With the continued popularity of crossovers and SUVs, most automakers have at least one in their lineup. The Rogue is a favorite in the segment and the best-selling vehicle in the automaker’s lineup. It’s a , but for that money you get an eye-catching vehicle with plenty of interior space and exclusive features that aren’t common in its class.
Which of Google’s many great features do owners love the most? JD Power recently evaluated the new 2023 model, including consumer opinions on what makes the new Rogue a class favorite.
2022 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APPEAL) Study, the agency collected data from verified new vehicle consumers who owned a Nissan Rogue. They considered that 49 percent of new buyers in the compact SUV segment were female, and the average age of a new buyer in the segment is 57. Elsewhere in the market, women make up 38% of new compact SUV buyers, and the median age is 54.
Study participants rated the Nissan Rogue in 10 basic categories, and the study results were ordered from favorite to least favorite. Consumers in the study said their top three out of 10 categories in the survey for the Nissan Rogue were exterior styling, ride feel and safety feel. However, they weren’t as happy with the powertrain, infotainment system, and gas mileage.
A rugged and beautiful exterior
Exterior styling is important to consumers, especially when investing large sums. JD Power last reviewed the Nissan Rogue in 2021, when it was redesigned. For 2023, they looked at a higher-end platinum model that offers two-tone paint, exterior terrain lighting, and illuminated kick plates among its styling cues.
The novelty of 2023 is a novelty of the . The upgrade adds $4,195 to the $30,345 you’ll pay for this mid-tier. However, if you’re a fan of the blacked-out trend in style, it might be worth it, and it’s cheaper than the Platinum model.
The Midnight Edition has 18-inch gloss black aluminum wheels, black badges, black exterior accents, and artificial leather seats. It also offers a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, and a dual-pane sunroof. There is also an electric tailgate.
Strong engine power
When consumers weren’t happy with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in the Rogue’s 2021 redesign, Nissan fixed the problem by swapping it out for a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine. Coupled with Nissan’s unique variable compression technology, the Rogue has more power when you need it and improves fuel efficiency otherwise, according to the automaker.
The reviewer found the VC-Turbo engine felt noticeably more powerful. At 5,600 rpm, it produces 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. The new three-cylinder setup, the reviewer found, sounded much better than the previous four-cylinder.
The 2023 Nissan Rogue offers a good driving experience with plenty of acceleration when you need it.
Feeling of security
Survey owners understandably listed “feeling secure” as one of their top three characteristics. The 2023 Nissan Rogue can hold its own in its class when it comes to standard driver assistance features.
According to , the 2023 Nissan Rogue has automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert standard. Top trims include the Nissan ProPilot Assist system, which includes adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. The reviewer noted that it worked well on the highway, acting quickly to get you back up to speed when slower vehicles ahead of you move, or you change lanes to pass them.
It also has Intelligent Trace Control and Active Ride Control, two brake-based features that give the Rogue a smooth ride and give the handling a reliable feel. The reviewer found that the suspension didn’t work well at absorbing road bumps on uneven pavement.
While the majority of Nissan Rogue owners indicated in the survey that they felt safe driving the compact SUV, it did not score highly in the most recent small-overlap and side-impact crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS ). Given the SUV’s popularity, hopefully Nissan will figure out a way to improve it in future models.
