Why should you choose the Nissan Rogue?

There are so many compact SUVs! So why would you choose the Nissan Rogue over all the others?

In years past, I would have noted its ultra-cramped, emergency use optional third-row as a theoretical positive, but it’s no longer offered. Also, the 2019 Rogue has been around since 2014, so the bad news is the model is a little dated, but by now, Nissan should have worked out all of the kinks.

First, it’s right-size, not so large that it’s difficult to park but big enough to carry people and cargo easily. Luggage space behind the second row peeks at 39.3-cu.ft. With a long reach, you can drop the seat from the vehicle’s rear, creating a 70 cu-ft cargo hold. The wide opening side doors and an available foot-activated liftgate simplify access to that cargo.

One handy feature is the standard divide-and-hide cargo system which Nissan claims has 18 different positions, which you can see below. That is probably not all of them, but I did the best that I could.

You can fold the front passenger seat flat for even more cargo flexibility, allowing six feet linear feet of whatever you want to carry. Think full Christmas tree or small couch. There’s comfortable seating in both rows for hauling, plus great head and legroom. Nissan came close to perfecting the human/cargo space ratio. The second row slides and reclines but only in the standard Rogue. If you buy the hybrid, this baby is fixed.

The cabin delights with generally excellent materials, soft-touch points in key locations, a nifty fold-down armrest/pass-through for carrying long items, and standard rear vents. The Toyota RAV4 only recently discovered exotic luxury, but the Nissan Rogue revels in it. However, we will have to subtract a few points for uneven front armrests.

One prime reason to choose the Nissan Rogue is a standard safety roster that includes lane departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and blind-spot warning. Good thing because there is a blind spot that adds a dash of adventure to lane changes. All Rogues also include a rear door alert which reminds the driver to check for forgotten items in the back seat. You know, dry cleaning, groceries, or for that terrible parent that never fails to forget their phone but needs help to remember their baby.

The Rogue is comfortable and reasonably quiet but not particularly focused on performance. Not that it needs to be. Most people will appreciate the light steering efforts and low-speed agility afforded by its variable electric assist. More noteworthy than the steering, though, is the Rogue’s powertrain. Its standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine makes good if not class-leading power, but it’s paired with a dissatisfying continuously variable transmission featuring Normal, Sport, and Eco modes. Unfortunately, I’ve wasted too much of my life complaining about continuously variable transmissions. So instead, I’m going to let the car speak for itself.

The payoff for all that CVT groaning and wailing is commendable fuel economy. Add the all-wheel-drive system and each of those numbers drops by one MPG. Choose the S trim, and your Nissan Rogue will include six airbags, cruise control, a semi-dated seven-inch touchscreen that semi redeems itself with Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration. Our S trim 2019 Rogues have a price starting around $19,000.

Higher Rogue trims indulge with a panoramic moonroof, leather upholstery, navigation, Bose premium audio, intelligent access with push-button start, heated seats, automatic rear braking, and Nissan‘s oft duplicated 360 view monitor. It’s a handy tool for lazy, incompetent, or willfully terrible drivers. Perfect for that teenage driver you are shopping for.

Sounds like a BuzzFeed article.

Rounding out the options is ProPilot Assist, a system that automatically keeps the vehicle in its lane at a preset distance from the vehicle ahead. Even more good news for all those terrible drivers. The SV trim offers several additional features for only a slight price increase. So if all you want is an inoffensive SUV that’s the right size, filled with standard safety features, and you can get one at a reasonable price, the Nissan Rogue might be the play.

Tags: 2019, compact suv, nissan, rogue
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