Attractive design, efficient powertrain, but bland handling
Price From $27,875 – To $37,655
Source: www.nissanusa.com
by SUViews Editor | Mar 25, 2022
Overview
The demand for small-size family SUVs is not going to decline anytime soon. Keeping this in mind, Nissan has created this new and innovative SUV to please its target audience. In this 2022 Nissan Rogue review, we will go over this compact sports utility vehicle and analyze its engine, performance, safety features, tech features, and pricing, to help you make an informed decision.
Back in 2008, this model was released with such an inexpressive design that its name was almost a joke. Nevertheless, it featured enough niceties to qualify as a competitive small family hauler in the SUV era we are going through. Over the years, Nissan managed to continuously evolve it, whether by making its equipment list even more interesting or by making its design interesting to attract a wide customer base.
The second generation debuted in 2014 and brought a stronger visual identity, although still hiding a family-oriented character. Four years later, the company’s decision to bring the European Qashqai caused a small plot twist: by offering it as Rogue Sport in North America, it freed the original Rogue to follow different paths. Now, the third generation arrived in 2021 as the result of those changes.
The 2022 Nissan Rogue now takes after the company’s SUV lineup rather than the urban one. That is the reason for its handsome rugged design. Besides that, since even pickups and SUVs are finally embracing fuel-efficient engines, the compact SUV does its part by recently having adopted a tiny 1.5L engine with some innovative technologies that make it a compelling option in its segment.
Performance, Engine, and Comfort
The recent complete redesign did wonders for the 2022 Nissan Rogue. Not only did the model catch up with the segment’s standards, but also helped it stand out in some aspects. The most relevant of them is fuel efficiency, with a downsized engine packed with innovative technologies, and safety, where the typical suite of electronic assists appears in a large number even at the base trim level.
Engine & Performance
The fact that there are so many compact SUVs available in the market forces automakers to follow some standards in order to sell well. While those made the previous Rogue quite successful years ago, they have changed since its debut and now it is time for the model to catch up. The downsized engine, the efficient transmission, and the improved handling are interesting results of that action.
Engine and gear
Even though the Rogue was redesigned last year, it has already received a new engine. The old 2.5L has been replaced by a turbocharged 1.5L unit which stands out in the crowd thanks to the technology of variable compression ratio. It makes 201 hp of power and 225 lb-ft of torque and is only paired to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Suspension
While there are no highlights regarding the mechanical parts, the Rogue has been complimented for its good suspension tuning: it behaves better on twisty roads than the average of its category.
Handling
While it is difficult for SUVs in general to offer truly good handling, the Rogue has been praised by the specialized press for its direct steering. That is particularly important at high speeds because it increases the feeling of control over the car.
Vibration
Competent behavior considering the category’s standards. The engine is quiet and well-isolated, so the vibration that reaches the cabin is low even when the car is riding at high RPMs.
Ride
Once again, this model deserves compliments. Body movements are controlled and do not transmit excessive smoothness. Specialized tests have found a similar behavior to that of its main rivals.
Safety & Reliability
Brakes
All trim levels use vented disc brakes on all wheels and are equipped with an anti-lock braking system, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, and emergency parking brake.
Airbags
The base equipment list includes dual-stage front and knee airbags for driver and front passenger, and seat-mounted airbags for all passengers. Upscale trim levels add a front-center supplemental airbag.
Electronics
Cruise control, forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are some of the standard items offered in the 2022 Nissan Rogue. The top trim levels bring upgraded versions of some of them and add others such as traffic sign recognition, “lane intervention”, and sonar system.
Lights
The entire external lighting system is made with LEDs here. The headlights have some automated functions and, if you opt for more expensive versions, you can also get LED fog lights.
Traction control
At the base trim, the Rogue offers front-wheel drive, and drive mode selector with Eco and Sport modes. High-end trims replace the former with “intelligent AWD” and add the Snow and Off-road modes.
Fuel Economy
Once again, being modern helped the 2022 Nissan Rogue. The downsized engine has its output enhanced by a brand new technology capable of varying the compression ratio, which means it is possible to go further when it comes to offering economical and sporty driving modes. Still, we are living in times when not offering an option of electrified powertrain is becoming a problem.
Engine size
The only engine available is a three-cylinder 1.5L engine with a turbocharged engine which makes 201 hp of power and 225 lb-ft of torque. While the performance figures are not surprising, it is interesting to know that they come from Nissan’s variable compression ratio technology.
In short, there is a mechanism to change the upper limit where the pistons go; the practical use is to change compression ratios according to the driving mode selected by the driver.
Gas per mileage consumption
The EPA informs that this model makes 30 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.
Interior
Driving seat
Here, the driver is going to enjoy a digital instrument cluster (exclusively on the Platinum trim), a squared-off shift knob, and a bi-level dashboard that keeps commands close. There are also available heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
Dashboard
The bi-level design mentioned above makes it easy to use both the 8” or 9” infotainment screen and the few physical commands that lie below it. The Platinum trim adds a 12.3” screen for the digital instrument cluster, a 10.8” virtual screen for the heads-up function, and wireless charging.
Passenger seats and extras
Besides the tasteful two-tone design, passengers in the 2022 Nissan Rogue have several storage areas in convenient regions, standard cloth upholstery which can be upgraded to faux-leather or genuine leather according to the trim level, and three-zone automatic climate control.
Overall height and space
The 2022 Nissan Rogue has an overall height of 66.9 inches and a passenger volume of 105.4 ft³ which drops to 100.4 ft³ in case yours has a sunroof. It takes up to five occupants in two seat rows.
Trunk space
The initial volume is 36.5 ft³. If you fold down the rear seats, it increases to 74.1 ft³. Then again, if you order your Rogue with a sunroof, both volumes have small decreases.
Price and Extras
Just like many of its competitors, the 2022 Nissan Rogue offers several trim levels in order to reach an attractive base price, but only the upscale one is really interesting. Unfortunately, since it also comes at a high price, potential buyers have to take their time and analyze the equipment lists on the intermediate ones to find a cost-efficient solution.
Market Price
The 2022 Nissan Rogue is available in the following trim levels:
| Trim level | Base price |
| S | $27,875 |
| SV | $29,565 |
| SL | $34,225 |
| Platinum | $37,655 |
All those trim levels only differ in the equipment lists, whether standard or optional. Platinum has the most interesting additions, but it is considered too expensive by the specialized press.
AWD/FWD
The standard setup is front-wheel drive. However, all trim levels can be equipped with Nissan’s “intelligent all-wheel drive”.
Warranty
Nissan’s warranty plan follows the category’s standard: the limited coverage is of three years or 36,000 miles while the powertrain coverage is of five years or 50,000 miles. There is no complimentary scheduled maintenance.
Verdict
The imposing design, the cutting-edge electronics, and the attractive safety package are hardly enough to consider the 2022 Nissan Rogue an innovator. Now, if you already know what is offered in its market segment, opting for it will give you what you want plus some unexpected nice touches.
