The Nissan Rogue is pretty good at most of the things you want in a small crossover or SUV. Problem is, this segment is so competitive that pretty good isn’t always good enough to top the list. Still, the Rogue has many fans. In fact, the Rogue is the best-selling compact crossover/SUV in the U.S. for the first quarter of this year.
The Rogue was redesigned for the 2014 model year and gets refreshed for 2017 with some exterior and interior tweaks. It’s available in S, SV and SL trims. 2017 also marks the debut of a gas-electric hybrid which is available in SV and SL trims. Starting prices for the gas powered Rogue range from $23,820 to $31,710. Starting prices for the hybrid range from $26,240 to $32,510. It’s available with front-wheel or all-wheel-drive.
The perennial question for the hybrid version is if the improved fuel efficiency is worth the higher cost.
On the outside, the Rogue Hybrid looks very similar to the regular Rogue except for the Pure Drive HEV exterior badging. The hybrid seats five passengers.
The hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a 30 kW electric motor and lithium-ion battery. The gas engine makes 141 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque. The electric motor generates 40 hp and 118 lb.-ft. of torque. The net power is 176 hp. The hybrid system has Nissan’s Intelligent Dual Clutch Control system. The transmission is a CVT.
The switch between electric and gas power operates smoothly, as does the automatic stop-start system. The regenerative braking is what you’d expect in a hybrid.
The Rogue Hybrid is fine for getting you from point A to point B. But performance overall is pretty lackluster. Acceleration can feel pokey and you may wish for more oomph when trying to pass at freeway speeds. At least the ride is comfortable and pretty smooth. Steering is responsive and the Rogue’s fairly small size makes it easy to maneuver in city traffic and in cramped parking lots, and the surround view camera system is handy for when you want to fit into tight spaces.
The hybrid has an HEV gauge added to the driver display and there’s also a Vehicle Sound Generator that makes beeps when driving under all-electric power.
EPA mileage estimates for my AWD hybrid are 31 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with a combined rating of 33 mpg. I got 32 during my week with a mix of city and highway driving. Nissan says the Rogue Hybrid AWD will save you $1,500 in fuel costs over five years. The FWD hybrid gets 33 mpg city and 35 mpg highway with a combined rating of 34 mpg.
The interior has been updated for 2017 and now has a much more upscale look and feel. Many materials are soft-touch. Controls are logically laid out. The cabin is also quieter than before. Passengers in both rows of seating will have good leg- and headroom.
The infotainment system is easy to figure out but it doesn’t always respond quickly. AppleCarPlay and Android Auto are not available, but it’s still easy to integrate your smartphone with the Nissan software.
The hybrid has less cargo space than the regular Rogue due to the battery pack taking up room in the cargo space. The hybrid has 61.4 cubic feet of storage, compared to 70 cubes for the gas-powered Rogue. The rear seats split 60/40 and there’s a storage space under the back cargo area.
The good:
Upscale and comfortable cabin
Excellent fuel efficiency for the class
Lots of options are available but they quickly send the price higher
The not-so-good:
Lackluster performance
Have to bump up to upper trims to get many driver assistance tech features
AppleCarPlay and Android Auto are not available
Less cargo room than in the gas-powered Rogue
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $32,510. The SL HEV Package is $1,520 and adds a power panoramic moonroof and Forward Emergency Braking. Premium paint is $395. Floor mats and cargo area protector are $225. Deliver fee is $940 bringing the grand total to $35,590.
Bottom line:
The Nissan Rogue does a lot of things well, and the Hybrid gives crossover buyers a greener option. But there are several rivals that offer better driving dynamics and are better equipped, so you’ll have to decide if the improved fuel efficiency is worth it.
