2014 Rogue - UPDATED with pics

[tiggy_rogue]

The only thing that worries me about this new Rogue is the CVT. It has been confirmed that 2013 Altimas and 2013 Pathfinders (new CVT) have been having premature failures and the Rogue is going to be using the same one (as the Altima).

I was talking to the GM of the dealer I got my Rogue from and my Dad is getting his Maxima from and he said, "Yeah, we just did 2 pathfinders this week." I said, "So what is the fix?" He said, "I wish I knew... There is no fix right now... Just replace the transmission... And one of the ones I'm doing this week has a transmission that we replaced a few months ago."

So needless to say, if the new Rogue develops CVT issues (seems inevitable to me) I'm going 2014 MAXIMA baby!

Or Subaru Forester... The GM of this Nissan dealer is also the GM of the Subaru dealer of the same group.

Just a clarification: The CVT issues of Pathfinder is not related to the CVT design of the new rogue or altima. The pathfinder is using steel chain CVT(first in industry) that pushes the towing to 5000Ibs. This is the root cause of the CVT issues in Pathfinder. If anything, the CVT in the new rogue is similar to Infiniti JX which uses steel reinforced belt just like the rest of the Nissan-Infiniti lineup. I would simply disregard CVT issues of the pathfinder if interested in purchasing new rogue. About the issues in CVT issues in Altima, let's remember that Altima is selling about 35000 units a month or over 400k per year. Few reported issues does not mean much. In my opinion, The problems with the new low friction is simply the same or lower than current gen rogue or 2012 and before altima.

[followingnfront]

http://www.nissanclub.com/forums/2013-n ... fixes.html

[followingnfront]

There are a couple reviews out with driving impressions today:
http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/ ... rst_drive/
http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2013/11 ... san-rogue/

[Rogue One]

There are a couple reviews out with driving impressions today:
http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/ ... rst_drive/
http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2013/11 ... san-rogue/

Meh. Underwhelming reviews, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised they put little effort into it. At least motor trend actually said something about the ride/handling.

The brief drive loop that Nissan put together departed from near Nissan's North American headquarters in Nashville and continued over country roads across the nearby valley. On these meandering roads, many aspects of the all-wheel-drive SV-trim Rogue felt relatively sporty -- the new electric steering is positive and has heft, and the suspension is tuned to the firm side of the spectrum, resulting in a trade-off situation. There's little body roll, but more transmission of potholes and larger imperfections to the cabin than some might prefer. Unfortunately, any delusion that this is a sports car disappears with a firm stab on the throttle. With max power coming in at 6000 rpm and max torque at 4400 rpm, the CVT keeps the engine droning away at high revs to make any sort of power. While the redesigned Xtronic transmission does attempt to simulate shifts at higher engine speeds, the end result is still a lot of noise and annoyance relative to perceived acceleration.

[followingnfront]

The driving characteristics seem promising... Hefty steering with good feel and good on center feel and sporty handling... MT says it hits bumps hard so i guess it wont be smoother than the 1st gen. But thats something thats subjective anyway.

But a friend of mine in the dealership advised me to wait for the 2015 because the first year is going to have a lot of fit/finish issues like the 13 Altimas. They have been waiting on a demo rogue for 2 weeks and they have to wait now another 2 weeks because the one they were waiting on had a lot of fit/finish issues. Fyi

[RyleyinSTL]

Seems like most early reviews are generally very pleased and seem to think the 2014 vastly improved. Particularly the ride/handling, quality of the interior, cargo management and overall aesthetics.

Sticking points seem to be that it has a CVT and only 170hp....neither of which have been holding sales back on the old model.

I'd say they will do very well with this.

[followingnfront]

Seems like most early reviews are generally very pleased and seem to think the 2014 vastly improved. Particularly the ride/handling, quality of the interior, cargo management and overall aesthetics.

Sticking points seem to be that it has a CVT and only 170hp....neither of which have been holding sales back on the old model.

I'd say they will do very well with this.

I agree... However I think my friend in the dealership is onto something and it will probably take until the second year to get their quality control/potential cvt hiccups under control.

