The 2009 Nissan Rogue SL.
Another day passes and another crossover utility vehicle appears on the automotive horizon. The market is flooded with them and I have never been much of a fan. In my eyes, a CUV is what happens when an automaker takes two useful vehicles, a wagon and a sport utility vehicle, smashes them together and calls it a day. So here I am sitting in a 2009 Nissan Rogue SL wondering what purpose this vehicle serves other than to fill a niche in their otherwise wonderful lineup.
Nissan makes great entry level cars. They make a wonderful sporty sedan. They have a couple of solid sport utility vehicles in their lineup and a wonderful sports car. They make a well-built pickup truck, a good minivan, and a solid midsize crossover. They have just recently brought over their funky looking box on wheels that offers unique and fun levels of customization. They even have a polarizing supercar in the family. Why squeeze a compact CUV into this mix, when a mid-range wagon might be a better move?
The rear quarter-glass, rear window, and D-pillar all work together to make rearward visibility less than ideal.
I drive the Rogue and the power on tap is adequate at 167 hp but I was hoping the fuel economy would be up to par for a relatively compact vehicle. I averaged about 22 mpg during my time with the Rogue and I feel in a car this size I should be able to get more miles out of a gallon of gas, especially since this Nissan is fitted with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) mated to a 2.5L four-cylinder engine.
The interior is comfortable and basic without feeling cheap.
The interior of the Rogue is comfortable, and the central controls are laid out in a manner that is simple and efficient. There are no knobs and menu screens to scroll through, just the basic buttons that get the job done. This Rogue is fitted with the Premium package that includes an upgraded sound system featuring seven Bose speakers and a subwoofer for a well rounded sound regardless of whether the windows are up or down.
Driving the Rogue around town, I feel like I am in a car and not a small SUV which is the whole point of a crossover. It is easier to maneuver in the parking lot of the local Starbucks compared to its larger cousins, whom I am slaloming around as they are caught in the midst of various seven and eight-point turns. Yet it lacks the off-road capability and seating capacity those larger vehicles enjoy. It can haul cargo like any wagon, but the wagon will be lower to the ground meaning easier ingress and egress.
Space for groceries, golf clubs, the occasional large dog, and an Ogio backpack.
After my time with the 2009 Nissan Rogue, I walk away puzzled. The price is not too high with a base of $21,810, and an as tested price still under $30K at $27,120. The interior is comfortable and the ride is smooth enough. Yet I would rather do one of two things:
1. Go up in size to the Nissan Murano if I wanted a crossover (or further up market to the Infiniti FX for a sportier and more luxurious take on the same theme). More cargo space and a more powerful engine.
2. Find a station wagon that is sportier while getting similar fuel economy and offers the same amount of cargo space.
The Rogue is not a bad car, specifically for the reasons I mentioned above. I just don’t think Nissan needs to crowd its lineup with something that isn’t good for what it is. The 370Z is a great sports car and the Titan is a good truck. The Armada is a good full-size SUV and the Xterra is a great off-roader. The Sentra is a great entry-level car and the GT-R is a wonderful supercar.
The Rogue is merely an ok car caught in a lineup with better choices.
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