride quality is supple.

The 2015 Rogue’s cabin is typically Nissan, with attractively illuminated instrumentation, quality materials, soft-touch surfaces and several infotainment and connectivity features. The front seats – leather-clad in SL models – are supportive and comfortable. Front-seat legroom and headroom are good even for tall drivers, and rear-seat legroom has expanded over past models. Two-row Rogues can seat five passengers, while 3-row setups can seat seven. Nissan refers to the 3rd-row perch as “occasional seating,” but we’d lean toward "never," at least for adults. It’s extremely tight back there. Storage space is ample and includes the slick cargo-system option mentioned above.

With the new suit it slipped on last year, the 2nd-generation Nissan Rogue has a more eye-catching, sophisticated design than its predecessor (which is still available for sale as the less-expensive Rogue Select). The new Rogue stands out with bright metal trim surrounding the side windows, a distinctive V-shaped grille carrying the floating Nissan badge, and even premium-look taillights. Aerodynamics has also improved over the previous model, which contributes to better fuel economy. As a whole, the Rogue’s good looks make it a worthy little brother to the larger and also-dapper Pathfinder 3-row midsize SUV.

AROUND VIEW MONITOR
Ordinarily, keeping your head on a swivel is the best way to maneuver a car in tight confines. The Rogue’s available Around View Monitor saves you the strain by using external cameras to create a composite view of the surrounding area.

DIVIDE ’N HIDE CARGO SYSTEM
Securing odds and ends, including groceries, is always a challenge, and the Rogue’s storage option answers the challenge with an ingenious system that can be configured to accommodate all sorts of small-to-medium cargo. Available on 5-passenger models, the system provides 18 possible variations including a fold-back passenger seat.

The 2015 Nissan Rogue is available in three trims: S, SV and SL. A base S version comes with a rearview monitor, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, text-message assistant and 4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with 5-inch color display and USB and auxiliary inputs. Mid-tier SV models come with NissanConnect mobile app service, dual-zone climate control, push-button ignition, 6-way power driver’s seat, six speakers, rear privacy glass and roof rails. The top-line Rogue SL has the most features, including power liftgate, navigation system with 7-inch touch screen and voice control, the Around View monitor, leather-trimmed seats and 9-speaker Bose premium audio system.

All-wheel drive can be had on any 2015 Rogue in lieu of the standard front-drive, while 3-row/7-passenger seating is available for S and SV trims. Many of the Rogue’s other extras are bundled and vary by trim. The SV Premium package includes navigation, the Around View monitor, power liftgate, heated front seats, and safety features such as blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning and moving-object detection. At just under $1,600, the SV Premium package makes the Rogue mid-trim model a real value. The SL Premium package includes panoramic moonroof, LED headlights and forward-collision warning. Like camping? A cool accessory is the hatch tent.

The 2015 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, but as we mentioned in our Driving Impressions, is not as powerful as what’s found in many rivals. For those who need a vehicle that can tackle a variety of driving conditions and road surfaces, AWD is available and extracts only a minimal reduction in fuel economy vs. front-wheel-drive (FWD) models The Nissan Rogue’s tow rating is only 1,000 pounds. If that is important to you, know that a Jeep Cherokee is rated to tow up to 4,500 pounds.

2.5-liter inline-4
170 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
175 lb-ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/33 mpg (FWD), 25/32 mpg (AWD)