We like trucks, but unlike our southern neighbours, we don't feel the need to drive big ones. Let's face it, an SUV is practical, offers a higher view of the road and benefits from all-weather traction. Still, spending big bucks at the gas pump is not in our best interest.
Witness the renaissance of 4-cylinder sport-utilities. Most manufacturers have a compact model with a strong small-displacement engine that supports a more-muscular V6. Yet some feel a 6-cylinder powerplant is irrelevant, including Nissan and its Rogue.
For those who will be trading in their old X-Trail, know that the Rogue is, besides the engine, totally different. While the X-Trail was a European product imported in Canada that had a driver-selectable transfer case as well as a choice of 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, the Rogue is a car-based SUV that isn't nearly as capable off-road as the X-Trail. Oh, and the Rogue is much nicer to look at.
Noisy engine at wide-open throttle
The 2.5-litre engine develops 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, and delivers respectable acceleration numbers; zero to 100 km/h is yours in 9.1 seconds. But the only transmission choice is a continuously variable automatic, which Nissan calls Xtronic.
During relaxed driving, no problem. But when you're in a hurry or you just want to pick up the pace, a CVT will hold the engine at its power peak during full-throttle acceleration. And near its redline, the 4-cylinder in the Rogue gets rather noisy. And do we really need paddle shifters in a compact SUV? I doubt owners will use them on a regular basis.
However, the 2.5-litre engine delivers reasonable fuel economy, averaging 11.4 L/100 km in our hands and during a cold winter week.
Like a some other compact SUVs--notably, the VW Tiguan and the Mitsubishi Outlander--the Rogue benefits from lively steering and a stout suspension that allows it to hustle around shopping center parking lots. Yet on the road, the ride isn't punishing.
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| The Nissan Rogue is a fun-to-drive compact SUV that provides a good ride. |
Witness the renaissance of 4-cylinder sport-utilities. Most manufacturers have a compact model with a strong small-displacement engine that supports a more-muscular V6. Yet some feel a 6-cylinder powerplant is irrelevant, including Nissan and its Rogue.
For those who will be trading in their old X-Trail, know that the Rogue is, besides the engine, totally different. While the X-Trail was a European product imported in Canada that had a driver-selectable transfer case as well as a choice of 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, the Rogue is a car-based SUV that isn't nearly as capable off-road as the X-Trail. Oh, and the Rogue is much nicer to look at.
Noisy engine at wide-open throttle
The 2.5-litre engine develops 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, and delivers respectable acceleration numbers; zero to 100 km/h is yours in 9.1 seconds. But the only transmission choice is a continuously variable automatic, which Nissan calls Xtronic.
During relaxed driving, no problem. But when you're in a hurry or you just want to pick up the pace, a CVT will hold the engine at its power peak during full-throttle acceleration. And near its redline, the 4-cylinder in the Rogue gets rather noisy. And do we really need paddle shifters in a compact SUV? I doubt owners will use them on a regular basis.
However, the 2.5-litre engine delivers reasonable fuel economy, averaging 11.4 L/100 km in our hands and during a cold winter week.
Like a some other compact SUVs--notably, the VW Tiguan and the Mitsubishi Outlander--the Rogue benefits from lively steering and a stout suspension that allows it to hustle around shopping center parking lots. Yet on the road, the ride isn't punishing.
 |
| The only transmission choice is a continuously variable automatic, which Nissan calls Xtronic. |