Picture Gallery: 2008 Nissan Rogue SL AWD | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Discuss
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Looking very much looking like a baby Murano, the Rogue is a much bubblier shape than the outgoing X-Trail. To some, this proved to be a disappointment, as the X-Trail was one of the most versatile small SUVs on the market, with a large cargo area, due to it’s boxy shape.
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The Rogue starts at $23,798 for the S FWD model; my SL AWD tester bumps the price up to $28,398. My tester also sports the premium package, which adds a further $2,300 to the price. This package includes: a power sliding glass moonroof, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a manual shift mode and paddle shifters, a 6-disc in-dash CD changer and a few other small items.
All Rogue models come with the same engine — a 2.5-litre DOHC four cylinder that produces 170hp and 175lb-ft of torque, and all Rogues are equipped with a CVT as well. The Rogue is one of the most fuel efficient compact SUVs on the market today, with an EnerGuide rating of 9.1/7.2 L/100km (city/hwy) for the front-driver, and only a slightly less efficient 9.4/7.7 L/100km rating for the all-wheel drive variant.
2008 Nissan Rogue SL AWD
MSRP as tested (including destination): $32,333
For more information on Nissan and the Rogue visit Nissan Canada
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Although the Rogue’s interior is a pleasure to look at, I am finding the comfort of the driver’s seat a little bit “off.” Offering a steering column that tilts, but does not telescope, and a rather high seating position, I find the driving position somewhat uncomfortable.
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Headroom is adequate but not very generous with the glass moonroof in my tester. If you are a driver who likes to sit up high and have a commanding view of the road, the Rogue may just be what you are looking for, though, as the seat does go very high — I keep attempting to lower it.
The rest of the interior is laid out very well, with easy to reach controls with redundant steering wheel buttons for the radio. Storage is lacking a little in the front passenger cabin, as the map pockets in the doors are very small and the centre console houses only two cupholders and a very small bin for a cell phone. There is, of course, a covered console bin as well, though.
The rear seats have plenty of leg room; cargo space behind the seats looks large but the load height is high, which reduces the overall cargo capacity given what you might expect looking from the outside. A less practical cute-ute then the outgoing X-Trail, for sure, but the Rogue is more stylish.
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In tough mud or snow — maybe in your driveway mid-winter — you could lock the AWD for better acceleration, something a lot of slip-and-grip systems do not offer.
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On the highway at 120km/h, the engine only turns 2200rpm, something usually only left to large-displacement engines. There is a small amount of wind noise on the highway but nothing out of the ordinary for a vehicle of this size, and it is quite smooth.
The Rogue’s brakes are a little on the touchy side; a little push with your baby toe and the vehicle lurches to a stop quickly, which really inspires confidence when braking and in emergency situations — or when another driver unexpectedly brakes randomly in front of you.
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If I were in this market, though, a small wagon would appeal more, with better handling, similar cargo capacity and interior room — but the Rogue does have that mini-Murano look, and on the road, it is difficult to spot the difference between the two of them.
Gas mileage over the week was stellar. I averaged 9.6L/100km: better than some small cars, better than any small SUV I have driven, and much better than anything with a V6. The Rogue had enough power, day-to-day, returned amazing fuel economy, and it gets you from A to B in comfort — if you are the right body type.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2008 Nissan Rogue SL AWD
MSRP as tested (including destination): $32,333
For more information on Nissan and the Rogue visit Nissan Canada
to our site.
October 01, 2008, 12:27:05 pm ..poor Spark resistant...........goin' ta the DOGS.....
October 01, 2008, 12:35:47 pm We almost bought an XTrail in '04, looking for a 2nd car for my family of 5. We got a Mazda MPV instead, nice to drive but it aged like a '70s Honda (front doors replaced on warranty because of rust --- at 3.5 yrs of age !!).
Wifey loved the Xtrail, but doesn't like the Rogue.
MPV is gone to another owner, now replaced by a new Nissan : a Sentra 6-speed stick, whose 1400 mm rear bench is actually wider than the Rogue's, even tough both cars share the same Renault Megane platform.
October 01, 2008, 12:37:43 pm
A serious post by Saf !!
Base Murano is 37k$-ish, and is pretty loaded.
October 01, 2008, 01:47:51 pm
While I don't doubt the new Rogue drives better and is more comfortable than the outgoing X, this family just can't downsize that far, the XTerra is too much truck, and the Quest can't match any of them in winter conditions.
I believe Nissan goofed by not bringing the new generation X-Trail to Canada. We often prefer function over form. I suppose the Made in Japan X-Trail is too expensive to produce to be as profitable as the Made in Mexico Rogue.
Incorrect, the Rogue is made in Kyūshū Japan.
October 01, 2008, 03:06:34 pm Hey BluePRINT i have 20/20 it woz $49 Loaded...............the Murano that is
October 01, 2008, 06:08:13 pm
The Xtrail was made in Kyūshū Japan as well.
In the UK they get the Qashqai which is sold as the Dualis in (Japan). The new Xtrail is the next step up in size. I'm not sure if they get the Xterra over there... it sure doesn't appear on the Nissn Japan or UK website.
For North America however, Nissan stetched the Qashqai, restyled the exterior, and came up with the Rogue. The Rogue is much closer to the XTrail in size, perhaps why they decided not to import two similar competing vehicles.
October 01, 2008, 06:09:54 pm BTW, I do own a Rogue. SL FWD, no options. I like it very much.
