3 Month 2018 Nissan Rogue Hybrid Review

[howie411]

So, I wanted to wait till I got my car back from its first oil change / service which I did at 3500 miles (was done free by the dealership) before writing this.

I'll start off by saying this is the first Nissan I've ever owned. Now I was coming from a 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid which I loved, but it got to the point where I needed more room for the family.

I knew I still wanted a Hybrid and I wanted an SUV with AWD. So, the only two options in my price range with the Rogue Hybrid and the Rav4 Hybrid.
I ended up going with the Rogue for 4 main reason: 1. Android Auto, 2. Panoramic Sun Roof, 3. Remote Start, 4. Heated Steering Wheel. The Top of the Line Rav4 Hybrid had none of those. Now what the Rav4 did have was a much more refined Hybrid System. Now this is where I get into the Rogue itself.

After driving the Rogue for 3 months I feel like the Hybrid system was a major afterthought they just tossed in. I know in the past Nissan had a Murano and Pathfinder Hybrid which they both nixed after 1-2 years. I'm wondering if the same will happen with the Rogue, though we did just make it to the 3rd year with the 2019 models announced.

Now let’s talk about the Hybrid system for a bit. I’m not going to get into the technical details but coming from 2 previous Hybrid vehicles I am not impressed. One of the main points of a Hybrid is they typically get really good gas mileage in city driving. The AWD Rogue Hybrid is rated at 31 MPG city. I’m getting closer to about 20-25 and we are talking short distances here. The hybrid engine does not seem to stay on long enough. For instance, if I stop at a stop light, chances are the electric engine will not make it through the whole light. This tells me the battery is discharging way to quick. Also, the battery never seems to fully charge, I’ve never seen it hit 6 out of 6 bars on the display.

Now for Highway driving the Rogue is much more impressive. My best gas mileage on a trip to work one day (20 miles) was 39 mpg. But its typically around 30-32 (EPA Estimate is 34). I’ve recorded every fill-up I’ve done since I’ve gotten the Rogue, that is 10 fill ups and my average MPG is 29.3 with my best tank getting 31.5 and worst tank getting 27.7
Taking a look at other Rogues (non-hybrids) on Fuelly) they are getting between 21 mpg and 28. So I’m getting slightly better MPG.

Now onto some issues and concerns I have. On the regular rogue you can turn off the Lane Warning Chime and the Lane Keeping assistant individually, but on the Hybrid that is not the case. It’s one or the other. I would like to turn off the warning but keep the assist function. You can’t seem to do that on the Hybrid. Also, to turn on the Lane Keeping Assist you have to press a separate button each time you start the Rogue which is really annoying.

There was no option for the platinum reserve package on the Hybrid so there was no way to get the Pro Pilot Assist or the electronic parking brake.

My next issue is the Infotainment Center in general. I really wish they had an 8 inch screen, maybe raised it up higher on the dash. Maybe because I came from an 8.9 inch screen, but it seems so small. Also when using Android Auto you lose about 2 inches on the bottom so it’s like using a 5 inch screen. And while I’m on the subject of cosmetic details why in the world did they use that shiny black plastic with the sparkles on it. I keep wiping it thinking its dirty.

The system itself is fine but I’ve had numerous issues with the system crashing and other such things. I’m hoping the latest update fixed most of them, also when I was at the dealership the other day they stated they cleared some error codes.

My last complaint is the transmission and I know this is a CVT thing, but at low speeds (under 10) the Rogue is really jerky which stinks in stop and go traffic, no issues at highway speeds.
Now just a few things I love about the Rogue. The seats are amazingly comfortable and there is a ton of room in the back seats. Have had friends say they have plenty of leg room. I love the panoramic sunroof, it lets so much light into the Rogue and makes it feel more open. I also really like the LED headlights, it’s amazing how much brighter they are then traditional headlamps. Lastly, I find the ride pretty quiet so they did a good job with noise blocking from the outside.

Would I buy the Rogue Hybrid again? I’m honestly not sure, it has it ups and downs, for now I’m enjoying it and eager to see how it handles this winter once it starts to snow with the AWD.

[prj]

Not sure what kind of research you did before buying the car but if you did any it should have indicated that the gas mileaage isn't worth it with the extra you pay for the hybrid on the Rogue.

