Nissan Hi-Cross Concept at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show

• Looks like: Nissan is going mean and lean for its next compact crossover
• Defining characteristics: Third-row seating, compact design, new hybrid technology
• Ridiculous features: 3-D displays, but they’re low-hanging fruit for the chopping block
• Chances of being mass-produced: We’re probably looking at the next Nissan Rogue

The current Nissan Rouge is getting long in the tooth. Although it received a mild refresh for the 2011 model year, the model sold today is nearly the same as the one on sale in 2007. Nissan's recently unveiled Hi-Cross Concept gives us a taste of what to expect from the Japanese carmaker's next-generation compact crossover.

The Hi-Cross Concept is a seven-passenger compact crossover, featuring Nissan's first in-house-engineered front-wheel-drive hybrid system. The concept features two four-cylinder engines: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder (powering the current Rouge) and a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine coupled to a hybrid system. The hybrid system features lithium-ion batteries developed from Nissan's Leaf technology, according to the automaker. It also uses a new generation of the continuously variable automatic transmission that Nissan says will improve fuel economy by about 10% over its current CVT.

Recall Alert: 2012 Nissan Murano and Nissan Rogue

Nissan is recalling 2,983 model-year 2012 versions of the Murano midsize SUV and Rogue compact SUV because the tire pressure monitoring system wasn't activated during the assembly process, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Vehicles without an active TPMS do not to comply with federal motor vehicle safety requirements. Driving a vehicle with underinflated tires can increase the risk of a crash.

The affected SUVs were built from Nov. 23 to Jan. 11, but they have not been sold yet and are still in dealerships, according to NHTSA. Dealers have been instructed to activate the system on the affected vehicles.

Customers with questions can call NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

Recall Alert: 2011 Nissan Rogue

Nissan is recalling 7,365 Rogue compact crossovers from the 2011 model year because the power-steering assist feature may stop functioning, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the affected vehicles, the circuit board may not have been installed in the correct position on the electric power-steering assist control unit. This could put stress on the solder of the terminal to the circuit board and cause the solder to crack and separate from the circuit board. If the circuit board fails, the power-steering assist feature will stop working, increasing the force needed to steer the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

The vehicles in the recall were built between Aug. 17, 2010, and Oct. 30, 2010. You can see when your car was built by checking a label affixed to the driver-side doorjamb.

The recall is expected to begin this month. Dealers will replace the EPS control unit if necessary at no charge. Owners can call Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA’s vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.  

2012 Nissan Lineup: Ch-Ch-Changes

For the 2012 model year, Nissan will refresh the Maxima, add a Special Edition Package to the Rogue and increase the standard features on the Leaf. The automaker released the planned model-year changes for its lineup this week.

Nissan also plans to continue to sell the old Versa hatchback alongside the completely redesigned Versa sedan, which was first shown at the 2011 New York International Auto Show.

Continue reading below for more detailed information.

Cars.com Podcast: 2011 Nissan Rogue, 2011 Ford Flex

Just the Two of Us … that’s what Cars.com editors Mike Hanley and Kelsey Mays are crooning this week. Actually, they’re not singing — that would be really disturbing, and folks would stop downloading our podcasts. Instead, the duo discuss two crossovers that may be competent but have some flaws as well. Find out why you might be able to overlook the disadvantages if you’re in the compact or full-size crossover segment.

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Cars.com Reviews the 2011 Nissan Rogue

The compact-crossover segment has transformed from a field of slim pickings into one of the most competitive battlefields for automakers. The Nissan Rogue has traditionally been a popular contender, and the model gets some cosmetic updates for 2011 to keep up with newer entries. But is it enough for you to consider it over well-received, new models like the Chevy Equinox, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson? Continue reading Cars.com editor Kelsey Mays’ review to find out.

2011 Nissan Rogue Review

Breaking Down Nissan's Year End Sales Event

Nissan has traditionally given bigger discounts than its more frugal Japanese cousins — Toyota and Honda — and for December, that yuletide tradition continues.

Nissan is offering a wide array of hefty cash-back and low-financing options across its entire lineup, barring new entries like the Juke or the GT-R sports car. Relatively inexpensive models like the Versa have up to $2,000 cash back. The relatively new but slow-selling Cube also gets $500 cash back. The Altima Hybrid, which is sold in limited markets, has up to $4,000 cash back on it, depending on the region.

Unlike some brands, which are nearly done with the switch to the 2011 model year, nearly 40% of Nissan’s inventory is from the 2010 model year, so these 2010 deals should be somewhat easy to come by.

All highlighted models have 0% to 3.9% financing for 60 to 72 months, depending on the model. Most of these deals are good until Jan. 3.

If you’re looking for a lease deal, you may be somewhat disappointed. We could find only three models – the Altima, Rouge and Sentra – that have subvented leasing plans, and all three require largish money-down agreements.

For more detailed info, continue reading below.

Unregulated Truck, SUV Bumpers Cost Car Drivers

Out of all the types of collisions you can get into, a small fender bender is probably the most minor. That’s most likely true in relation to your health, but not to your wallet, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's latest testing.

The organization tested seven pairs of 2010-11 models, pairing a compact car against a compact SUV and collided them into each other at 10 mph. The results showed that collisions where bumpers are supposed to be preventing extensive damage are costing thousands of dollars to repair.

IIHS points out that SUV bumpers often don’t align with those of a passenger car – even when both vehicles are made by the same automaker.

Recall Alert: 7,948 Nissan Cars, Trucks and SUVs

Nissan is conducting a recall campaign for a Garmin navigation accessory sold at its dealerships, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected Garmin units were sold as accessories for the following Nissan vehicles: 2008-10 Altima, Frontier, Pathfinder, Rogue, Sentra, Versa and Xterra. According to Nissan, 7,948 of the systems were either factory- or dealer-installed by the automaker.

Last month, Garmin International issued a recall for 796,000 GPS units in the U.S. over a potential overheating issue. The batteries, in combination with a specific circuit board layout, can overheat, possibly causing a fire in the car. No reported failures have caused significant property damage or injuries yet, according to Garmin. While the Garmin recall includes more than 35 GPS models, those in the affected Nissan vehicles include the Garmin Nuvi 750, 760 and 765.

As part of the recall Nissan notified its dealers last Friday to stop selling the potentially affected units. Starting Sept. 27, it will also notify affected customers. Garmin will repair the GPS units for free by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery. For more information, owners can call Garmin at 913-397-8200, Nissan at 800-647-7261 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hot line at 888-327-4236.

2011 Nissan Rogue Gets Mild Updates

The compact crossover segment is a crowded one, but Nissan had a winner with the Rogue and its $20,000 price tag when it debuted a few years ago. Now, Hyundai and Kia are fielding new, affordable redesigns. To keep up with the competition, Nissan has tweaked the Rogue for 2011 with a revised exterior and new trim levels and equipment offerings.
 
Less has been changed inside; however, there is a new optional navigation system that is integrated into the dashboard. The current model featured a third-party add-on that stuck out from the top of the dash. USB iPod integration is also standard.

Transmissions and engines remain unchanged. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional on all models.
 
Shoppers will be offered three trim levels: base S, SV and S Krom Edition. We detail the three below using Nissan’s provided materials for time-saving’s sake, as well as more photos. We’ll have pricing info before the 2011 Rogue goes on sale Aug. 13.