2023 Nissan Rogue

Don't let the name fool you: the new Nissan Rogue is a placid crossover that is perfectly suited to do the school run or grocery haul. Despite its handsome looks, the 2023 Rogue is most certainly on the softer side of the highly competitive compact crossover SUV class and sports a long feature list that makes it perfect for city living. It also has a comfortable, smart interior. The Rogue sports an interesting three-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. That's adequate but falls short of some rivals like the turbocharged Mazda CX-5. Best-selling stalwarts like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V have also prevented the Rogue from finding more homes. The Rogue comes standard with a long list of safety features, but still struggles to break into the upper echelon of this class, being held back by a rather small back seat and a warranty that is comprehensively beaten by its Korean rivals. Despite that, the Rogue is good enough to deserve a place on anyone's shortlist.

The new Nissan Rogue starts off with an MSRP of $27,360 in the USA for the S. Next is the SV at $29,050 and the SL with a price tag of $33,710. The most expensive version is the Platinum at $37,140. All trims can be upgraded with AWD for an additional $1,500. These prices exclude tax, licensing, registration, and a destination charge of $1,225. The Nissan Rogue price range begins at a lower point than the Toyota RAV4, but the difference is a mere $215.

The typical car in this class offers comfortable and predictable handling, which is precisely what most ask for. And while some Nissan Rogue competitors such as the Mazda CX-5 might lean a bit more toward the sporty side, most are happy to straddle the safer line of comfort and stability. The 2023 Nissan Rogue certainly leans towards the comfy side of things; its suspension setup is forgiving and soaks up bumps in the road well enough. In the city, its light steering and nippy turbocharged engine make light work of traffic and tight spaces, and thanks to some very comfortable seats, this crossover feels relaxed on the highway too. There are various driving modes, including the default Auto and the optimistically named Sport, the latter sharpening up the throttle and adding some heft to the steering. The Rogue delivers a perfectly acceptable driving experience, and one we've come to know well in this class; not massively exciting, but capable and predictable.

For light off-roading, there are both Off-Road and Snow modes for models with AWD, but the Rogue's 8.2 inches of ground clearance will limit the obstacles you can overcome.

In a previous review of the Nissan Rogue, we were left a bit underwhelmed by its naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine, but that has since been replaced by a small 1.5-liter three-cylinder producing 201 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. That torque helps to make this Rogue feel livelier than the old 2.5-liter, especially in the mid-range. For sudden bursts of power, the engine does take a moment or two to respond, but it's a decent mill that does the job it was intended for.

The Nissan Rogue has been battling to break into the winner's circle for a while now, and it's a somewhat perplexing situation, especially when you consider the fact that the Rogue has all the ingredients needed to excel in this competitive segment. The Rogue is handsomely styled, inside and out, and the build quality and material choices are spot on, especially in the top trims. You also get an array of safety features as standard. The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder is a punchy little number that returns good fuel economy, and there's lots of trunk space. Rear-seat space is not quite as good, though, and the Rogue's transmission can be a tad slow to respond when you're in a hurry. These are not dealbreakers, though, and Nissan's little crossover remains a solid overall package.

At under $2,000 more than the base model, the SV looks like a great deal within the Rogue SUV lineup. It adds welcome upgrades like a power-adjustable driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, a better sound system, and an around-view monitor while still coming in at under $30,000 in the US. FWD or AWD will depend on your specific needs and whether the climate you live in requires the added security of sending power to all four corners. However, there is good value to be found in the other trims as well. The Platinum is certainly lavish and borders on premium in feel, but at that price, we'd rather have a more powerful and equally luxurious Mazda CX-5.