2018 Nissan Rogue

The 2018 Nissan Rogue gains a lot of multimedia and advanced safety technology this year, starting at an MSRP of $24,800. All Rogues get standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay while Nissan's ProPilot Assist, an advanced driver assistance system is available across the lineup. Nissan has removed the third-row seating, resulting in an abundance of cargo space.

The Nissan Rogue crossover offers an attractive cabin that is loaded with features. Also, the car has a five-year cost for gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance, estimated at $23,720, which is one of the lowest total cost of ownership costs among compact SUVs. However, some complaint about its underpowered powertrain. Let's go through the 2018 Nissan Rogue's expert review to find out.

The 2018 Nissan Rogue starts from a base price of $24,800 for the entry-level S trim. Next in line SV begins from $26,020 and the top-spec SL trim costs $31,180. All Rogue models come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a CVT and front-wheel-drivetrain. All-wheel drive is available as an option.

The Rogue Hybrid and the smaller Rogue Sport have been reviewed separately. Nissan equips the 2018 Rogue with an appealing number of standard technology and safety features, more than the rivals. Standard features on S trim include 17-inch steel wheels, 40/20/40-split folding rear seats, a rearview camera, a 7-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto smartphone integration, and more. 

We Recommend:

The mid-level SV is our recommendation for the best value Rogue model to buy. Starting just above $26,000, it comes with a hands-free power liftgate, push-button start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a six-speaker audio system. You can also equip your Rogue SV with the SV Sun and Sound Touring package, which includes navigation, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree parking camera, a panoramic moonroof, and a nine-speaker Bose premium stereo.

"Nissan’s adequate 170-horsepower inline-4 carries over in the 2018 Rogue, as does the Rogue Hybrid’s fuel-pinching gasoline/electric hybrid setup." – Kelley Blue Book

2018 Rogue Engine and Transmission

The 2018 Rogue’s base engine is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder rated at 170-horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The standard engine feels underpowered and is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is available as an option.

Nissan's CVT isn't impressive and tuned for efficiency. As you keep your right foot planted, the crossover takes a slight second to move ahead. For driving around the town, the 2018 Rogue is a good companion but on the highways, it feels sluggish, and overtaking or passing needs to be planned.

The Nissan Rogue does not stand out in the class, where offerings like CR-V and RAV-4 offer more power in a similar price range. However, Rogue's handling is well-mannered and has a balanced ride.

2018 Rogue 0-60 mph Acceleration

Rogue's base engine with 170 hp results in a 9.3 second 0-60 mph run, which is a sub-par acceleration time in the class. The Rogue gets adequate low-end torque but the power fades away as you catch speed. The CVT results in engine drones under hard acceleration and is more suitable for city-wide driving scenarios. 

With the four-cylinder engine, the Honda CR-V is the swiftest crossover. The Toyota RAV4 is also quicker than the Nissan Rogue, thanks to the more muscle it gets from its base engine. Also, the RAV4 allows more towing capacity when properly equipped than the Nissan. 

2018 Rogue Ride and Handling

The 2018 Rogue delivers a pleasantly smooth ride quality and sure-footed handling. It may not be sporty but has a little body roll around the corners. It is an easygoing crossover SUV that is enjoyable over a long journey. Steering is weighted on the haver side but is easy to turn. At slow speeds, the feedback is welcoming however on the freeway speeds it shouldn't be considered sporty. 

The Rogue rides smoothly over road imperfections and even with the large 18-inch wheels on the top-level SL trim, the ride quality is comfortable. The road and noise levels inside the car are acceptable. Nissan has added more sound insulation to cover the earlier mild thrumming of the engine due to the CVT. 

2018 Rogue Braking

In the emergency stopping test, the 2018 Nissan Rogue needed 124 feet to stop from 60 mph, which is an average performance in the class. Nissan equips the Rogue with 11.8 inches rotor in the front and 11.7 inches brake rotor in the rear. The pedal feels soft but is good enough to be predictable and linear..

At 117 feet, the Honda CR-V takes the least distance to stop from 60 mph, followed by the RAV4. With a full load, the Nissan Rogue's brakes do a decent job and there is nothing objectionable about this performance. 

As per EPA estimates, the front-wheel-drive Rogue returns outstanding fuel economy of 26 mpg city, 33 highway, 29 combined. The Nissan Rogue is less thirsty than most of its class rivals, thanks to its lighter weight and reduced mechanical complexity. With the all-wheel-drive option, the EPA ratings drop to 25/32 mpg city/highway.

For even better gas mileage, opt for the Rogue Hybrid that returns as much as 6 mpg higher than the standard version. The crossover's weak engine has an upside in terms of above-average fuel efficiency.

Among the competitors, Honda's CR-V also offers a frugal powertrain with a fuel economy of 28 mpg in combined driving situations. Although Toyota RAV4’s hybrid gives a better fuel economy (34 mpg) than Rogue’s hybrid (31 mpg), the combined mpg still favors Rogue with its highway economy (34 mpg) outshining RAV4’s (31 mpg).

First-rate materials line the 2018 Nissan Rogue’s cabin. Even where there are plastic surfaces, they are nicely sculpted and soft to the touch. The styling is modern and sleek, and everything is well-assembled.  – US News.com

2018 Rogue Seating and Comfort

The 2018 Nissan Rogue is now a five-seater, as the automaker has removed the cramped third row for good. With this change, the new Rogue is a comfortable vehicle for five that makes good use of its capacious cargo space. The seats are supportive and ample headroom will impress the occupants. The rear seats offer 9 inches of fore and aft adjustment, and the cabin features modern styling. 

