Rogue is worth a look or two
It wasn't difficult to enjoy my time with the 2008 Nissan Rogue, the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada's best new CUV/SUV under $35,000.
With seven highly-competitive entries like the Mitsubishi Outlander and Saturn Vue Green Line (both runner-ups), plus the Saturn Outlook XE, Ford Escape Hybrid, Jeep Liberty and Patriot models, picking a favourite was no easy task. In fact, after tallying up my own scores for the bunch, I had both runner-ups on top and the Rogue tied at the bottom with the Patriot.
At Test Fest, back-to-back-to-back comparisons are the emphasis. Each test lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes and includes driving prescribed routes on local roads and, in this category's case, navigating through a short man-made off-road cottage trail in Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON. After casting our ballots, KPMG (the accounting firm) audits the results and then applies some mathematical formulas to come up with the top three scores in each category.
By virtue of winning its category, Rogue now has the potential to claim the Canadian Crossover Utility Vehicle of the Year title at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto this February. While I stand by my Test Fest scores, this illustrates that sometimes the short amount of time we have to spend with these new vehicles just isn't enough to appreciate and experience them fully under a wide variety of conditions.
Having recently had a whole week to put this Rogue SL AWD model ($34,898 as tested) through its paces, I've come away with a much greater appreciation for this cool utility vehicle.
Looking strikingly similar to the up-range Murano, the smaller, lighter, more economical 2008 Nissan Rogue comes in four different trim levels starting at $24,998 for the basic S FWD model.
Standard features include the Xtronic CVT, four-wheel vented disc brakes with ABS, stability control, 16 inch wheels, 60/40 fold-down rear bench, A/C, power windows and locks, heated power mirrors, cruise control, tire pressure monitoring, auxiliary input jack (for connecting portable music players), remote keyless entry, plus front, side seat and side curtain airbags.
What impressed me most during my second go-round with the Rogue is its most roguish feature. The Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) didn't really get my attention on the boring flat and straight roads in Niagara-on-the-Lake, but it really shined on my usual test routes (a mix of urban, suburban and rural roads) near home.
The steering wheel paddle shifters are simply brilliant on this application! In cahoots with the proven QR25DE 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 170-hp and 175-lb.-ft. of torque, manual shift mode gives drivers more control over the powerband. The paddle shifters make the Rogue a lot of fun to drive and should be standard on all trims.
Power distribution in Rogue's all-wheel drive system is 50/50 front to rear on starts. Once underway the front wheels almost completely take over. The electric power rack and pinion steering system provides excellent on-centre feel and great feedback for the driver. A front independent strut and rear independent multi-link suspension with stabilizer bars at both ends contribute to the Rogue's car-like handling and ride characteristics.
The Rogue's rated fuel economy of 9.5 and 7.7 L/100 km (city/highway) is just ordinary. I averaged 10.7 L/100 km on the 170 km-long trip I did record.
Traction control and vehicle dynamic control (VDC) are both standard on the Rogue. The latter system measures yaw, wheel slip and steering angle constantly so it knows when to intervene and help regain control from a skid, for instance. With AWD, VDC helps redistribute torque front to rear and, for even more robust performance, I found that turning it off will tell the transmission to hold gears longer before shifting. So, instead of upshifting automatically at 6,000 rpm, it'll wait until 6,500 rpm – useful for passing and maintaining your speed while ascending/descending steep hills, for example.
To get the wonderful paddle shifters and manual shift mode, however, you need to purchase the optional premium package for $2,300. It also adds fog lights, power glass sunroof, interior accent lighting, six-disc in-dash CD changer with MP3/WMA playback capability and illuminated steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, multi-function trip computer and tow hitch pre-wiring. A collapsible rear cargo floor organizer (which deletes a full-size spare) and rear cargo cover are also included along with a fold-flat front passenger seat, centre console with dual-level tray and more. My test mule was fully loaded, so check out the 'Fact File' for more details.
With the rear seats folded forward, the 818-litre (approx. 29 cu.-ft.) rear cargo space is larger than it looks and able to swallow up a fully-assembled bathroom vanity my mom and I picked up for her condo. The floor is a bit high for my taste and I would have preferred the rear bench to disappear into the floor (at least a bit) instead of adding an upward slope to it - lightweight up-swinging tailgate and optional cargo area organizers make up for this somewhat; however, the fact that the carpeting on the rear seatbacks is prone to coming unfastened, the task of sliding large and/or heavy objects into the vehicle can be a tricky two-person ordeal.
That said, the interior is functional, roomy and comfortable for four full-size adults, plus all their weekend gear and supplies. As a family vehicle, the Rogue has a nice blend of performance and functionality that would make it a nice addition to most households.
The new Rogue joins a segment chock full of highly-competitive compact Canadian crossovers. Consumer choice will ultimately dictate how well it does in the marketplace, but with a good amount of standard features and fair price it's poised to do well.
It's definitely worth a second look... I would know.
Fact file
2008 Nissan Rogue SL AWD
MSRP range: $24,998 - 29,598
As tested (before tax): $29,598
Options: Leather package ($4,600) includes 8-speaker Bose audio system with AM/FM/in-dash 6-CD changer, leather seating surfaces, six-way power driver's seat with power adjustable lumbar support, power driver's window, HomeLink universal garage door opener, auto dimming rearview mirror with digital compass, leather-wrapped steering wheel/shifter; Technology package ($700) includes intelligent keyless entry/ignition system, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, XM Satellite radio
Freight: $1,400
Configuration: Front engine, all wheel drive wagon
Engine/Transmission: 2.5L 4-cyl/Continuously Variable automatic (CVT)
Horsepower: 170 @ 5,600 rpm
Torque: 175 lb.-ft. @ 3,900 rpm
Fuel required: 60 litres, regular
Observed fuel economy: 10.7 L/100 km combined
Warranty: 3 years/60,000 km
Competition: Ford Escape; Jeep Patriot; Mitsubishi Outlander; Saturn Vue
Strengths: Proven engine and CVT transmission; versatile and functional platform
Weaknesses: Limited rear seat/cargo configurations; paddle shifters not standard
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