GreenBkk.com Auto | 2011 Nissan Rogue SV

2011 Nissan Rogue SV

By Joe DeMatio, David Zenlea, Amy Skogstrom

The Nissan Rogue is a competitive enough vehicle in a very competitive class, with decent steering feel, good ride quality, and sufficient power from the 2.5-liter four-cylinder, even if the continuously variable automatic transmission drones a bit much. Our test car was light blue over a gray interior, which was a somewhat somber combination. The instrument panel and center stack are also kind of drab, especially compared with the Nissan Altima coupe. At least the center stack contains a decent, small-format navigation screen. But the buttons for volume and tuning are small and fussy. There's an aura of cheapness about the radio faceplate, although the sound quality from the Bose stereo is very good. There's also a huge glove compartment. It consists not of a bin that flips down, but of a door that flips down to expose a huge cavity with a flat floor.

The rear-seat area is also pretty roomy. I sat behind myself and had plenty of room in the rear seat, but I wished for a fold-down center armrest there.

The biggest problem with this $30K Rogue is the fully loaded Kia Sportage that you could get for the same money that's far more attractive both inside and out. And if you're looking for a crossover that's a little more cheeky, although not as big as the Rogue, check out the new Nissan Juke.

- Joe DeMatio, Deputy Editor

I'm still waiting for Nissan's magic touch with niche cars to trickle into its mainstream cars. That certainly hasn't happened yet for the Rogue, which is a pretty milquetoast affair. A watered-down version of the bigger Nissan Murano's seven-year-old shape wraps around a mostly hard-plastic interior. Like Joe, I was particularly unimpressed with the functional but cheap-looking radio. Would it really break Nissan's to offer a head unit similar to what's in its higher-end cars? On a more fundamental level, can't the designers who dreamed up the Nissan Cube and Juke inject a bit of personality into this offering? That's precisely what Kia has done with the Sportage, which translates some of the best elements of the funky Soul into a more broadly appealing package.

Personality issues aside, there's not anything wrong with the Rogue. I found it effortless to drive both in town and on the highway, with decent power and quick but not twitchy steering. Yes, the CVT stinks, but the average driver likely won't be flooring the gas pedal enough to really take issue with the shop-vac like engine noise.

- David Zenlea, Assistant Editor

It's funny, I remember driving a 2010 Rogue last summer and thinking that it was a pretty smart choice for someone looking to buy a smallish crossover at a reasonable price. So I figured I'd think the same about this new 2011 model. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the price and saw that it's nudging right up against the $30,000 mark. So, what is it on this vehicle that's worth an extra $6000 over the previous Rogue we tested?

First and most obvious, the SL package, which costs almost $4000 and includes leather upholstery, the nav system, 18-inch wheels, and XM satellite radio, among other things. The other $2000 can likely be chalked up to the fact that this is an SV model (the previous Rogue we tested was the base S model.

Like with last year's model, I still feel that the Rogue fits me perfectly. I like the fact that the Rogue has a high seating position and a not too high step-in height. And all-wheel drive is always nice when the weather is crappy, as it is right now in Michigan. However, at close to $30,000 it's not quite as attractive a proposition as it is at about $24,000.

- Amy Skogstrom, Managing Editor

2011 Nissan Rogue SV

Base price (with destination): $25,270

Price as tested: $29,430

Standard Equipment:

2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine

Xtronic CVT transmission

4-wheel disc brakes with ABS

Vehicle dynamic control

Traction control system

Tire pressure monitoring system

60/40 split rear seat

Manual tilt steering column

Cruise control with steering wheel control

Steering wheel-mounted audio controls

6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system

XM satellite radio

Auxiliary/USB audio input

Bluetooth connectivity

Backup camera

Air conditioning

Power windows/locks/mirrors

Nissan intelligent keyless entry system

Options on this vehicle:

SL package -- $3850

Leather seats

Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Heated front seats and outside mirrors

Automatic climate control

Navigation system with 5-inch touch screen

XM satellite radio with NavTraffic

Bose premium audio system

7 speakers and subwoofer

Auto-dimming rearview mirror

Power sliding glass sunroof

Automatic on/off headlights

HID Xenon headlights

Fog lights

18-inch alloy wheels

All-wheel drive -- $1250

Floor mats & cargo area protector -- $185

Splash guards -- $125

Key options not on vehicle:

None

Fuel economy: 22/26/24 mpg (city/hwy/combined)

Engine:

Size: 2.5L DOHC I-4

Horsepower: 170 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque: 175 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm

Drive: Four-wheel

Transmission: CVT

Curb weight: 3479 lb

Wheels/tires: 18 x 7.0-inch alloy wheels; 225/55R18 Dunlop SP Sport 7000 all-season tires

Competitors: Honda CR-V, Toyota Rav4, Hyundai Santa Fe, Ford Escape, Jeep Patriot

Credit: Automobile Magazine (www.automobilemag.com)