Rogue 2015 - Potential Buyer - Power and Vibration

[penone]

Am looking at getting a new car and a CUV is the goal. The Nissan Rogue looks like an interesting option but have 2 concerns:

1) Power / Engine Noise - The Edmund's review states "Noisy engine under hard acceleration; lackluster power" under cons. For those that own the vehicle - how accurate are those 2 statements?

2) Vibration - reading through the posts I see that some older years and a couple of 2015 have a vibration issue on idle. Is that common or just bad luck on those unlucky drivers?

Choices so far (in no particular order):

Nissan Rogue (2015)
Mazda CX-5 (2016)
Hyndain Tucson (2016 - although not available yet)

Thanks for any help!

[oldengineer]

I have a 2015 and have experienced a rough idle a few times, mainly in cold weather right after the engine had warmed up. Possibly an IAC intermittent problem? The thing that I have a big problem with is vibration. It's not bad but is annoying and hurts an otherwise very good car. Here's my advice to you. Take the car you're planning on purchasing out for a test drive. Watch the tach and hold it around 1350 rpm. In normal (not eco or sport) mode this will be around 43-45mph. That's where I can feel a buzzing in the steering wheel. The dealer says it's normal for the CVT and there's nothing they can do about it. As far as noise under acceleration and power go I'm fine with what the car has and does.

[nezoid]

I am not sure how common the issues you listed are as lucky I don't have any vibration while at idle or driving. Now the lack luster power bit? Yeah, it can be depending on your needs and expectations. I am coming from a modded srt-4 that spun tires in third into a vehicle that will only spin tires if it is on ice. So yeah it is under powered. Yet I feel it is enough for the type of vehicle it is, and never felt unsafe with the lack of power. Though if it had any less, I wouldn't have purchased the Rogue.

As far as noise, I only had the pedal pressed to the floor maybe twice, and one was to see how the power delivery felt and listen for the noise as I've read the same reviews. It wasn't any louder than I expected a 170hp-ish engine to sound like. Honestly though, as you know the best way to find out if it is acceptable to you is if you test it out. Because what is fine for me, might be too much for you.

GL with your decision.

[js34111]

I've been really pleased with my 2015 SL AWD for the last three months that I've owned it. It has met all my expectations so far and I feel fine suggesting this vehicle to a friend or family member.

To answer your questions:

1. Yes, it can feel under powered at times, but keep in mind it's a four cylinder in which they tried to maximize MPG and not the quarter mile track time. It's still comparable enough to any other similar class SUV like the CRV or RAV4, so I barely noticed a difference in my test drives. Since owning the car, the power has been there when I need it and it has never made me feel unsafe. If anything, I really enjoy the ride comfort.

2. I don't feel any vibration and if I did, I would definitely let you know because I hate vibrations. I feel the ride to be soft and comfortable, even with the 18" wheels. The engine noise when you stomp on the gas is to be expected with a 2.5L and doesn't bother me because I'm not flooring it everywhere I go. The CVT was something new for me and I don't get bothered in how it performs. It does its job and is the wave of the future in transmissions so I don't really dwell on it. So like I said, I don't feel vibrations as others have written, but I have felt the vibrations in the 2015 Honda CRV which (I almost bought) and even that vibration requires you to actually try and feel for it. My Rogue doesn't have any of that, thank goodness.

Looking at your to three choices, I would honestly rank them in the same order, although I have not driven in the Hyundai yet. There are plenty of other reasons why I'm pleased with my Rogue and I'm glad I opted to get it fully loaded. It's just the right size for what I need and I wouldn't want anything bigger. My second choice was either going to be the RDX or CRV, and with the price I got for my fully loaded SL AWD, I have no regrets.

Good luck on your decision. This is my first Nissan after years of owning Hondas and I'm pretty happy.

[xtrailmty]

well i was in the same boat like you, i drove the CRV, Rav4, CX9, Dodge, Tiguan and the Rogue, compared a lot of things like mpg, power, driver space(im tall guy), options/value, trunk space(yes i took my tape measure with me). And honestly this nissan option is by far amazing.

1. Like JS said, this is a 4 cylinder engine which has enough power to move you around and there is something interesting, because this is a CVT transmission somethings you fill under power just because the noise of the engine is a bit weird compared to others engines cause you expect to hear when the rpms goes high and shift. Takes a days to get used to. Other than that i compared all the suvs above and tested and a really big hills, the Rogue is great, just the Tiguan with the 2.0T engine is better but of course completly different engine.

2. I dont have any vibration in mine so i cant tell you about it.

One of the fact that made my mind sold on the Rogue is the feeling of you are driving a big suv with really easy driving capability, feels safe, and believe me the brake power of this increible, i didnt see that on the others options i drove.

Mine is the 3row with full toys just no leather and 4wd system.

[N.Y.C.H]

The power is ok, personally i noticed acceleration wise from 0 to lets say 40 the Rav4 i drove definitly had more of a punch, but going from 40 to 80 or something like that i felt the rogue did better than that. Power wise I never had an issue lets say going from a full stop at a toll booth to passing every other person that is also coming out at the same time, that was never an issue.

Vibration I do feel sometimes when at idle, but it is rarely ever, and random.

The only issues I have with the Rogue currently is a rattle in the dash and a rattle in the window, other than that it is a great suv.

[RGOLD]

In my opinion the 2015 Rogue is the best compromise in this segment. After extensive research I went and bought it. The 2015 CR-V has strong vibration issue (Google 2015 CR-V vibration), The Subaru Forester has anemic plastic interior and is more expensive for same trim and package. The Mazda CX5 is nice but also about $1500 more expensive... RAV4 is boring, not fun to drive due to it's stiff suspension. I like the Rogue softer suspension

I have the fully loaded SL and it feels very fancy. My other SUV is a 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara, V6 2.7L. I feel slightly more engine vibration at idle then the Suzuki which idle very smooth but remember, it's V6 vs. Nissa 4 cylinders. V6 running much smoother. As far as engine power, I don't think it's an issue since it's not a race car. It has enough power for the daily commute and has a nice feeling climbing hills thanks to the CVT transmission that keeps RPM steady; no gear hunting.

I don't find the "zero gravity" seats comfortable. They too stiff and narrow.