TheCarConnection Says 2024 Nissan Rogue Improvements Make It A Great Value For Families

The Rogue is Nissan’s entry into the compact crossover segment, which is the best-selling category in the U.S. market. It is, by far, Nissan’s best-selling model, and in 2023, it was the 9th best-selling model in the U.S., just under the Toyota Camry. This is an important model for Nissan, and it has been evident to us at Nissan of Rochester that the brand has devoted plenty of time and resources to keep it more than competitive. TheCarConnection automotive website took a look at the improvements to the 2024 model and found, “It’s all fine and good.” This competitive edge of the 2024 Nissan Rogue makes it a smart choice for potential buyers.

The author prefaced that thought with more detail: “Good infotainment upgrades, smooth transmission, it’s gotten quieter, and it’s one of the bigger compact crossovers.” He further states: “It does just about everything well without standing out in any one category.” That isn’t faint praise. Being an all-rounder that is good at everything is just what most compact crossover shoppers are looking for. 

Powertrain Innovation

Where the Rogue truly shines is in its drivetrain. All Rogues are equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine. While Honda, Ford, and Chevrolet competitors also use a turbo 1.5-liter engine, the Rogue’s engine stands out with its superior power. Producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, it outperforms the standard engines of the models mentioned above, plus the larger standard engines of the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Mazda CX-5, Subaru Forester, and Volkswagen Tiguan. Even the RAV4, with two more horsepower, falls short with over 40 fewer lb-ft of torque.

Part of Nissan’s secret is in its exclusive variable compression technology. It addresses an issue with all turbo engines. Without a turbocharger, a higher compression ratio produces more power for the fuel used. Picture a spring. The more you compress a spring, the harder it will spring back. However, turbochargers force the air-fuel mixture into the cylinder, adding their own compression. To keep the engines from knocking, manufacturers dial back the compression. Nissan’s variable compression technology reduces the compression when the turbo is very active, such as during acceleration. Then, it raises it when the turbo is calm, such as during steady cruising. The result is greater power without using more fuel, leading to the Rogue with AWD getting a 28 city / 34 highway / 31 combined EPA fuel rating.

Also assisting in that economy is the Rogue’s continuously variable transmission (CVT). A CVT works a bit like a multi-speed bicycle, where you change gears by switching to a larger or smaller gear in the front or back of the chain. Except on a CVT, instead of multiple gears, the gears steadily grow and shrink in diameter, and it is all handled by electronics. Subaru may have been the first to market a CVT, but Nissan took the idea and ran with it. It’s a great technology for efficiency, but their different behavior from a standard transmission has put some people off. TheCarConnection found the Rogue’s CVT to be far more refined than CVTs of the past: “Nissan has dramatically improved the CVT, so much so that the paddle shifters mimicking seven gear shifts could be mistaken for a traditional automatic.”

New Cabin Technology

The new Google Built-In operating system behind the 12.3-inch touchscreen on the SL and Platinum models will be more immediately apparent to compact c

rossover shoppers. A first for Nissan, the system behaves much like a smartphone with an easy-to-operate menu, Siri-like understanding of voice commands, a built-in Google Maps navigation app, and downloadable access to other Google-friendly apps. If you want actual smartphone interaction, there is wireless Google CarPlay® and Android Auto™. 

Goldilocks-Approved Size

Finally, there is the Rogue’s generous size, which TheCarConnection describes as slotting between the smaller RAV4 and larger CR-V. The Rogues’ overall passenger volume actually beats both those models but does fit between them with its maximum cargo space of 74 cubic feet and 39 inches of rear legroom.

With the exception of the Google built-in system, everything above applies to all Rogue models, which is likely why TheCarConnection sums up its review with “its overall package and value should be important for shoppers.”  Regarding the value part, the Rogue has a starting MSRP of $28,850 and $30,350 with AWD. The range extends to $40,630 for a Rogue Platinum with AWD.

If you are considering a compact crossover, the Rogue must be on your list. To find out more, visit Nissan of Rochester, where we will do everything we can to ensure that you love what you drive.