2014 Nissan Rogue – Larger, More Efficient, And More Family Friendly

STRIKING at the heart of the COMPACT-CUV market.

Notwithstanding some exciting concept cars, Nissan is not the enthusiast brand that it used to be. The 2014 Rogue is the latest in a string of core model redesigns that favor mass appeal over driving excitement.

This new Rogue targets the heart of the compact-crossover segment more than ever. On paper, nearly everything about the Rogue matches up with class leaders like the Ford Escape and the Honda CR-V. The Rogue has been Nissan’s second-best-selling model for the past few years, and the company is really hoping for a sales knockout with this redesign.

The 2014 Rogue rides on a new Renault/Nissan platform. It also looks new on the outside, with inoffensive, contoured lines that at least look fresh despite some awkward angles. The airy, modern interior is a welcome improvement, too, and we appreciate the simple ergonomics of the NissanConnect infotainment system.

Under the surface, though, the Rogue is largely the same. The 170-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder is essentially carryover, and all exterior dimensions are very close to those of the last Rogue.

Although it hasn’t grown much, the Rogue feels big when you get inside, as if it’s now straddling the line between a compact and a mid-size crossover. It’s far from ponderous, though, thanks to controlled body motions and nicely weighted steering. On our drive route through rural Tennessee, the Rogue displayed a buttoned-down demeanor that’s better than we expected given the flabby dynamics of the Nissan Altima and Sentra sedans.

Unfortunately, the polished chassis is let down by the unrefined powertrain. The continuously variable transmission is well calibrated, but the coarse four-cylinder produces an unpleasant racket. That said, fuel economy has improved significantly; the EPA combined rating jumps by 3 mpg.

The interior of the new Rogue is bigger in nearly every dimension, leaving room for an optional third-row seat that is available on all but the top trim level. Nissan says it’s for “occasional use.” Even that is an overstatement, as the cramped rearmost seats are barely large enough for kids. Get yourself a mid-size crossover if you really need the extra capacity.

The third-row seat is about the only aspect of the new Rogue that doesn’t follow the formula of the class leaders that Nissan has otherwise targeted so accurately. Nissan will have no problem selling as many as it can build at the Rogue’s new production location in Smyrna, Tennessee..

Nissan’s unabashed aim at mainstream car buyers may not excite enthusiasts, but it’s hard to fault the company for this strategy given the overall competence of the 2014 Rogue.