Nissan’s 2025 Rogue – ALL ACCESS

Nissan’s 2025 Rogue

ALL ACCESS

Agile, quiet, and versatile, the 2025 Nissan Rogue, with prices ranging from $29,000 to $41,000, is a well-rounded, fuel-efficient, and dependable compact SUV tailored to the needs of families and young professionals.

The Rogue first entered the market in 2007. With the third generation in its fifth year of production, Nissan seems to have worked out the bugs. The Rogue gets above-average grades for reliability from multiple sources, including Consumer Reports, which put it on its recommended list for the past two years.

Now may be an ideal time to shop for a Rogue. For many reasons, Nissan is struggling, and Rogues are oversupplied. Nissan has a 143-day stock sitting on dealer lots around the country. That is more than twice the supply for competitors like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4.

Nissan dealers in this region are offering 8% to 10% off list price. That is a nice starting point, but it is worth sitting down and asking for even more off. Key competitors like the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are also well above optimal inventory levels. 

Unlike Nissan, most rivals in this class offer hybrid options, which translates to improved fuel economy and durability. The Rogue, however, is no gas hog. Its 1.5-L, turbocharged, variable-compression engine, mated to a continuously variable transmission, delivered close to 30 mpg the week we drove it. 

We had an AWD version, which takes 1-2 mpg off the average (roof racks and off-road tires deduct far more). With a 14.2-gallon tank, the Rogue goes a solid 500 miles between fill-ups with regular unleaded gas.

The drivetrain was one of the things we liked best about this car. Yes, yes, the brain surgeons/ infectious disease experts/ mechanical engineers who populate the Interwebs say CVTs are yet another sign of social decay. And yes, when Nissan first dipped its toe into the technology, it made errors, but that was in the past. There is nothing inherently wrong with them. Avoid hooking a cabin cruiser to the back, pay attention to the maintenance schedule, and they last as long as any other transmission.

The strength of CVTs is that they are lighter and shift smoother than a Mercedes S-Class. We found the Rogue pleasingly responsive, whether taking off from a stop light or shooting around a log truck in a short passing zone on a mountainous highway.

Cabin

The Rogue’s cabin offers a modern layout with quality materials and assembly. Zero Gravity seats provide excellent comfort for front and rear passengers, making long drives a breeze.

With available three-zone climate control and heated seats, every occupant remains cozy. Digital screens are user-friendly, featuring an 8-inch or 9-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and an available 10.8-inch head-up display. 

Charge ports, including USB and USB-C, keep everyone connected, while unique technology like the Divide-N-Hide cargo system maximizes cargo volume. Our phones hooked up almost instinctively.

Ride and handling

With independent suspension and an available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, the Rogue provides a smooth ride and easily manages various conditions. Nissan’s Active Ride Control system minimizes body roll, while Intelligent Trace Control enhances cornering. The chassis remains composed even when the car is pushed hard. That inspires confidence.

Safety

The 2025 Nissan Rogue earns an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating thanks to its solid structure and comprehensive safety features. 

Standard driver-assist technologies include automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Options like ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link, Traffic Jam Assist, and a 360-degree Surround View Camera enhance safety and make long drives less stressful.

We see significant variability in the functioning of different manufacturers’ driver-assist features. Lane-keep systems from domestic manufacturers, for example, ping-pong the vehicle between side markers before finally giving up and heading for the ditch. Those from Asia and Europe, on the other hand, keep the vehicle nicely balanced between the edges. Nissan’s systems consistently rank near the top.

Reliability

Predicted reliability ratings for the 2025 Rogue are above average. Nissan provides a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. 

We continue to be skeptical of small-displacement, extraordinarily complex internal combustion engines, so if you plan to keep a Rogue for more than five years, an extended warranty might be in order. Hint: These do not need to be acquired at time of purchase. When you do buy one, look to a third party, not a dealer who collects a commission from the insurer. Overall, however, minimal maintenance issues are reported for this generation Rogue.

Competition

Rogue battles in a hyper-competitive market niche. All these vehicles are on Consumer Reports’ recommended buy list:

• Toyota RAV4: Best-selling compact SUV, $28,850 – $47,735, best-in-class reliability. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid options offer best-in-class fuel economy. The cabin is noisier than others.
• Honda CR-V: Reputation for comfort, fuel efficiency, and resale value, priced from $30,100 – $41,100, lackluster base engine. And it now offers a hybrid.
• Hyundai Tucson: Strong value proposition, priced from $28,605-$47,340, bold design, available hybrid and plug-in hybrid, average resale value.
• Kia Sportage: Strong value proposition, like its cousin, Tucson. Priced from $27,390 – $38,920. And also offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.
• Buick Envision: Attractive styling, $36,500-$46,200, roomy cabin, standard safety features, below-average fuel economy.
• Mitsubishi Outlander: Distinctive design, priced from $26,945 – $50,345, optional third-row seating, average fuel economy, available plug-in hybrid is a hot seller, lower-quality interior materials.
• Mazda CX-5: Engaging driving dynamics, $28,570 – $40,600, premium cabin materials, below-average fuel economy, cramped rear seating and cargo area.

Bottom line

The 2025 Nissan Rogue is a strong contender in the compact SUV segment because of its style, comfort, fuel efficiency, safety, and reliability. If the price is right, it is a winner.