I have a 2018 Rogue AWD non hybrid. I'm getting the same gas mileage numbers as you. One of my recent highway trips was 40.2 mpgs. Average around town has been fluctuating between 28 and 32 mpg.

Same problem exists with the Subaru CrossTrek...little to no difference in gas mileage numbers between the hybrid and non hybrid model.

[howie411]

There wasn't much research to do. The 2017 Hybrids were only out for 1/2 a season and very few reviews but most favorable and the 2018 Hybrids came out mid season too and 0 reviews. I test drove both the RAV4 and the Rogue and like I said the Rogue has a few more features I wanted the Android Auto being the biggest. As for the price difference, MSRP on the Hybrid was only 1k more, but in reality the cost was the same for the non-hybrid vs the hybrid give or take $100-$200.

I do believe there is currently an issue with the Hybrid engine not running when it should be, I'm waiting to hear what the dealership says before I contact Nissan directly. I'm not disappointed with the purchase I just wanted to share my experience.

[Rogue Jarhead]

I appreciate the well written review. I have never owned a hybrid, when they first came out I remember thinking finally they were building cars that would get great mileage. That turned out to be dead wrong, All that happened is they’ve become more complicated, and gained 5-8mpg, I must say that is not impressive.

In my opinion if the Rogue, for instance, is rated with a gas engine at 25mpg, then it’s sister model with the hybrid power plant should be at or around 50mpg. If it doesn’t then what’s the point? That goes for any hybrid vehicle.

[datechboss101]

I agree with Rogue Jarhead and Prj .

Theoretically the hybrid model should outperform the gasoline counterpart in the fuel efficiency department. However, since this is Nissan, they got some departments that are really ****** up, and don't unify them when building a vehicle.

Like your fuel numbers, I am getting pretty much similar numbers, but mine is just purely on highway driving (unless my dad takes it, then idk how much city miles he puts on). And when I go speed limit, I get a lower number. I have a whole rant somewhere in this form.

[prj]

The thing is, the only real hybrid out there that is worth buying is the Toyota Prius. They actually put the time, effort and R & D into a car that will get 50mpg+ both city and highway.

The rest of a competition just a added a sub-standard hybrid to their line up so "they too" had an offering. This is because they were late to the party and had to have "something" so they could tick a box their line up.

And those that get the warm fuzzy feeling from buying a hybrid, such as Howie411, realized they spent more $$$$ on something that really didn't do any better than the gas counterpart. Even though he didn't spend much more there is a reason the hybrid didn't cost more more than non-hybrid...

[howie411]

The thing is, the only real hybrid out there that is worth buying is the Toyota Prius. They actually put the time, effort and R & D into a car that will get 50mpg+ both city and highway.

The rest of a competition just a added a sub-standard hybrid to their line up so "they too" had an offering. This is because they were late to the party and had to have "something" so they could tick a box their line up.

And those that get the warm fuzzy feeling from buying a hybrid, such as Howie411, realized they spent more $$$$ on something that really didn't do any better than the gas counterpart. Even though he didn't spend much more there is a reason the hybrid didn't cost more more than non-hybrid...

You do realize there are other benefits of owning a Hybrid and not just gas mileage. Obviously that is the main reason but to name a few.

In VA and other states you can drive on the HOV lane by yourself. That is huge around the DC Metro area (where I live).
Less wear and tear on your engine since your gas engine isn't doing all the work. (and before you say you have 2 engines to worry about you get 100k miles on the Hybrid Engine).
Brakes and Brake Pads last a lot longer do to the regenerative breaking system.

[prj]

You do realize there are other benefits of owning a Hybrid and not just gas mileage. Obviously that is the main reason but to name a few.

If gas mileage was a benefit of owning a Rogue Hybrid I would agree with you. But since it's not, there is no benefit.

In VA and other states you can drive on the HOV lane by yourself. That is huge around the DC Metro area (where I live).
Less wear and tear on your engine since your gas engine isn't doing all the work. (and before you say you have 2 engines to worry about you get 100k miles on the Hybrid Engine).
Brakes and Brake Pads last a lot longer do to the regenerative breaking system.

Not a worry where I live.