The first gen Rogue was always manufactured in Japan... They had what, 6-7 years to get it right? Now the folks in Tennessee have a brand new model that they are starting to produce and there are bound to be learning curves (fit/finish)... And there are documented cases of 2nd gen CVT issues (from minor to full-on premature failure).

Once they get all the new model kinks worked out, I think it will probably be a good seller.

[followingnfront]

Its funny.... CarAndDriver's driving impressions are the EXACT opposite of MotorTrend's...

From CarAndDriver:
"Dynamically, the Rogue is more of a cocoon than a newly sprung butterfly ready to take flight. It is quiet inside, and the ride is comfortable over the varied surfaces on which we drove. Handling is safe and secure but not well defined and certainly not inspiring, including the placid, numb electrically boosted steering."

[followingnfront]

More Driving impressions....

RoadandTrack:
"The 2014 Rogue drives well. Despite the troubling power-to-weight ratio, the machine never seems to have any trouble getting out of its own way. The electric power-steering system doesn’t provide much in the way of feedback but is well-weighted and doesn’t suffer from over assistance. The brakes are confident, and there’s plenty of visibility front and rear.

Engineers threw a few tech tricks at the chassis to help the Rogue overcome some of its bad habits. Those start with Active Trace Control. The system uses existing vehicle sensors to detect wheel angle and throttle position to monitor and mitigate understeer. The system can apply brake pressure to individual wheels to help the Rogue corner as the driver intends without the front wheels washing out. It’s simple, clever, and it works.

Even better, the system is completely unobtrusive. Around a wet skidpad, Active Trace Control allowed me to easily maintain an extra 2–3 mph without having to reduce steering angle or modulate the throttle. Those who wish to disengage the system can do so via the five-inch TFT display mounted in the gauge cluster.

Meanwhile, Active Ride Control coordinates the throttle and the brake system to minimize front-to-rear body motion over bumps and dips at speeds of over 25 mph. Nissan says the system is largely meant to keep occupants comfortable over uneven pavement."

Yahoo Autos:
"Compared to the outgoing model, the Rogue ride comfort is improved. Our engineers note that it feels steady and absorbent. Further, handling is responsive and instills confidence."

[followingnfront]

All I can say is that my Rogue's steering is surprisingly good. It's reasonably "heavy" (in a good way) for electric steering. By heavy I mean tight, hefty, and responsive... Obviously this is all relative... The hydraulic steering in the Maxima is much "heavier" (tighter, heftier, more responsive), for instance.... But all in all, for an SUV, I am happy with the steering feel in my Rogue...

If the 2014 IMPROVES on that and doesn't get any more numb and light, and actually gets tighter and heavier, it should be good. If it is dialed back in anyway, no bueno...

[followingnfront]

Doesn't really talk about how it drives at all but:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3yOoLRE ... BrqnRdwUs0[/youtube]

[AirDoc]

Doesn't really talk about how it drives at all but:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3yOoLRE ... BrqnRdwUs0[/youtube]

I can't wait to drive one of these....they look pretty good on paper also.

[RyleyinSTL]

http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=386818

An interesting sober review.

[followingnfront]

A Rogue being smoother over bumps than a CRV? Wow... That's interesting and kind of intriguing. I know for a fact that the 1st gen Rogue is worse on bumps than the current CRV so that's pretty cool to hear.

Of course MotorTrend says its hard on bumps so... Who knows... I want to drive one!

[followingnfront]

The thing I really don't like is the design of the front bumper. The bottom of it flares out like a lip which is the opposite of the gen 1. It looks like it limits approach angles for going over obstacles.

The 1st gen Rogue looks much better for off-road driving and I can say I have absolutely no problem popping up on sidewalks and the very limited off roading I did with it was done with ease.

[RyleyinSTL]

I'd guess that curb hopping and true off-road ability were not high on the priority list for the redesign. Given the global roll of the new vehicle and the needs/wants of the average compact SUV buyer, I'd say it was likely a wise decision....particularly if Nissan's goal was to steal sales from CR-V and Rav4.

From what I gather the issues you have with the front bumper were necessary for aerodynamics (particularly turbulence control) and to address European pedestrian impact standards.

[Rogue One]

...and to address European pedestrian impact standards.

