LOOKS

In terms of exterior design, the 2023 Nissan Rogue is one of the sharper looking small crossovers available. It features interesting metal touches on the side of the vehicle, sharp lines, and an understated grille. While not groundbreaking in terms of looks, it will look nice in the driveway, and you will appreciate the panoramic sunroof on warm days.

The exterior of my test vehicle featured 19-inch alloy wheels (base model starts with 17-inch wheels), LED lighting, roof rails, and power/heated outside mirrors.

Moving inside the Rogue, and you’ll find a stout, upscale offering compared to other non-luxury SUVs — especially if you opt for the Platinum trim level.

The quilted, semi-aniline leather-appointed seats are among the best-looking and most comfortable you’ll find in the segment, and you’ll also find a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and wireless phone charging. The beautiful tan-colored leather seating, plus attractive wood trim, push the top trim levels to near-Infiniti levels.

Dual-zone temperature control is included, as are second-row door sunshades. Optional features include interior accent lighting, and the Platinum Premium package option will give you tri-zone temperature control and heated rear seats.

All 5 passengers will find plenty of legroom and headroom to stay comfortable, and the cargo space numbers are adequate for the segment (36.5 cubic feet with seats up, 74.1 cubic feet with rear seats down). 

There’s also a bonus storage space hidden below the dashboard, and the wireless phone charger up front was a handy touch for charging while you drive.

HOW’S THE RIDE?

In a somewhat unconventional move, the 2023 Nissan Rogue is powered by a turbocharged, 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engine. This is paired with a CVT transmission, and cranks out 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque.

My test vehicle featured all-wheel drive, but the Rogue is also available with front-wheel drive.

While this is not the most powerful engine you will find in the segment, the turbo-3 performed better than I expected. It’s 0-to-60 is under 8 seconds, and it never feels overly slow. Handling and overall vehicle engagement are strong, and the brakes are quick to respond.

At the same time, you won't win any races or get a sports car feel, so be realistic in your expectations.


TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

Nissan has centered its infotainment setup around a 9-inch color touchscreen display, and voice commands are also available for all key functions.

In my experience driving the Rogue, voice commands for phone, music and navigation worked very well effectively, and helpful prompts were even offered on screen indicating how to phrase commands.

All touch controls, including the 9-inch touchscreen plus embedded buttons and dials, are also easy to master. And the optional Bose premium audio system offers impressive sound quality.

All Rogue models are compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for phone mirroring, and it offers satellite radio, Wi-fi hotspot and a 12-inch digital dashboard.

Nissan also does well in its safety offerings, starting with its 5-star overall government safety rating, and a generous list of safety systems that competes well against the best vehicles in the segment.

Among standout features is the head-up display, which is quite helpful and keeps the driver's eyes on the road and also shows your speed and the current speed limit. The high-definition Around View Monitor was very helpful in parking situations, showing the complete area surrounding the vehicle.

Other features include a full array of air bags, LATCH anchors for child seats, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Rear Automatic Braking.

If you’d like to let the Rogue take the reins for a bit, ProPILOT Assist is offered for limited self-driving ability.


MPG

In terms of fuel economy, the official numbers on the AWD version of the Rogue are 28 city/34 highway/31 combined.
My testing proved those numbers accurate, as I averaged anywhere from 26 to 33 mpg, depending on how I drove the vehicle.

Front-wheel drive versions of the Rogue offer even better fuel mileage, with numbers as high as 30 city/37 highway/33 combined.
These numbers are above average in a segment where strong fuel economy may play a key role in the decision-making process for potential buyers.

PRICE

The 2023 Nissan Rogue that I tested was priced just over $43K; base price starts about $28K, and trim levels include S, SV, SL and Platinum.

Starting under $30K, this is similar pricing to most compact crossover rivals, but be aware that you get to a higher price quickly if you go to top trims. You will need to decide what features you need and how much you are willing to pay, and it may be wise to stick with lower trim levels to stay in your budget.

Nissan’s vehicle warranties are decent, but not up to par with segment leaders. A limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles, while the powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles. There is no complimentary maintenance, a perk offered by some rival automakers.

BOTTOM LINE

The 2023 Nissan Rogue offers a roomy and upscale interior, strong tech and safety offerings, respectable drive quality, plus decent pricing and fuel mileage. While it doesn’t dominate the segment in any category, it does present a great overall package for compact crossover shoppers.

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