2023 Nissan Rogue SV AWD Midnight Version
Class: Compact Crossover
Colour: Boulder Grey Pearl w/Tremendous Black
Miles pushed: 106
CG Report Card
Room and ComfortA
Energy and PerformanceB+
Match and FinishB+
Gas EconomyB+
ValueA
Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup.
Large & Tall Consolation
Large GuyA
Tall GuyA
Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester.
Drivetrain
Engine Specs201-hp 1.5-liter
Engine TypeTurbocharged 3-cylinder
Transmission CVT automated
Drive WheelsAWD
Noticed gasoline economic system: 27.8 mpg
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 28/35/31 (mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed)
Gas kind: Common fuel
Snow Efficiency: N/A
Base value: $30,550 (not together with $1295 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Splash guards ($210), two-tone paint ($745), Midnight Version Package deal ($1535), ground mats ($425), SV Premium Package deal ($2660)
Worth as examined: $37,420
Fast Hits
The nice: Basic refinement, house utilization, premium really feel
The nice: Journey and dealing with, acceleration, gasoline economic system
The not so good: Engine quake at idle
Tom Appel:
Nissan pulled a quick one when it launched the redesigned Rogue for 2021. The up to date compact crossover arrived that includes new a brand new design, up to date cabin, and a bunch of recent security and expertise options. About the one component of the Rogue that wasn’t new was the engine. Carried over was a 181-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that was usually thought-about by the Shopper Information workers to be “sufficient.” In actual fact, the engine was in all probability the least compelling element of the brand new crossover.
The 2021 Rogue was very properly acquired by consumers, and remained Nissan’s best-selling mannequin by a big margin. Shopper Information would title the Rogue a Greatest Purchase choose within the compact crossover class; which was one in all many awards the car can be bestowed. Right here’s the humorous half…
After all of the launch fervor had died down, Nissan quietly changed the Rogue’s huge 4-cylinder engine with a 201-horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder mill. And by quietly, I imply the change in engines was not talked about in promoting, and examples of the Rogue with the brand new powerplant weren’t made out there to the media, at the least not for some time.
Now, if shopping for a car powered by a 3-cylinder engine offers you pause, it in all probability ought to. Examples of the configuration now come commonplace within the Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX, and in each instances the engine performs properly, however idles with a quake, and shudders when began and stopped.
Equally, the 3-cylinder engines discovered within the Ford Escape and Bronco Sport and powerful sufficient, however lack the smoothness and normal refinement of 4-cylinder examples of the identical automobiles. So, it’s no surprise that Nissan needed to maintain mum in regards to the under-hood switcheroo.
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Right here’s the rub: Nissan’s new 3-cylinder engine—that includes the maker’s VC-Turbo variable-compression-ratio expertise—is a lot stronger and extra environment friendly than the outdated engine, there’s no actual draw back to the swap. Whereas the outdated 4 was debatable a bit extra refined at instances, the 3-cylinder’s energy and effectivity greater than makes up for a bit idle roughness. Observe that Nissan doesn’t point out that the brand new engine is a 3-cylinder unit on the Monroney sticker, noting solely the engine’s displacement. A bit shady for those who requested us.
However we actually just like the Rogue, and we like—truly desire—the brand new engine as properly. Odds are, you’ll too.
For 2023, the Rogue is obtainable in 5 trim ranges, or simply 4, relying on the way you rely them. For the frugal, there’s the entry degree S, which begins at $29,055 together with vacation spot cost. Subsequent up is the is the favored SV trim degree, which begins at $30,745. The well-equipped SL begins at $35,205. The lineup peaks with the luxury-level Platinum, which begins at $38,635. In the event you’re searching for some foul-weather traction, AWD is on the market on each trim degree for $1500.
New for 2023 is the Rogue Midnight Version, a enjoyable, sporty, sleek-looking addition to the lineup positioned in value and content material between the SV and SL. Although Nissan treats the Midnight Version as a singular trim degree on its web site, the window sticker tells a unique story. Per the sticker accompanying our check car, the Midnight Version is definitely a $1535 package deal on the SV. Irrespective of, because the black grille trim, black wheels, black mirror caps, and distinctive badging create a Rogue that’s in look fairly not like the opposite fashions within the lineup.
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Shopper Information not too long ago spent every week with an AWD 2023 Nissan Rogue Midnight Version with extra-cost two-tone paint and the SV Premium package deal. Right here’s our take:
Greater than most compact crossovers, the Rogue makes wonderful use of house, offering each front- and rear-seat passengers with loads of stretch-out room. As soon as inside, of us will discover a well-appointed cabin, even in midlevel trim. The “PrimaTex” seating surfaces are convincingly leatherlike, really feel good, and current properly.
We discovered the touchscreen digital interface easy to make use of and responsive to the touch. The display itself will not be particularly massive by modern requirements, however is large enough, and straightforward to learn. We additionally need to thank Nissan for together with an precise bodily knob for radio-station tuning.
Underway we discovered the Rogue a reliable handler with wonderful journey management and a notably quiet cabin. With out hyperbole we are able to say that the Rogue comes near serving up a luxury-level journey expertise, even in additional reasonably priced configurations. Plus, the aforementioned engine isn’t heard, although does sound a bit coarse during times of spirited acceleration.
And, about that engine: There loads of energy for passing and merging, and Rogue’s preliminary throttle response is nearly spunky, making for simple and helpful acceleration in visitors and stop-and-go circumstances. And, talking of stop-and-go driving, Nissan’s ProPilot system does a high-quality job of lowering driver fatigue in heavy visitors. Sure, you must preserve your fingers on the wheel, however you don’t must preserve shuffling between the fuel and brake pedal, and that’s a beautiful factor.
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Again to the 3-cylinder engine: In principally metropolis driving, we averaged 27.8 mpg. This compares favorably to the 26.2 return we noticed in a 2021 Rogue Platinum geared up with the outdated 4-cylinder engine. As we famous earlier, there is no such thing as a actual draw back to the brand new engine.
Except you’ve gotten a strong aversion to odd cylinder counts, the Nissan Rogue is, and stays, top-of-the-line choices within the extremely aggressive compact-crossover phase. We’re most impressed by the spacious cabin and total refinement, however there’s a robust worth argument to be made right here as properly. As for the Midnight Version Package deal, $1535 doesn’t appear to be an excessive amount of cash to spend for those who’re searching for a bit sportiness and visible distinctiveness. We are saying go for it.
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2023 Nissan Rogue Midnight Version Gallery
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