The Rogue, with its first redesign since 2014, feels more substantial, similar to the transformation we saw with the latest Sentra sedan. We found the Rogue to be taut and agile, relatively quiet, and user-friendly, making it a compelling small SUV.
Powered by a 181-hp, four-cylinder that’s teamed with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Rogue provides smooth but unexciting acceleration. It surges off the line with a strong initial burst (which can feel too abrupt, at times), but it never feels particularly peppy after that. The CVT does an excellent job mimicking the shifts of a traditional automatic when accelerating, instead of allowing the engine wind high up in the rev range anytime the driver is looking for more power, as with some CVTs. At 25 mpg overall, the Rogue’s fuel economy is decent for an all-wheel-drive SUV, but it trails the class leaders by 3 mpg.