2012 Nissan Rogue
by Jim Prueter

Rogue, Nissan’s compact crossover utility vehicle, is now in its fourth year of production. Rogue received a mid-cycle refreshening in 2011, including tweaks to the exterior, new color choices, and the addition of new features like Bluetooth, navigation, and a rearview backup camera.

The 2012 Nissan Rogue comes in three trim levels: base S, SV, and SV-SL. Front or all-wheel drive is available, and all models have a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission. No V-6 is available.

Even with all-wheel drive, Rogue is meant as a daily commuter, not an off-road vehicle, and is more carlike in the ride and handling. But the suspension can become harsh on rough and uneven road surfaces with pronounced engine and road noise transferring into the cabin. Towing capacity is just 1,500 pounds.

All 2012 models gain a Sport switch. A new Special Edition package is available, which includes steering-wheel audio controls, a backup camera, a USB port, satellite radio, and fog lights. Rogue remains otherwise unchanged from 2011.

Outside, Rouge is generally attractive, but competitors like Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Mitsubishi Outlander, and newly redesigned Honda CR-V are much more cutting edge. Rogue is better matched against the Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4.

Rogue’s welcoming interior seats up to five passengers. The center console is unusually wide, limiting legroom. The console has two integrated cupholders and a small tray for holding a cell phone or other odds and ends. The glove box is exceptionally large with a removable partition, allowing drivers to customize the space as needed.

Rogue got a new instrument panel in 2011, and we thought the layout made the gauges easier to read, with a more upscale look than earlier Rogue models. The panel is soft material, and the door tops are a pleasing soft-touch material, instead of the hard plastic you’ll find in many competitors.

The driver’s seat is comfortable, accommodating drivers of most sizes. There’s good forward visibility through the windshield, but small rear and side windows don’t offer the same views.

At 182.9 inches long and 70.9 inches wide, the exceptionally roomy Rogue is larger than both RAV4 and CR-V. The rear cargo area is rather small, but can expand out to almost 58 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down. The front passenger seat also folds down so longer objects can fit neatly inside.
Hooks to hang grocery bags on the back of the passenger seat and in the rear cargo area are a nice touch. I also liked the little partition that pops up from under the rear floor to keep groceries from sliding around. That hidden compartment has three dividers that can be removed and washed.

The Rogue is built on the bones of a Nissan Sentra. While the ride and handling can’t be considered sporty, it is one of the better-handling compact crossover vehicles in its class. It still has more noticeable body lean in turns and cornering than most cars.

For 2012, we tested the all-wheel drive SV. While the ride was generally comfortable, uneven pavement and bumpy road surfaces are noticeable in the cabin through jolts. There is also more road and engine noise than we’d expect.

The all-wheel drive, what Nissan calls “Intuitive,” distributes the driving torque between the front and rear wheels as needed, and should prove especially beneficial in areas with snow and icy road conditions. All-wheel drive is available on all Rogue trim levels for $1,250.

Standard safety equipment includes driver and passenger airbags, front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental airbags, and roof-mounted curtain side-impact airbags. Four-wheel antilock brakes, vehicle dynamic stability and traction control, electronic brake force distribution, and brake assist also are standard.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration gave four out of a possible five stars for both the 2012 front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive Rogue models. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety did not crash test the 2012 Rogue. However, the nearly identical 2011 model received the highest possible “Good” rating for frontal and side impact test results and their second highest result, “Acceptable,” for roof strength.

Overall, we found the Rogue to be a generally fun compact crossover well equipped with safety features and a nice interior. Its appearance doesn’t break any new ground like, for example, the Kia Sportage or Hyundai Tucson, and it isn’t available with third-row seats or a V-6 engine, yet it does offer all-wheel drive, the price is reasonable, and it does have surprisingly ample cargo capacity. We think it’s a good choice for drivers looking for a comfortable, affordable vehicle that handles more like a car and than a utility vehicle.