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201
1 speed, CVT w/OD
Intercooled Turbo Regular Unleaded I-3
All Wheel Drive, Front Wheel Drive
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
The Nissan Rogue competes in the Compact SUV market segment. According to data collected from verified new-vehicle buyers for the JD Power 2022 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, 49 percent of new Compact SUV buyers are female (vs. 38 percent for the industry), and the median age of a new Compact SUV buyer is 57 years (vs. 54).
As part of the APEAL Study, owners rated Compact SUVs in 10 primary categories. Listed below in descending order, you’ll find their preferences, from their most favorite thing about the vehicle to their least favorite:
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
When Nissan redesigned the Rogue in 2021, it added a new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Power output measured 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm, and the new Rogue behaved much like the old Rogue in terms of its sound and acceleration.
Just one year later, in 2022, Nissan swapped that engine for a new turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine. It uses Nissan’s exclusive variable-compression technology, which the company says gives an engine robust power when you want it combined with good fuel economy the rest of the time.
The VC-Turbo engine makes 201 hp at 5,600 rpm and 225 pound-feet of torque from 2,800 rpm to 4,000 rpm—improvements of 20 hp and 44 pound-feet available at lower engine speeds. Official Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy estimates for the Rogue’s turbo 3-cylinder range from 31 to 33 mpg in combined driving, compared to 28 to 30 mpg for the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine in the 2021 Rogue. During my evaluation, I got 28.9 mpg with the new engine compared to 27.5 mpg with the old one.
Not only was the 2023 Rogue more efficient by 1.4 mpg, it felt substantially more powerful thanks to the added power and torque. It sounds better, too, with its 3-cylinder configuration providing a more pleasing note than the 4-cylinder. However, it also appears to introduce an odd shimmy and vibration through the accelerator pedal when you push on it, and I never got used to it.
Generally speaking, the Rogue is decent to drive. Acceleration is not a problem, and two brake-based technologies—Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control—help provide a smooth ride and trustworthy handling. However, I did find that when traveling on undulating or uneven pavement, the Rogue’s suspension allows more lateral rocking and vertical body motion than is preferable.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
For 2023, Nissan says it added Amazon Alexa compatibility to the 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the SL Premium and Platinum trim levels. However, the system failed to respond appropriately to numerous voice prompts. For example, I asked for directions to the closest Chipotle, and the system offered two choices: “Pho Ly” or “Pho Lee.” So, either the feature wasn’t active in the test vehicle or didn’t work as intended.
When the technology did parse my command correctly, such as when requesting directions to the closest hospital, the list of destinations included anything related to medical facilities, including general medical offices, a veterinarian, and an assisted-living center. That suggests that Nissan must do a better job of categorizing points of interest.
Additionally, as you can see in the photo above, the screen suffers from glare when the Rogue Platinum has a tan semi-aniline leather interior, making it hard to read.
My experience using the Rogue’s voice-recognition technology was disappointing following my experience in the refreshed 2023 Nissan Altima. The latest Altimas are available with a next-generation NissanConnect infotainment system with a wider screen, a better user interface, and a flawless voice-recognition experience. Nissan needs to get that system into the Rogue as soon as possible.
With that said, the Rogue’s volume knob, tuning knob, and the row of quick-access buttons across the bottom of the display’s frame make it easier to use. In addition, since it has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you can simply use the digital assistant associated with those platforms if you connect your phone.
Photo: Christian Wardlaw
Fundamentally, the 2023 Nissan Rogue is an appealing compact crossover SUV. Sometimes, though, it seems for every exclusive feature or thoughtful detail in the 2023 Rogue, Nissan overlooked something obvious that it could offer or resolve.
In addition, unlike many of its rivals, the Rogue lacks a compelling value equation in the form of a longer warranty, complimentary scheduled maintenance, generous trial subscriptions to connected services, or similar ownership perks. That makes it hard for the Rogue to compete, let alone stand out in a crowded segment.
Lastly, in the most recent rounds of crash tests performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Rogue does not earn the top rating in the newest small-overlap and side-impact collisions. Considering how many people choose compact crossovers for family vehicles, this requires a resolution.
Christian Wardlaw is a veteran digital automotive journalist with over 25 years of experience in test-driving vehicles. In addition to JDPower.com, his work has appeared in numerous new- and used-car buying guides, newspapers, and automotive industry trade journals. Google him to learn more.
