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2020 Nissan Rogue Sport offers superb safety and tech features Featured

Posted On Sunday, 26 April 2020 03:38 Written by
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The 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport, while lacking power, excels in most other categories vs. its competition. The 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport, while lacking power, excels in most other categories vs. its competition. Photo courtesy of Nissan

With the tremendous success of Nissan’s Rogue crossover, which grew from an upstart to a contender for sales leader in its segment, it was only natural that a new version, the Rogue Sport, was introduced a few years back.

It continues to be a popular offering, and recently I had a chance to drive the 2020 Rogue Sport, which features strong technology and safety offerings, sharp looks, a roomy design and excellent value for the segment.

LOOKS

The Rogue Sport gets some updated, sporty styling for the 2020 model, particularly in the front and rear ends, and the results are pleasing to the eye. LED lights are featured, and you have options for unique metallic paint schemes including Nitro Lime and Monarch Orange.

Though the Rogue Sport is a bit smaller than the standard Rogue, it still offers an impressive amount of cargo space (among best numbers in class, at 61 cubic feet with rear seats down) and decent legroom and headroom both in front and back seats.

You won’t be overly impressed by the quality of the materials used on the interior, but it’s still decent quality for a non luxury vehicle and offers a respectable comfort level for the segment. The Rogue Sport’s leather-appointed seats are very comfortable, even on longer drives.

Dual-zone automatic temperature control is featured and there is a second row of air vents in the rear. Other options include a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, and the heated front seats warm up quickly.

A Premium Package is an option including features such as:
— Power sliding moonroof

— LED low and high beam headlights
— Power front passenger seat memory for driver's seat and outside mirrors
— Bose premium audio system including a subwoofer

HOW’S THE RIDE?

The 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport is powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that offers 141 horsepower and 147 lb.-ft. of torque. 

This power plant is paired with an automatic transmission with manual shift mode. It also comes with independent front suspension and independent rear suspension. The Rogue Sport comes with either FWD, or optional Intelligent All-Wheel Drive.

A drive in the Rogue Sport is not powerful with those numbers, and the acceleration is nothing to write home about. There is an eco mode that can be engaged, but it is even slower.
If you need a vehicle with raw power, the Rogue Sport is probably not going to be your first choice in the segment.

But for those seeking a more complete driving picture, the Rogue Sport is very sharp in terms of handling and nimbleness, and will get you where you need to go in comfort and with limited outside noise entering. And the Rogue Sport’s smaller size provides excellent ability to navigate tight city driving conditions.

TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY

This is an area where the Rogue Sport clearly shines, as there are lots of available driving aids and strong technology included.

Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 is a standard feature on the Rogue Sport, and features a variety of critical safety features, including:
— Blind-spot monitor
— Rear cross-traffic alert
— Lane departure warning
— Rear automatic braking
— Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection

A full array of airbags is included, and you get anti-lock brakes, tire pressure monitoring system, and an Intelligent Around View monitor.

You can also opt for a ProPilot Assist feature that includes  steering assist and intelligent cruise control, a good step in the evolution toward autonomous driving.

The infotainment system in the Rogue Sport, called NissanConnect with Navigation and Services, is not very fancy looking but it is quite functional. The system is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for phone mirroring, and you also get HD radio and a 7-inch color display.

Nissan’s navigation system does its job well, and SiriusXM satellite radio is offered. There is also a Bluetooth connection which allows you to stream audio and phone calls and features a text messaging assistant. The standard sound system features six speakers.

MPG
Fuel mileage is a strong point of the Rogue Sport, with official numbers of 24 city/30 highway/27 combined, which I found to be mostly accurate in real-world testing. FWD models are even better in this regard, at 25 city/32 highway/28 combined mpg.   

PRICE
The base 2020 Rogue Sport costs about $23K, but my test vehicle was on the higher end and priced just under $34K. Trim levels are S, SV and SL. This price range is competitive in the segment.

BOTTOM LINE 
2020 promises to be another successful year for the Rogue brand, including the Rogue Sport. Its attractive design, combined with an impressive list of safety and tech offerings, make it a vehicle that many crossover shoppers will have on their test-drive list.

Add in an affordable price considering all the standard features, and you’ve got a recipe for continued success.

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AutoTechReviews.com can be found on Twitter @AutoTechReview, or stay updated at the AutoTechReviews Facebook page.

Matt Myftiu can be found on Twitter @MattMyftiu.



Additional Info

  • Vehicle: 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport
  • Price as tested: $33,860 (starts around $23K)
  • Best feature: Attractive design, strong safety features
  • Rating: 3.5 out of five stars 
  • Who will want this vehicle?: Car buyers seeking a well-rounded and affordable crossover offering
Matt M. Myftiu

Matt Myftiu has been a journalist for two decades with a focus on technology, NASCAR and autos.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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