Death race 2000?

[followingnfront]

From what I gather the issues you have with the front bumper were necessary for aerodynamics (particularly turbulence control) and to address European pedestrian impact standards.

I don't believe that is the case. They have the Subaru Forester in Europe too and if you take a look at the front bumper of the forester, you will see the bumper doesn't have a chin spoiler-type lip... Also, it is pretty darn capable off road and is still exactly where the new Rogue is as far as fuel economy even with the Forester's generous ride height and excellent abilities off road...

Not to mention it was voted SUV of the year and didn't have to conform to try to beat out Rav4 or CRV.

All I'm saying is, as far as 4-cyl car-based crossovers are concerned, Nissan has a very capable SUV in the 1st gen Rogue and it would be disappointing if they start making it more car-like and less capable.

[followingnfront]

For example.....




This thing has a Jay Leno chin... I'm pretty confident that the 1st gen Rogue's front bumper would not be so close to the ground in the same situation as the above pic. I live in NY with many dips and ditches in the streets, and sometimes (although I wouldn't call it "curb hopping") yes I have to park on a sidewalk or two... I feel like I'm in an SUV in the 1st gen. It has ride height and I am NEVER worried about scraping anything...

I don't want to actually be in an SUV and have the same constraints as a car because Nissan wanted the front bumper to look cool.

[RyleyinSTL]

...to be fair they are rocketing over those engineered road undulations at a fairly high rate of speed to demo the ride-control or whatever it's called. Supposedly rear and front overhangs have been reduced in the 2014 model. Perhaps this will combine with the new design to leave the approach angles unchanged? If I can get a front wheel of my Altima on a curb I'd venture to guess the new Rogue will do it many times better.

Can't wait for a test drive!

[Rogue One]

There are a couple reviews out with driving impressions today:
http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/ ... rst_drive/
http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2013/11 ... san-rogue/

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/11/01/2014 ... rst-drive/

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/1700 ... nder-30000

http://www.slashgear.com/2014-nissan-ro ... -01303590/

http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews/dr ... san_rogue/

[RyleyinSTL]

http://www.edmunds.com/nissan/rogue/2014/road-test.html

[Rogue One]

10 Automobiles That Were Surprise Stars in October
2. Nissan Rogue ($20,310)
U.S. car buyers are clearly pleased with the Nissan (NSANY.PK) Rogue, a sporty crossover just north of the $20,000 mark. The Rogue saw a sales jump of 53 percent in October as it cracked the top-25 vehicles sold in the month. This boost, along with the success of the Pathfinder and Frontier, made Nissan an October winner as the automaker posted a gain of 14 percent over its sales last year.

[followingnfront]

http://www.edmunds.com/nissan/rogue/2014/road-test.html

"If you like the idea of a sporty compact SUV, the 2014 Nissan Rogue isn't for you. Try the 2014 Ford Escape instead."

[RyleyinSTL]

^^This seems to echo what other reviewers have said. Ride and handling are actually pretty great but a slight notch below Escape/CX-5.

[RyleyinSTL]

More reviews....
http://technabob.com/blog/2013/11/04/20 ... road-test/
http://www.iveho.com/2014-nissan-rogue-first-drive/

[followingnfront]

That ride height and front bumper ughh.... Look at that picture and imagine the Rogue driving forward on that grass and coming across a rock that is sticking up out of the grass about 3.5-4" high.... Scrape

Just for a little contrast, here is mine parked on grass (obviously at a slightly different angle, but you can still see the difference in ground clearance):



Other than that, yes I'm pretty darned excited to see it when my dealer gets it and to test drive it.

[followingnfront]

[youtube] http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2qNlE3O6lD4 [/youtube]

[Rogue One]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qNlE3O6lD4&app=desktop[/youtube]

Now's it's more a Mom and Dad styled CUV? OUCH!

[Rogue One]

I was just going to ask the MOD's, but I thought I'd solicit input from everyone.

Given that the 2014 model is significantly different from the first gen, could/should we have a separate/sub forum for it? After all this has been done for the Z's (300 and 350/370), while the Altima is divide between sedan and coupe.

Thoughts, opinions, comments?