Resonance Concept - Future of Nissan Crossovers

[ImStricken06]

IMHO what a piece of crap. Is this the best Nissan can come up with? First of all, I realize that a concept is only a concept and in all likelihood will not make it to market at least in the form that we see here. However, Nissan had better wake up and smell the coffee in terms of competing with the latest wave of SUV's that are already out in the market. Am I alone in thinking that Nissan has let both its Murano and Rogue models fall far behind the competition? Both are way beyond overdue for complete makeovers especially the Murano. Unfortunately, this late in the model year, we can probably expect have the same ol, same ol again for 2014 unless there is something new that Nissan has kept very well hidden. As for me, the Koreans are looking much better these days!

AMEN BROTHER! +1

[Rogue One]

To get a rough idea of what we can really expect, check out the spy photos for the 2014 Nissan Dualis, our Australian cousin.
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/galler ... pyphotos01?

[JMed]

So basically we can expect no changes...

[Rogue One]

So basically we can expect no changes...

Nissan’s designers are working to upgrade the car’s interior using high quality materials and the dashboard layout is likely to be redesigned. The official did not remark on the car’s underpinnings, its a big unknown whether Nissan will choose components from the same inventory or start anew.

They may tweak the exterior to give it more aggressive styling. I do believe the 2014 will get the improved CVT, boosting fuel economy and overall performance. Beyond these, it's anybody's guess.

[darylzero]

When I was at the dealership maybe last summer some time, the guy who sold me my Rogue said the new model will have a new dash and controls that the newer Altima has.

[Rogue One]

When I was at the dealership maybe last summer some time, the guy who sold me my Rogue said the new model will have a new dash and controls that the newer Altima has.

Like this?

[darylzero]

When I was at the dealership maybe last summer some time, the guy who sold me my Rogue said the new model will have a new dash and controls that the newer Altima has.

Like this?

yeah specifically the Dash and radio

[Rogue One]

Maybe it's me, but I would have assumed that since the Rogue shares the Nissan C platform with the Sentra, that would have been what they would have modeled the new dash upon.


Can't say as I care for either. Maybe it will be closer to the Renault Koleos.

[Rogue One]

Here's a little exchange I had on the Nissan Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/nissanusa

Noel: Why no love for the Rogue? How about some info on the redesigned 2014 model.

Nissan: Hi Noel, thanks for being a fan of the Rogue! We haven't released any new information on the next generation Rogue yet. Stay tuned - you'll hear it here first! (Kellye L, Nissan Social)

Noel: Excellent! I'm on my second Rogue... something I've never done with any other vehicle I've owned in the 30+ years I've been driving. Can't wait!

[Rogue One]

Up for your consideration. Possible new style head unit and climate control systems. Thoughts?

[Rogue One]

Up for your consideration. Possible new style head unit and climate control systems. Thoughts?

Additional center console possibilities.
2013 PATHFINDER


2013 MURANO


2013 MAXIMA

[Rogue One]

So basically we can expect no changes...

What would Improve the 2014 Nissan Rogue?
Expect to see many of the features that debuted in the 2013 Nissan Altima migrate into the 2014 Rogue. These might include blind spot warning, lane departure warning, and rear moving object detection systems that can help a driver avoid getting into collisions. New convenience features could include a large multifunction LCD display situated at the center of the dashboard, and so-called zero gravity seats that are said to reduce fatigue over long drives. The Rogue will likely also offer the Bluetooth-enabled NissanConnect infotainment/navigation system that can stream Pandora Internet radio and read text messages aloud, enabling users to respond by voice command or preset text (like “on my way” or “running late”) to minimize distraction.

The 2014 Nissan Rogue is expected to come powered by the Altima’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that should generate a lively 182 horsepower and 180 pound/feet of torque. While the 2014 model’s fuel economy should be improved over the current version, a new Rogue Hybrid is expected to join the line for maximum mileage. Reports suggest it might team a 2.0-liter direct-injected gasoline engine with a compact electric motor to develop power that’s on a par with the Rogue’s standard 2.5-liter four, but with much improved fuel economy over a wider range of speeds than the typical hybrid, which usually shows better mpg gains in stop-and-go city driving.

The 2014 Nissan Rogue’s already impressive handling will probably be enhanced by revised steering and suspension systems; the latter might include a version of the Altima’s Active Understeer Control that’s claimed to enable more responsive cornering.

[followingnfront]

Too much speculation... I'll wait until Nissan actually produces some info. I know what I'd like to see in the next Rogue (tighter handling, smoother on the bumps, a little more interior space), but that doesn't mean It'll have it. I think the current Rogue is a pretty nice package overall and it has a lot of luxury features that other CUV's in its class don't have (HIDs, all around camera)...

What I feel Nissan can improve on is the steering feel and ride comfort. If Nissan can make the steering feel a little more hefty and responsive/precise (a la CX-5), and smooth out the bumps just a little, I think they can have a pretty nice little all around package. I'll take sportier handling over a smoother ride though hands down. But I can really care less about heated rear seats or streaming audio bluetooth, lane departure warnings, or any other nanny electronics, etc... What I'm really concerned about is Nissan vanillifying the Rogue as opposed to actually adding character kinda like they did with the 2013 Altima.

