Nissan Rogue SV AWD 2021 review
A Complete precise Nissan Rogue SV AWD 2021 review in detail which includes from engine, external design and their dynamics, internal equipment and features.
What is it?
The Nissan Rogue five-seat SUV is the company’s best-selling vehicle in the United States and Canada, competing against the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. It’s better known to Autocar readers as the X-Trail, which is offered in Europe with a variety of powertrains and a seven-seat option.
For 2021, Nissan will introduce a completely new Rogue in North America, based on the revised CMF-C platform from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. This new generation will arrive in the UK in summer 2022 as an X-Trail with a folding third-row option.
The Rogue is 38mm shorter and a smidge lower than its predecessor, which is unusual for a new model. Information like the gently sloping roofline and kicked-up C-pillar are carried over from the previous edition, but the front end is notably more squared-off than before.
A 2.5-litre direct-injection petrol 4-cylinder engine is standard on any Rogue. This latest engine offers minor power and torque gains over the previous model, but it will not be available in UK X-Trails, which are currently limited to smaller-capacity petrol and diesel turbos. The Rogue will get an ePower hybrid in the 2022 X-Trails, but it hasn’t been verified yet. While all-wheel drive is standard on 75% of Rogues sold in Canada, including our SV-spec test car, front-wheel drive is also available and is likely to be the more common choice among UK buyers.
What’s it like?
The new design is clearer than before, but it isn’t as recognisable (or as polarising) as a Toyota RAV4. The on-trend Boulder Grey paint complements the darker, UV-cutting glasshouse, angled LED lamps, and running lights on the test car.
The grey cabin of our SV might have used a splash of colour, but it still looked stylish. While some drivers can find the front seat backs to be a little narrow, the interior is well put together and the leatherette seats are comfortable. Rear-seat passengers can appreciate the ample head and legroom, as well as the spacious boot.
The key controls are conveniently placed. Instead of being incorporated into the 9.0in touchscreen, HVAC switches are held as traditional buttons on the dashboard. The screen is bigger than before and now sits atop the dash, allowing it to be seen more easily by the driver. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Google Maps with voice recognition are all supported by the infotainment system.
The Rogue’s on-road performance has been improved thanks to improvements to the CMF-C platform. Electric steering assistance is now available on the rack rather than the column. That change is generally for the better, and the Rogue is no exception. Its remarkably sharp steering avoids the over-assistance trap and offers more credible competition in the feel department than ever.
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Meanwhile, the suspension has been stiffened, and a new multi-link rear suspension has been added. The improvements, once again, help to improve dynamic results. Over rough terrain, the Rogue is composed and does a decent job of controlling roll, pitch, and heave. It’s a shame, then, that the Hankook all-seasons on 18in rims produce too much tyre noise. Notice that X-Trails sold in Europe will have their suspension retuned to suit local tyres and preferences.
The engine is uninspiring, but it produces enough torque when you need it, and the CVT isn’t as noisy as others. A new electronic shifter provides gear selection, freeing up storage space under a ‘floating’ centre console. Sport mode uses steering-wheel paddles to create artificial moves in the CVT, as well as a sharper throttle and heavier steering. Even during our April test week, the AWD’s Snow mode proved to be more useful in Canada.
Should I buy one?
The X-exact Trail’s specifications are yet to be released, but the Rogue gives us a clear idea of what to expect when it arrives in the UK next year.
On this proof, the ride and handling should be an improvement over the outgoing model, and the overall package should provide Nissan with a stronger challenger in a class brimming with well-sorted competition, particularly with the ePower hybrid drivetrain.
