The 2008 Cars.com Mileage Challenge

As the price for a gallon of regular gas hovers above $3 a gallon — $3.40 in California — it’s high time we investigate what sort of mileage our cars achieve in the real world. In October, the EPA released its 2008 Fuel Economy Guide, which rates mileage using stricter standards for acceleration, air-conditioning use, cold weather and top speeds than were used in the past. The new measures purportedly reflect real-world driving better than before; MPG ratings dropped some 5 to 15 percent per car using the new standards.

Still, the EPA tests are done in laboratories, not on the road. To test real-world mileage, we took four cars across interstates and rural roads between Chicago and Madison, Wis., in October. Nine hours, two pit stops and one greasy lunch later, we had logged some 300 miles.

Cars.com Small SUV Faceoff

Last year we had the Toyota RAV4 take on the Honda CR-V and Mitsubishi Outlander in a battle royal of cute utes. The Toyota won, which means it now has to defend its title against two newcomers: the Nissan Rogue and the Saturn Vue. It was stiff competition, but in the end the winner was an easy choice. Check out the results.

Cars.comparison: Small SUVs, Take II

Reader Review of the Week: 2008 Nissan Rogue

We love hearing reader feedback on just-introduced models. Judging by the countless TV commercials and high traffic on Cars.com, we know the new Nissan Rogue is one of those new vehicles that have people intrigued. That’s why we’ve singled out a Miami resident who picked up a new all-wheel-drive Rogue SL, in black, for this week’s no-prize-attached award. As always, you can leave your own car reviews here.

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

Nissan Gives Away Five Rogue SUVs on NBC

The integration of automakers and TV networks is getting deeper and deeper. With the 30-second ad going the way of the dodo bird, we now get characters driving the latest and greatest car or SUV during the shows themselves. It seems NBC’s hit “Heroes” will debut Monday with an extra reason to tune in. Nissan will be giving away one of its Rogue compact SUVs after the show — if you answer a question about that night’s show correctly. Then, for the next four nights, Nissan will do it all over again for other new shows.

This post isn’t to promote the contest, just to point out how car companies are trying to promote their products with the advance of technology. However, if you’re interested in the contest itself, we’ll still point you to NBC’s page about it here.

Related
Nissan, NBC Hit Show Heroes Team Up for Second Season (KickingTires)
More Advertising News (KickingTires)

Nissan Rogue Starts at $19,250

Nissan’s first entry into the competitive compact SUV segment launches this week when the all-new Rogue goes on sale. Today, the company announced a starting price of $19,250 for the front-wheel drive Rogue S and $20,450 for the all-wheel drive Roge S. The better-equipped SL starts at $20,670 for FWD and $21,870 for AWD. Prices do not include destination charges.

Both trim levels have the same 170-hp four-cylinder engine and CVT transmission standard along with standard stability control, four-wheel disc brakes, anti-lock brakes, curtain airbags for both rows and front side-mounted airbags.

Feature package pricing can be found below.

Related
2008 Nissan Rogue Expert Review (Cars.com)
More Nissan Rogue News (KickingTires)

Cars.com Reviews the 2008 Nissan Rogue

Nissan jumps into the compact-SUV fray with the all-new Rogue. It won’t go on sale until next month, but I got a chance to drive a few of them from Baltimore to historic Gettysburg, Pa. I was impressed with the Rogue’s handling and performance and think it’s just enough SUV for the type of buyer interested in this segment. Whether or not buyers take note is another question entirely, but since almost every compact SUV is selling like hotcakes, Nissan should have a hit on its hands. The review is at the link below, and an extra photo gallery from my trip is also below.

2008 Nissan Rogue Expert Review (Cars.com)

Nissan Rogue's Five-Year Plan

In January, Nissan debuted its new compact SUV, called the Rogue, which will compete with the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 when it hits the market in a few months. Today, Fortune details the vehicle’s inception … in 2002. Most car buyers may be unaware that this is a typical gestation period for an all-new model. Back in 2002, Nissan had to come up with target buyers and what they wanted in a vehicle, on top of all the engineering and design requirements that would be needed.

The article points out that Nissan recently failed in its attempt to predict consumer wants with the Quest minivan, but the hot-selling compact SUV market is a bit more of a no-brainer. We’re not sure we can swallow the market-ise reasoning behind the Gen X target buyers growing up “unprotected and insecure,” and thus desiring this particular cute-ute. Still, we’re routinely amazed that car companies work on such a lengthy time frame and can still produce hits.   

Creating a Car for the Future (CNNMoney.com)

Related
2007 Detroit Auto Show: Nissan Rogue (KickingTires)

Nissan, NBC Hit Show Heroes Team Up for Second Season

One of the most blatant TV promotions in recent memory had to be during last year’s surprise hit "Heroes." If you don’t remember the affable character Hiro screaming “Nissan Versa” on more than one occasion, then you weren’t following along closely. The placement was such a success that the auto company and NBC have signed a new deal that will make Nissan the exclusive sponsor of the premiere episode next season, with a limited number of Nissan commercials spread throughout the show.

Which car will star next season? The new Nissan Rogue compact SUV will be driven by one of the main characters during the premiere and will be used in promotions for the first season’s DVD and for the show’s wireless platform. Frankly, we’re supporting Nissan just because it's cutting down on the commercials for the premiere. That’s the best type of advertising around.

NBC, Nissan Sign Multiplatform Heroes Deal (MediaWeek)

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Nissan’s New Heroes (KickingTires)
2007 Detroit Auto Show: More on the Nissan Rogue (KickingTires)

2007 Detroit Auto Show: More on the Nissan Rogue

There isn’t much new to report on Nissan’s CR-V fighter, other than the dozen new photos below, but those are nothing to sneeze at. Most important here is the look at the interior. Like in the recently redesigned Sentra, Nissan has really stepped up its interior quality and design with the Rogue. We’re looking forward to seeing it in person next week.

Related:
2007 Detroit Auto Show: Nissan Rogue