First Impressions: 2008 Nissan Rogue S AWD
- The Rogue has what a lot of small crossover shoppers want: It rides comfortably, and its four-cylinder engine and continuously variable automatic transmission make a good pair by providing acceptable if not overwhelming acceleration. The front and rear seating areas are roomy, but the rear seats can't recline, which is an odd feature omission. — Mike Hanley, Cars.com reviewer
- I rode with Mike and agree. The ride was impressive, even in the backseat. The cabin is nice and quiet, too. The materials are decent for the stripped-down S trim level we drove, but I saw the evidence in vinyl sun visors without mirrors, no driver’s seat height adjustment and the missing backseat adjustments. Even the outboard head restraints don’t adjust up and down; they’re high enough, but they can’t be collapsed to improve the rear view. — Joe Wiesenfelder, senior editor
- Nissan’s interior quality has come leaps and bounds since the venerable ’02 Altima. Even in our base-model tester, I found plenty to like in the dashboard materials and center controls. As Dave noted in his review, the glove compartment is huge but scrapes your shins because it opens so low. Otherwise, storage provisions are acceptable – the center console is narrow but deep, and the rear seats fold down in one easy step to expand cargo room. On the road, the Honda CR-V seems peppier at lower speeds, but the Rogue catches up on the highway. For an SUV with overall mileage in the mid-20s, that’s entirely adequate. — Kelsey Mays, Cars.com reviewer
- Compared to its closest competition, the Kia Sportage and the Hyundai Tucson, I found the Rogue a step up in interior quality and roominess. The Rogue’s shape was deceptive; from the outside, it looked a lot smaller than it felt inside. I like the unusual styling (think Mini-Murano), but I wonder why Nissan waited so long to get into this game. It’d make my consider list, though, as a small family car or a Suburban dad-mobile. — Patrick Olsen, managing editor
More First Impressions
2008 Infiniti G37
2008 Subaru Impreza WRX
Previous
Subscribe to our feed
Email us your tips!
They did a good job... considering the amount of standard features and the segment that Nissan finally entered. It is more than a Nissan Sentra that is jacked up on 4 wheels, it has a Murano-like-ness to it as the Murano is a well balanced SUV this one does the job as a mini-Murano just as it should. Hope the drive-train is a little more solid than some past Sentras 2.5L "issues".
The Rogue entered the segment on good terms. It has most of what small crossover buyers are seeking at one affordable price. The engine isn't exactly overwhelming but it rewards back with above average fuel ratings. The interior is crafted with a sporty edge and to note its comfort level, it makes it all that much more appealing. It's bones are Sentra but its character is opposite. If only the name really made a mark in its overall performance. Still, a very competitive package thats worthy of consideration. Step up to the SL for a grand more and it worth it.
dat car is hot
They missed points on something really minor when comparing to the other 2 of the big 3 from Japan. Colored mirrors, I mean, how damn hard is it to paint it?
i wonder what they'll have to say about the Tiagun
Mini Murano? No way, I like the Murano, a risky styling in your face, you like or hate it... I don't think the Rogue has "IT", it looks like something Mitsu or Toyota would do, very plain and the interior, looks cheapo, at least in the pics.
I like that Land Rover Range Rover next to it, but I wished they painted those side view mirrors as well since that's a $75k+ SUV. Oh well, you can't have it all. Back to the topic... since the Rogue is late to the party, Nissan should've made it stand out above and beyond the competition by being more creative with its features/offerings.
honestly, it doesnt really LOOK like an SUV from the fron end
i work for a nissan dealership and i am not impressed with this vehicle. i've driven it and it is like the Murano but perceived quality, interior wise and exterior wise, is not up to par with the Murano. IT IS NOT A MURANO, it is a cheap alternative to it, AND I MEAN CHEAP. overall it will sell but the way that Honda has raised the CR-V as the best selling SUV, Nissan has to go back to the drawing board with this vehicle in its next redesign.
I really like how it looks! I find it more attractive than some of those other crossovers out there and all the reviews seem to be great! I think their commercials for it are pretty clever too. I really liked this one I saw on television the other night: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5PgHAHAoRw
I don't know why you'd call it cheap. i think the interior is on par with the Mitsubishi Outlander if not a bit better, in a small, less expensive package. I mean it is cheap, meaning inexpensive for the class. I tested the SL trim for the review and found it quite nice inside. Maybe a step down from a CR-V but I thought the SL interior with the leather was nicer than a RAV4.
I think when you see the S trim with cloth and hubcaps it comes off cheap at first but when you look at the actual price and what you get it's not that bad, and still is a fun vehicle to drive. Also note the door handles are body colored. The CR-V entry level trim is not. And you can always solve the problem by getting black.
The steering wheel looks like it is from the Versa's parts bin, and asking for about 20 grand?
Wow that thing is UGLY! Makes it look like Nissan hired the designers from Hyundai or Daewoo LOL. I think it's one of those vehicles that will get even uglier as it ages. I'd hate to be stuck with one of these a few years down the road!