The Rogue has always been a strong seller for Nissan but didn’t always stack up well against other compact crossovers and SUVs. For 2021, the Rogue gets fully redesigned and is now a contender in this competitive segment.
Base Price: $27,340
As Tested: $31,875
Horsepower: 181
Mileage: 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway/29 mpg combined
The 2021 Rogue has a new platform, enhanced driving dynamics, more standard and available features and tech, plenty of cargo space, and what Nissan dubs the “Family hub”—an interior designed to enhance comfort and utility for all passengers.
The five-passenger 2021 Rogue comes in four trims: S, SV, SL, and Platinum. Starting prices range from $25,650 to $36,830 The base price is a bit high for the segment. Front-wheel-drive is standard and all-wheel-drive is available for $1,400.
There’s one powertrain: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Driving the Rogue is pleasant and it handles nicely, but it’s definitely not sporty. Acceleration from a stop is pokey, as is trying to speed up for merging and passing at freeway speeds. The CVT can groan when pressed. The Rogue’s new suspension makes for a composed ride, soaking up bumps and road imperfections.
The lackluster performance makes for excellent fuel economy for the class. EPA ratings for my front-wheel-drive tester are 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway with a combined rating of 29. I got 28 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
The Rogue was already known for having a nice cabin, and that’s even more true after the makeover. Materials are of good quality and most are soft-touch. The design is clean and controls are sensibly laid out. Front seats are very comfortable and supportive. The second row has enough space for even taller adults.
Standard features include a rearview camera, cloth upholstery, six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat, four-way manually adjustable passenger seat, eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, four-speaker audio system, satellite radio, Bluetooth, two USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Available features include proximity keyless entry, remote start, dual-zone and tri-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, real leather upholstery, quilted leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, four-way power-adjustable passenger seat, head-up display, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, nine-inch touchscreen, navigation, a six-speaker stereo, a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay, two rear USB ports, Wi-Fi hot spot, wireless device charging, panoramic moonroof, second-row sunshades, universal garage door opener and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, pedestrian and cyclist detection, driver attention monitoring, rear parking sensors, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Available driver assistance technologies include a surround-view parking camera system, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, ProPilot Assist, navigation-linked ProPilot, front parking sensors and traffic sign recognition.
The touchscreen looks good with sharp, colorful graphics and menus are sensibly laid out. However, the system can be slow to respond to touch and voice commands. Handy physical controls can be used for common functions such as volume, tuning and climate.
The Rogue has above-average cargo space for the class with 31.6 cubic feet with both rows of seating in place and 74.1 cubes with the second row folded. A power liftgate and hands-free liftgate are available.
The good:
Easy to drive
Good fuel efficiency
Classy cabin
Lots of room for passengers and cargo
Long list of standard and available features and tech
Easy-to-use infotainment center
Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Lackluster acceleration
CVT can be loud when pressed
Infotainment system can be slow to respond to commands
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $27,340. The SV Premium Package is $2,660 and includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated steering wheel, heated front seats, second row door sunshades, PrimaTex seats, power liftgate and power panoramic moonroof. Premium paint is $395. Floor mats and cargo area protector package are $385. Destination fee is $1,095 bringing the grand total to $31,875.
Bottom line:
The redesigned 2021 Nissan Rogue is a solid offering in the competitive compact crossover and SUV segment. It’s easy to drive, has a comfortable ride, upscale cabin, plenty of passenger and cargo space, and a long list of standard and available features and tech. It’s sure worth a look. However, there are rivals that offer all of these as well as sportier performance so shop around before making your choice.