For instance, my dad has a 2010 Altima and it is smooth over bumps, precise, sporty and athletic and the steering has a nice hefty feel. The 2013 Altima is smoother over the bumps, sure (not necessarily needed but always welcomed), but it's lost ALL steering feel and in turn is less precise and less sporty overall. So much so that if I were to buy an Altima, Id pick a used 2012 before a new 2013. The Altima used to be referred to as a sports sedan in reviews, and the new 2013 is being referred to as a "safe over the road package, but its no sports sedan"... Thank the electric steering for a big part of that!

Also, you all shouldn't be too ecstatic about getting the new CVT. Altima guys are having some problems with them. I think they still have kinks to be worked out.

So yeah, in short, rather than a complete overhaul, I'd likely be happier with further refinement and smaller steps forward in the way of the fine details to add character and not vanillify the Rogue to appeal to the masses.

[kerrton]

The Rogue is built on the Sentra chassis, Murano sits on the Altima platform, but the suspension and steering will likely be unique for the Rogue so anyting is possible.

Main areas of improvement to keep up with competition would be a re-tuned suspension that is a bit less harsh and more controlled, but still maintains a responsive sporty feeling. Another area for improvement is noise reduction in the cabin, including sound deadening in the back hatch area, through the firewall and floor - they cheaped out in past models on this but buyers are no longer going to be so accepting. Other little things that the cheaped out on like no 2nd row center console, and fixed head rests are not going to fly anymore. If they want to compete the opportunities to cut costs are going to be much more limited than when they released the 2008 model.

In 2008 when I purchased my Rogue the competition was horrible, very inefficient offerings from the Big 3 with cheap interiors and old powertrains, reliabilty was crap. Hyundai/Kia were not at the top of their game and not strong players yet. Toyota and Honda were overpriced in my opinion, the RAV4 had a horrible 4 cylinder so you had to shell out big cash for the V6 and AWD so that eliminated them. Mazda had a rebadged Ford Escape or overpriced CX7, both gas guzzlers. The Rogue was much more affordable (although I paid a lot more than the current Rogue is priced for!), it had one solid powertrain so you didn't have to decide if you wanted to take a weak 4 cylinder to save money, or shell out big bucks for the overpowered gas guzzling V6. I still think in 2008 that powertrain was ahead of its time and at the end of my research the Rogue really was the ONLY choice. Today 5 years later things have completely changed. Toyota and Honda both have excellent 4-cylinder powertrains with affordable pricing, as does Ford, GM, and Chrysler. Hyundai/Kia has since risen to the top with some amazing models with very few if any compromises, as has Mazda with its new CX5 with Skyactiv. The competition is just so strong now and the list of competitors so much longer that I really have no idea what I would buy if I were looking to purchase today.

An entirely new Infotainment system is another area where Nissan is lagging slightly behind competitors such as Ford, GM and Chyrsler - buyers are going to demand full Smartphone integration with their vehicles and the Big 3 Domestic brands have really nailed this, Ford still has improvements to make to its MyFord Microsoft system but they give frequent free updates to all customes so they'll have it dialed in very soon. Asian brands are all lagging behind on these systems, and with the Smartphone crazed public I think this could cause a huge market adjustment in the favor of the Big 3 in the short term, especially as Big 3 quality has really improved.

I personally care about powertrain quality, ergonomics, and price/bang for your buck with Infotainment being a "nice to have" provided its done right, and from what I've seen the MyFord Touch system would drive me nuts. No physical buttoms, everything is touch based except even climate controls - I hate auto climate control and taking it a step further and making it touch based doesn't sound good to me especially in a few years after warranty when these things started to fail and cost thousands to replace - I'll take a manual system with big buttoms like my Rogue has but eventually it seems this will no longer be an option. Regardless of what I think, the masses are obsessed with techno gizmos and Nissan will have to catch up to the Big 3 if they want to be competitive so expect big techno bells and whistles on the new Rogue.

The next-gen CVT is another wild card that could really hurt Nissan. It looks great on paper but the CVT is something that many people still hate, and the reliability and driveability troubles with the new transmission could be a death sentence for Nissan if they don't get them sorted out now. The new Pathfinder is having a lot of issues, as is the Altima as I've been told. Probably not as many issues as people think but with the internet communications happen so fast and people make quick decisions - public perception is everything especially with the fierce competition.

[Rogue One]

...An entirely new Infotainment system is another area where Nissan is lagging slightly behind competitors such as Ford, GM and Chyrsler - buyers are going to demand full Smartphone integration with their vehicles and the Big 3 Domestic brands have really nailed this, Ford still has improvements to make to its MyFord Microsoft system but they give frequent free updates to all customes so they'll have it dialed in very soon. Asian brands are all lagging behind on these systems, and with the Smartphone crazed public I think this could cause a huge market adjustment in the favor of the Big 3 in the short term, especially as Big 3 quality has really improved...

Nissan Unveils Major Advances in Connected Car Technology http://nissannews.com/en-US/nissan/usa/ ... technology

http://www.nissanusa.com/buildyournissa ... 0/Interior