October 01, 2008, 10:16:59 pm I miss the old X-Trail. Plus the Americans didn't get it down there, its always nice to have something JDM thats not available in the US market.
October 02, 2008, 12:02:56 am VERY generic looking...looks like everything else out there
Someone mentioned the X-Trail - they were right...a nicer CUV by far
The X-Trail should be re-released - it's still sold outside of NA and it's even nice than the old model
October 02, 2008, 07:08:26 am I disagree the Rogue is 'generic'. Perhaps the the 'baby Murano' look... and Muranos are fairly common now. If anything, the new Murano got a similar taillight treatment so now they really are indistinguishable.
As for cargo space, although the rear hatch is more rounded you can still fit a fair bit of gear. I do agree that Nissan sacrificed some utility for the sake of styling. But I think they got many things right. The 2nd gen 2.5L motor in the Rogue is far smoother than it used to be (I had an '03 Altima previously), and the CVT does work very well.
I use mine for work everyday and haul just about everything: tools, material, and my weekend play stuff... mountain bikes, canoe, trailer. It's been great and is far more flexible/useful than my Altima ever was.
As for fuel economy, with a light foot it is very easy to achieve 8l/100km. That is just a tick off what my '03 Altima got (same 2,5L motor, 5spd manual). Drive agressively though, and the CVT will keep the rpms high and the fuel economy plummets quickly.
October 02, 2008, 07:12:19 am One thing the Rogue did right was to put the gauges in the correct location
October 02, 2008, 07:19:18 am In Europe they also have the Qashqai+2, which is a longer version of the Qashqai. The Qashqai+2 may be a clone of the Rogue, but it also seats 7 people.
October 02, 2008, 09:36:36 am
LOL
October 02, 2008, 01:13:11 pm ...Squinty....disagrees................
October 02, 2008, 06:56:03 pm At 58 cu.ft. the cargo capacity is well below the segment average of 70.
October 02, 2008, 08:00:15 pm The interior is fairly good on my 08 Sentra, but it's been rattling for quite some time now. Also, I've suffered too many niggles too early in the lease for me to rush and buy another Nissan. Shame, as the Rogue offers what I'm looking for. Mostly.
October 03, 2008, 05:45:11 am Our 08 Sentra has been flawless to date, very solid and quiet. F/E has been consistent at 41-42. If the Rogue is soft, then it's like all the rest of the Nissan, which I like instead of being jarred around with road noise like some other imports. Only the Elantra compared. Anyhow, it's a Rogue thread.....
October 03, 2008, 06:51:14 am The Rogue's suspension is actually a bit on the firm side. I do agree about the body roll, but then again this is taller vehicle. True, it is no off roader. But how many CUV's claim to be off-road worthy?
The Rogue's AWD system is actually quite sohisticated. It incorporates G sensors, steeering wheel angle, wheel speeds, etc to vary the torque split from front to rear. It also starts out in 50/50 (f/r) to help starts from a dead stop.
October 03, 2008, 07:49:44 pm couple more negatives;
1. lower towing capacity than the X-Trail
2. No manual tran. which rules me out!
and it does feel a lot smaller to me than the X-Trail
October 03, 2008, 08:02:32 pm http://www.baileycar.com/RogueRT.html
Jeremy Cato's review, taken off Phil Bailey's website.
October 04, 2008, 06:16:13 am I don't know why he states "save your pennies" for the CVT, Nissan has done well with this powertrain and certainly better than other japanese mfgs with tranny issues. As for the outboard sound, that's kind of funny, the thing people will have to learn is that you don't need to press hard on the gas to reach that cruising speed. I have done this test at red lights so many times, I take off and I'm ahead of those who were next to me and behind me and the engine reved 2100-2200 max, before I know it I'm at 80kmh.
October 07, 2008, 12:37:57 pm What's with all these Rogue haters?! This is not a pissing match to say the Xtrail was better.
If we're providing personal opinions, the Xtrail was an old design when it arrived on our shores, and showed it's age with it's boxy quirkiness, old 4 speed slushbox, and silly gimmicky interior (sliding door on a cooling compartment?) It was overpriced and uglier than an Element before Honda got smart and painted those plastic panels to the body colour. However, if you like ugly, all the more power to you.
Let's let the author of the article do his job and report on the Rogue, not the Xtrail (AKA Ex-Xtrail). I realize there are comparisons to the Xtrail, which is expected considering the Rogue is the replacement.
We have a 2003 Murano and it rocks - excellent CUV. The only better looking one IMHO is the 2009 model. Feel the love!
October 07, 2008, 02:22:51 pm uglier than an Element
There nothing uglier then an Element
October 07, 2008, 06:42:13 pm
If we're providing personal opinions, the Xtrail was an old design when it arrived on our shores, and showed it's age with it's boxy quirkiness, old 4 speed slushbox, and silly gimmicky interior (sliding door on a cooling compartment?) It was overpriced and uglier than an Element before Honda got smart and painted those plastic panels to the body colour. However, if you like ugly, all the more power to you.
Let's let the author of the article do his job and report on the Rogue, not the Xtrail (AKA Ex-Xtrail). I realize there are comparisons to the Xtrail, which is expected considering the Rogue is the replacement.
We have a 2003 Murano and it rocks - excellent CUV. The only better looking one IMHO is the 2009 model. Feel the love!
Nothing wrong with Boxiness!!
October 08, 2008, 10:24:46 am