CTC Review: 2008 Nissan Rogue SL AWD

[CD_Editor]

Day 1:

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It is no GT-R, but more of a mainstream Nissan vehicle for me this week. Now, I am behind the wheel of the Nissan Rogue. My tester is an SL AWD model with the premium package.  This cute-ute was released as a new model late 2007 as a 2008 model, replacing the X-Trail in Canada as Nissan's smallest SUV.  More ...

[airbalancer]

I sat in driver seat for minute and that was enough for me
It just did not fit me

[sailor723]

I opened the hatch for a minute and looked at the cargo area...that was enough for me.

The X-trail was a more practical cute-ute

[koni]

This Rogue seems like a good crossover for an average family. However, it may feel too small for some. This vehicle is comparable in size with the CRV and RAV4. However, if lower fuel economy is what matters to you, Rogue SL 4X4 is capable of below 10L/100km. This is thanks, in part, by the CVT transmission. However, some might need to get used to its "less instantaneous" acceleration feel. The overall fit and finish is good. Again, the inside might feel too small for some.

[Craig]

Nissan called when our X-Trail lease was coming due, trying to get us into a new Rogue.  I'd seen a Rogue while waiting for an oil change, and the cargo capacity was closer to the Versa than the X-Trail.

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.

[carcrazy]

I looked at the pictures for a minute and it was enough for me; I just can’t stand the design.
Then I read the specs and saw the CVT and cargo dimensions and I realized I didn’t lose anything because I didn't like the design.
However, it appears that the Rogue does at least two things very well - best fuel economy and best acceleration out of all non-turbo 4-cylinder CUVs.

[sparky]

I HATE the Rogue. Not that it's all that awful, but it's going to keep the much more useful and attractive X-Trail out of Canada. Maybe the Americans will prefer this squatty little thing. I won't, and when my X-Trail lease is up, I'll be looking elsewhere.

[safristi]

Sparky why Not "BUY IT OUT" if'n it's so good?......on My Sunday perigrenations i happened into a Nissan dealership (CLOSED) the best time to BUY!!!!..............the ROGUE was a wee bit "rougeish" BUT the two X-Trails  (2004 models) on the resale lot were way bigger,but as has been said kinda "ELEMENT" al in design and interior...way more useful for an active/sportiv family and $10K cheaper USED.......The new Murano was $49K !!! WDF..they are $15K 3.5 years OLDE!!!...i imagine the Versa SL would be a better expenditure for most ROGUE wannabees...............

[sparky]

Hey, Saffy,
The buyout number on my lease is not favourable, and my needs have changed. Even the roomy X-Trail is strained by my 2 1/2 dogs and mountains of cottage supplies. My wife just bought herself a minivan, and Lord help me, I like it.

[safristi]

..poor Spark resistant...........goin' ta the DOGS..... ...well yer better off without wifey.....how old is the miniman. .............

[Blueprint]

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.

[Blueprint]

Sparky why Not "BUY IT OUT" if'n it's so good?......on My Sunday perigrenations i happened into a Nissan dealership (CLOSED) the best time to BUY!!!!..............the ROGUE was a wee bit "rougeish" BUT the two X-Trails  (2004 models) on the resale lot were way bigger,but as has been said kinda "ELEMENT" al in design and interior...way more useful for an active/sportiv family and $10K cheaper USED.......The new Murano was $49K !!! WDF..they are $15K 3.5 years OLDE!!!...i imagine the Versa SL would be a better expenditure for most ROGUE wannabees...............

A serious post by Saf !! 

Base Murano is 37k$-ish, and is pretty loaded.

[Altima1]

Nissan called when our X-Trail lease was coming due, trying to get us into a new Rogue.  I'd seen a Rogue while waiting for an oil change, and the cargo capacity was closer to the Versa than the X-Trail.

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.

[OBOLINE]

Hello all,

I drive an 08 Rogue SL AWD fully loaded. Before that, we had an 05 X-trail LE also fully loaded. As much as I loved the X-Trail, the Rogue is a much better vehicule. Fit and finish, handling, fuel economy, nicer looking ( debatable ) ... We have two babies, meaning two car seats, two strollers.  and honestly the Rogue fits the bill. Never had any problems with the cargo capacity, it looks smaller than the X-Trail but you'll be surprised how much it can swallow. On the negative side; blind spot, harsher ride than X-Trail ( but better handling ). As for the CVT, I didn't like it at first, but trust you'll get uset to it, it's so smooth...

OBOLINE

[safristi]

Hey BluePRINT    i have 20/20 it woz $49 Loaded...............the Murano that is

[Philip]

Incorrect, the Rogue is made in Kyūshū Japan.

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.

[Philip]

BTW, I do own a Rogue.  SL FWD, no options.  I like it very much.

[RPM]

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.

[Calbrez]

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

[Philip]

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.