Trucks And SUVs Truck and SUV Reviews and News
Why so popular?
Behold, the current best-selling compact crossover in North America. Now that is a HUGE statement. Between the Ford Escape, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, there was no way any other would-be wee-CUV could ever break through this impenetrable trifecta. Boom, it’s done. The question is why? And well, how?
The more mileage I put on the Rogue, an SL with Platinum package, the more it all became clear. This compact, yet big, crossover is not good or bad at anything. Styling-wise, it does the job. It’s no looker but stands out more than a Subaru Forester, but is overdone compared the Mazda CX-5, for example.
On the inside, it’s hit or miss too. The trunk (without the 3rd row) is disappointingly narrow as my stroller would not fit without a part being removed – it does however slide nicely into a Toyota RAV4 or VW Golf Sportwagen. The 2nd row is capacious, like the previous two cars as is the front row. Ergonomics are previous generation much like the HMI and connectivity setup. But, in the end, it all works.
On the road, the Rogue is loud. The CVT’s better than it was but it and the 170-horsepower 2.5-litre 4-pot do not make performance, or driving pleasure. When loaded with stroller, gear, baby and parents, passing on the highway is something of a chore. The ride’s decent, the brakes do their job while the cool steering wheel does its best to control the front wheels.
I get the impression that the brilliant engineers at Nissan averaged the entire segment out and when they designed the 2014 (current gen), they made sure they hit the median on all counts. This ensures that there are no serious letdowns while most important needs are met.
In truth, it is becoming increasingly difficult to excel at one thing, compromising something else. Nissan’s nailed the average, making their Rogue extremely popular.
