Let's get this criticism out of the way now: the 2021 Nissan Rogue needs more power. As tested, it weighs nearly 3,500 pounds, and the only engine choice is a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm.
This output is adequate for typical daily-driver use, and the continuously variable transmission (CVT) does a decent job of leveraging the available torque. And as far as CVTs go, this is a good one because you barely notice it. Programmed ratios help it sound and feel more like a traditional automatic, and Nissan even provides paddle shifters on the steering wheel, though you won't be inclined to use them.
With that said, SUVs are made for adventuring. With available all-wheel drive (AWD), up to 8.2 inches of ground clearance, and new Snow and Off-Road driving modes, the 2021 Rogue is more adept at getting off the beaten path. And that can mean bringing people, pets, gear, and driving into mountains where a normally-aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder feels sapped of its energy.
We drove the new Rogue during a media program held by Nissan, and we asked whether turbocharging would be on the menu in the future. The non-committal response from Nissan suggested that a more powerful Rogue is likely on the way. We predict it will be available with the same variable-compression turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder used in the Altima sedan and Infiniti QX50.
If you can't wait to see if a Rogue VC-Turbo becomes a reality, you can always change from the default Standard driving mode to Sport, making the SUV's driving dynamics feel more responsive. And if you were hoping for a Rogue Hybrid to reappear (Nissan also didn't say "No" about this possibility), in the meantime, you can try out the Eco drive mode.
As far as fuel economy is concerned, the tested Rogue SL with front-wheel drive (FWD) got 27.5 mpg on a driving loop with various roads and speeds, coming up 1.5 mpg short of the official EPA rating.
Drive the new 2021 Rogue, and it's easy to imagine how enjoyable a turbocharged engine could be. Nissan has done a beautiful job of tuning this SUV's ride and handling.
Based on a new, more robust architecture that is 35% composed of high-strength steel, the Rogue uses a strut front, multi-link rear suspension. Brake-induced Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control systems fortify the suspension, adding an extra measure of ride and handling satisfaction. New for 2021, Vehicle Motion Control debuts to predictively anticipate ways to make the drive more enjoyable based on a driver's accelerator, steering, and braking inputs.
In combination with the test vehicle's 19-inch wheels and 235/55 all-season tires, these features make the Rogue feel predictable, smooth, and athletic, with less of the head toss that can afflict occupants of a typical SUV.
The real star of the show, though, is the Rogue's new steering. With the redesign, Nissan moves the electric assist from the steering column to the steering rack and quickens the ratio. These changes, plus added fine-tuning, result in dramatically improved steering feel over the previous-generation Rogue.