Inside, the Rogue's cabin is handsome but the base S can feel a little common with its soft-touch plastic and black cloth fabric. Moving up to SV keeps the cloth but adds a power driver’s seat. Rogue SL goes with leather and offers snazzier options.

The interior design is ergonomic and all controls are placed in a logical manner. Nissan has also added standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto this year with a 7.0-inch touchscreen. The driver, however, might face some visibility issues due to these roomy seats, but the standard rearview camera and optional 360-degree camera system tackle that problem efficiently.

Interior Features

The standard interior features include:

• 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
• Four-speaker audio system
• Satellite radio and Bluetooth

2018 Rogue Infotainment System

All 2018 Rogue models get a standard 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system, along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. The touchscreen is stacked slightly far from the driver but the touchscreen is responsive and offers a straightforward menu.

There are physical buttons and knobs around the dashboard further makes it easy to adjust audio settings. A Bluetooth, a four-speaker audio system, and satellite radio also come standard while the top-range SL trims add a nine-speaker Bose premium audio system, HD Radio, and navigation.

2018 Rogue Cargo Capacity

At 39.3 cubes of cargo capacity behind the second row, the 2018 Rogue offers an impressive cargo space. Inside, the second row slides fore and aft to open up more cargo and it has a 40/20/40-split fold seatback. With this second row folded, the cargo expands to 70 cubic feet.

Moreover, there are a few storage bins below the cargo floor panel. Nissan also offers a unique configurable cargo area, but the power liftgate operates slowly. For interior storage, there are enough options including several small trays and pockets, and average-sized cupholders.

The Rogue may be much more show than go, but its front and rear styling are as sharp as ever. While we think its design is less compelling than the rest of Nissan’s current lineup, the Rogue’s sleek exterior lighting and Vmotion grille stand out. – Car and Driver

2018 Rogue Design and Dimensions

The Rogue has a tall body design and follows a modern theme, high beltline, and rugged styling. Its unpainted fender flares hint at the kind of sportiness while it isn't. The entry-level Rogue S trim has plastic hubcaps that look slightly cheap but SV and SL trim levels look snazzier with more chrome touches outside.

The Rogue’s standard 17-inch wheel setup delivers a soft ride, while the optional 18- and 19-inches compromise it slightly. Regardless of wheel choice, the Rogue’s ride is composed. Nissan also offers an optional Midnight Package on the SV trim that adds black trim covering the entire chrome and its 17-inch alloy wheels.

At 106.5 inches, the 2018 Nissan Rogue has a comfortable ride thanks to a relatively long wheelbase. The curb weight of the SUV ranges from 3,454 to 3,659 pounds, depending on the configuration. 

Exterior Features

Some features that stand out include:

• Power heated outside mirrors
• 19” aluminum alloy wheels
• Roof rails
• Motion activated tailgate (SV Premium Package)
• Panoramic sunroof (SV Sun and Sound touring Package)
• Midnight Edition in SV for dark colored features and black 17” wheels­

The Nissan Rogue is named 2018 Top Safety Pick and earned the highest rating of Good from the IIHS. In the front crash prevention, all Rogue trim levels received a rating of Superior. The Rogue SL comes equipped with a Premium package along with an automatic emergency braking system with pedestrian detection thus gets the second-highest rating of Acceptable for the headlights while all other trims received the lowest Poor rating.

In NHTSA crash tests, the Rogue earned an overall safety rating of four out of five stars, as well as four stars in frontal crash and rollover tests. For 2018 Nissan offers PropPilot assist as an available option across the lineup. The standard advanced safety features include:

• Rearview camera
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking

Available advanced safety features:

• Lane keep assist
• Pedestrian detection
• Adaptive cruise control
• 360-degree parking camera
• ProPilot Assist advanced driver assistance system.

2018 Nissan Rogue vs Honda CR-V

Both the 2018 Rogue and the 2018 Honda CR-V come with a fuel-efficient base engine and well-designed interior for the price. Even both the crossovers offer abundant space in the cargo but the CR-V has a slightly bigger boot. 

The standard engine in Honda is more powerful and offers an available turbocharged engine as an option. The CR-V is credited for its better safety score than the Rogue. However, the Rogue undercuts the Honda CR-V and offers more standard features. It's neck to neck between these two, and the best model will depend on your needs.

2018 Nissan Rogue vs Toyota RAV4

The 2018 Toyota RAV$ has more power than the Rogue and thus becomes a good option for those looking for more highway driving. The RAV4’s four-cylinder engine is more muscular, has quicker acceleration, and offers more towing ability when properly equipped.

The underpowered Rogue is decent and has better fuel economy numbers, Also, Rogue scores better for its upscale interiors and modern connectivity features like Apple Carplay and Android Auto which otherwise are missing in the Toyota. 

The 2018 Nissan Rogue is a good compact crossover that is credited for its long list of standard amenities and safety technology. This two-row SUV's sliding second-row seats provide good legroom and expansive cargo room. The ride is pleasant and the SUV is enjoyable to drive. Though the base engine feels underpowered on the highway conditions, the Rogue returns above-average fuel economy ratings.