2010 Nissan Rogue

[dmuramoto]

The last time I drove a Rogue was at its major media preview a few years back. At the time, I remember thinking the mini-SUV handled pretty well as we drove through the hills above San Diego. During that trip, the driver of a Ford Mustang GT had to eventually pull over as this strange vehicle kept pulling up onto his bumper in all the twisty sections of the road. V-8 power was no match for the 170 HP in the Rogue with AWD on that particular day.

This particular Rogue, part of the STI press fleet, was not a particularly upscale model. It had the I-Key, Bluetooth and upgraded stereo Premium package with a basic interior. But Nissan has also upgraded the base 'S' models with standard 6-way power seat for the driver and have you noticed you don't have to pay extra for safety items like side-mounted airbags any longer? More features add to to a better overall value. MSRP was about $22K.

While I didn't get to terrorize any more ponycar drivers, the Rogue handled snowy roads here in Colorado easily. It easily merged or passed when I needed it to and the the CVT shifts well enough that I take it for granted any longer. Fuel mileage in the mid 20's for combined street/highway travel is OK, but not outstanding for this class. The Rogue offers 58 cubic feet of interior space, so it feels HUGE compared to my Z.

My favorite aspect of the Rogue remains the driver centric cockpit. The sleek, wedge-shaped binnacle cover looks like it came out of a sportscar and the analog gauges are easy to read at a glance. More detail is available from an orange-on-black multifunction gauge between the speedo and tach clusters. But unlike other Nissans with a 'start' button, the Rogue has a 'spud' that you turn like a key on the side of the steering column. That seems so, well, "old fashioned" is the only description that comes to mind. HA! I'm just getting spoiled by all these modern features...

[Outkast]

I still thing the front facia was a lazy after thought. Infiniti got a nice flowing nose while Nissan got the milk crate.

[dmuramoto]

I still thing the front facia was a lazy after thought. Infiniti got a nice flowing nose while Nissan got the milk crate.

Hmm- milk crate, eh? Look at the Honda Pilot or even Lexus RX and there are some really ugly or indifferent front SUV fascias out there. Nissan wants styling that is clearly different from Infiniti's flowing designs and I think Rogue fits that goal. If you really want something smooth and flowing, check out the 2010 Rogue Krom model. It's got a new front fascia that might appeal to you.

[Outkast]

Yeah, I did a PDI on a new one a few days ago.

My biggest frustration with the nose on the original Rogue is the milk crate radiator vent and there idea of an upgrade was some platic chrome overlays.

[dmuramoto]

Does your dealership have a Krom (makes me think of Conan the Barbarian) Rogue in? What do you think of it's newly revised and smooth front fascia?

[Outkast]

We've got 3 with a couple Krom Cubes as well. And compared to the original I love the nose alot better. The places beside the nameplate actually has some thought to it.

[dmuramoto]

Is it just me, or do the Rogue HVAC controls look like they were lifted directly from the 350Z? Not that it's a bad thing-- they certainly work well enough in freezing temperatures!

[Outkast]

Ya know I'm in them 1 to 5 times a day doing TCM and ECM program recalls and I've never really payed attention to the dash.