Is it a car or truck?

[RogueGuy45]

Former Explorer driver here. My last vehicle was most definitely a truck. I'm struggling with the proper definition of the Rogue. Car, Truck, SUV?

I call it a car.

[philipa_240sx]

The Rogue would be classified as a CUV = Crossover Utility Vehicle.

A CUV is a utility type vehicle that is typically based on a sedan platform. In the case of the Rogue, that sedan is the Nissan Sentra. CUV's tend to have lower ride height, better handling (car-like ride), and are typically not off-road capable. By definition a CUV is not a truck.

An SUV is a utility type vehicle typically based on a truck or purpose built chassis. SUV's are very capable off-road capable vehicles and normally come standard with some sort of 4WD/AWD system. An SUV can be classified as a light truck since it is off road capable.

Terminology aside, the Rogue is still a great vehicle regardless!

[Elton Noway]

The Rogue would be classified as a CUV = Crossover Utility Vehicle.

A CUV is a utility type vehicle that is typically based on a sedan platform. In the case of the Rogue, that sedan is the Nissan Sentra. CUV's tend to have lower ride height, better handling (car-like ride), and are typically not off-road capable. By definition a CUV is not a truck.

An SUV is a utility type vehicle typically based on a truck or purpose built chassis. SUV's are very capable off-road capable vehicles and normally come standard with some sort of 4WD/AWD system. An SUV can be classified as a light truck since it is off road capable.

Terminology aside, the Rogue is still a great vehicle regardless!

Spot-On! http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spot-on

[kerrton]

It's a CrossOver.

[takeshi]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossover_SUV

[RobbyUSMC01-06]

Most suv/cuv's are at least roughly based on one their manufacturers car or truck suspension and drivetrain platforms. If it's based on a truck xterra=frontier or rogue=sentra, that's what I call it. So I say I have a car.

[philipa_240sx]

If it's based on a truck xterra=frontier or rogue=sentra, that's what I call it. So I say I have a car.

Unfortunately there is so much 'crossover' between car or truck chassis nowadays, it's hard to base distinction based on chassis alone.

For example, many would call the Honda Ridgeline a truck but it's based on Honda's large FWD chassis used in the Pilot and Odyssey. The Odyssey chassis itself started life as an Accord... so is the Ridgeline really a car?

There are many other examples of car chassis used to make pickup trucks:

Chevrolet El Camino - GM RWD car chassisFord Ranchero - Ford RWD car chassisVolkswagen Truck - BeetleVolkswagen Caddy - Golf

I am sure there are others, my automotive history isn't that great.

Point is, there is so much 'grey' area hence the the term CUV or 'crossover' was coined a few years ago. People still use 'car' or 'truck' to call their crossover vehicles, I suppose the old terminology will never die... it's just habit.

[RogueGuy45]

I've been thinking that the Sentra must be a very solid little car. I mean if they can use it's platform for a solid CUV like the Rogue.

[cdmuile]

+1. The Rogue is a great little.....whatever it is.

[RiverRogue]

It's definately not a truck

[Leo2005]

Last month I got a phone call from bodyshop: "Your truck is ready. Come on down to pick it up." I think they're looking at the size and if it bigger than sedan then they call it a truck. Also my friends never called it cuv/crossover. They keep saying it is suv. Whatever.....I don't care.

[SewinSew]

Just for my 2 cents, I call my Rogue a small SUV. I had a Pathfinder a few years ago that I loved to death (literally, I drove it till it died). I have the same feeling about my Rogue, just smaller. I don't do off-road, but want something that is going to get through snow, when needed. My kids are grown, so I don't need large anymore. My little Rogue fits me, and I intend to drive it a good while.

[kerrton]

It's funny some people call this a "little" vehicle, for me this is my "big" vehicle that I bought last year because we had our first child and realized we needed something bigger than our car to haul the kid and stuff around. To me the Rogue is spatious and fairly long, which creates a big cargo area and lots of leg room. The funny thing is, the old Pathfinders were roughly the same size as the Rogue is now, but since vehicles keep getting bigger the current Pathfinder is huge. Back 10 years ago the much smaller Pathfinder was considered "large", now the Rogue is roughly is the same size and it is considered "small" by some, I just don't get it. I guess that mentality is part of the problem that led to the Big 3 going bankrupt.....

[woolsocks]

I learned my lesson - DO NOT tell the wife (the primary driver) that it is a station wagon. I will not do that again - She told me that my Crew Cab Frontier was an El Camino.

[mx6bfast]

I've had sports cars since I was 18, so that would be almost 16 years. I've had my Rogue for almost a year now but I still find myself calling it a car. When I talk about it to people I call it a crossover. My son however calls it a truck and if I say daddy's car he says "No, it's daddy's TRUCK."

[duck411]

True, the Rogue is built on a chassis shared with the Sentra compact, but it pretends to be an SUV. To that end, it gained about three inches in height, added larger wheels with an optional AWD. However, deep down inside it is still just a compact vehicle with excellent ride and excellent handling.

[kingjman]

Lucky 4 me according to the CARS program it is a "light truck" ....that made my $200 winter beater worth $4500.