2016 Nissan Rogue Reviews, Pricing & Specs

As it turns out, superb fuel efficiency and a well-built, comfortable cabin are high priorities for compact SUV buyers. Those also happen...

As it turns out, superb fuel efficiency and a well-built, comfortable cabin are high priorities for compact SUV buyers. Those also happen to be two of the Nissan Rogue's primary marketing points--and the Rogue sold so well last year that the Japanese auto maker decided to import about 100,000 additional models into the United States this year.

The Rogue was redesigned in 2014, and redesigned well if the sales figures are any indication, so there are still only minor tweaks and upgrades for the 2016 version. A motion-activated power liftgate has been added as standard feature on the high-end SL trim, along with technology upgrades like Siri Eyes Free, a voice-activated system that allows drivers to use their iPhone with the Rogue’s radio. Forward emergency braking has been added to the SL Premium package, and body-colored exterior mirrors with integrated turn signals have been added to the S (base trim) Appearance package.

Critics really like the Rogue interior, especially the seats that were inspired by NASA and zero gravity space travel. Nissan crafted the seats using extra dense foam and they will keep you comfortable for days on end. That comfort is then matched by the simple elegance of the cabin’s layout (ergonomic and easy to read) and materials (just the right mix of low-gloss plastics and metal).

The second row can be adjusted along a 9-inch track to create plenty of leg room. The available third row, a selling point for some, is definitely best left for small children, and unless you’re carting around a cadre of kids, the standard Divide-N-Hide cargo system is probably a better option. As its name suggests, this system allows you to divide the rear cargo area so that you can keep wet rain coats away from the groceries, or hide valuable items beneath a cover.

The passenger seat and second and third row seating can all fold flat to offer versatile storage. The Rogue has 70 cubic feet of storage with both rear seat rows folded flat, and there’s 32 cubic feet available behind the second row, 9.4 cubic feet behind the optional third row.

The Rogue’s exterior, especially the front and back ends, mirror the simple elegance of the cabin, although the LED running lights beneath the headlamps do add some flair. The silhouette delivers additional style with sculpted, Juke-like fenders and distinct character lines.

The three trim options--S, SV and SL--all come with a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and comes standard with front-wheel drive (FWD). Nissan’s Intuitive all-wheel drive (AWD) is an option for all models. As you can probably guess by those horsepower and torque numbers, acceleration is not a strong suit for the Rogue (0-60 mph takes close to 8 seconds), and the CVT creates a bit too much engine noise for some. But the ride is comfortable and rather affordable thanks to impressive estimated fuel efficiency of 26 mpg city/33 highway (25/32 with AWD).

Standard features for the base Rogue S ($23,240 MSRP) include power mirrors, air conditioning, power windows, cruise control, Bluetooth with streaming audio, a rear-view camera, and an AM/FM/CD 4-speaker sound system with USB and auxiliary inputs and a 3-month subscription to SiriusXM Satellite Radio.

The SV trim ($24,690 MSRP) adds a 6-way power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, push button start, two additional speakers for the audio system, and NissanConnect Services, which combines navigation, security, and entertainment in one dash-mounted system. Stepping up to the SL ($28,640 MSRP) brings a power tailgate, heated front seats, leather upholstery, Siri Eyes Free, Around View Monitor (uses four cameras to create an overhead view of the vehicle and its surroundings), and a 9-speaker, 2-woofer Bose audio system.

Standard safety features aboard all Rogue trims include vehicle dynamic control with traction control, break-away engine mounts, an energy-absorbing steering column, a tire pressure monitoring system, dual-stage front air bags, side-mounted front airbags, and curtain airbags for all rows. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Rogue 4 out of 5 stars, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety made it a Top Safety Pick.