New Nissan crossover is no Rogue
With gas prices seemingly stuck at $3 or more per gallon, Nissan is taking aim at the popular crossover SUV segment with the all-new 2008 Rogue.
A smaller version of the Japanese automaker’s popular Murano sport utility vehicle, the Rogue boasts a car-like ride, plus better gas mileage and a lower base price than full-sized SUVs offer.
Motor Mouth recently checked out the Rogue S AWD ($20,450), an all-wheel-drive version of the base Rogue S.
On the outside, the model looks kind of like the Murano’s kid brother.
A medium-sized hood sweeps back to midsized doors and 16-inch wheels and on to a rear hatchback outfitted with a handy rear wiper.
Inside, the Rogue S offers an interior that’s simple but not cheap-looking.
The model’s front seats come standard with plain cloth upholstery and manual seat adjusters, but provide good headroom, legroom and hiproom.
The Rogue’s dashboard features a big speedometer and tachometer, along with a smaller digital gauge that tracks fuel level and engine temperature.
Nearby, an easy-to-use climate system utilizes just three simple knobs - one each for fan speed, temperature and airflow direction.
The Rogue’s standard AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system likewise relies on simple, well-marked buttons and knobs for operation.
In back, the crossover’s 60/40 split fold-down rear seat offers good headroom, legroom and hiproom for two adults or three kids. (Although theoretically designed for three adults, the rear seat’s hiproom might prove a bit tight for that many grown-ups.)
All the way back, the Rogue’s 29-cubic-foot cargo area can easily accomodate three large suitcases.
Fold down the rear seats and this space expands to an even larger 58 cubic feet - plenty of room for cross country skis, hockey equipment and the like. A nice extra: The Rogue also has a small storage bin built into the cargo area’s floor.
On the road, the Rogue’s 2.5-liter engine and all-wheel-drive system team up to provide a fairly good ride.
The model drives relatively smoothly at cruising speeds, and also offers a bit of a “high-up” road view (although nothing like what a full-sized SUV provides).
Motor Mouth likewise found backing up and parking the Rogue fairly easy given the model’s relatively small size for an SUV.