2013 Nissan Rogue Review
2013 Nissan Rogue Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+169
Used Rogue for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Smooth ride
- capable handling
- quick acceleration
- high-quality cabin
- comfortable front seats.
Cons
- Short on cargo room and versatility
- CVT causes engine drone
- lacks V6 option
- poor rearward visibility.
What’s new
The Nissan Rogue carries over unchanged for 2013, with some previously optional features now included as standard.
Edmunds says
Although some newer competitors might prove more desirable overall, the 2013 Nissan Rogue still is a solid choice for a small crossover.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2013 Nissan Rogue S 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$173/mo for Rogue S
Rogue S
vs
$201/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
It's increasingly hard to stand apart in the competitive class of small crossover utility vehicles, but credit Nissan's designers and engineers for infusing the 2013 Nissan Rogue with interior refinement, sharp styling and agile road handling, and making it one of the more distinctive choices in the group.
Based on the previous-generation Sentra sedan, the Nissan Rogue offers the sharper handling dynamics of a compact sedan with the versatility and cargo space of a small crossover. The high-quality finish of the dash, doors and seats gives the Rogue an upscale feel you won't find in many others in the segment.
That's not to say the Rogue is faultless. There's neither a manual or conventional automatic transmission available, and instead your only choice is a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that makes the whole powertrain drone tediously while cruising at highway speeds. And unlike its competitors, the Rogue doesn't offer an optional V6. This isn't a deal-breaker, as the Rogue's four-cylinder yields acceptable power, but it affects performance when the Rogue is fully loaded. The Rogue's rear seat neither slides nor reclines, which limits its ability to tote growing family members. Also, the same curvaceous styling that makes the Rogue look so distinctive also limits rearward visibility and maximum cargo capacity.
There are many great choices for a small crossover this year. The redesigned Ford Escape provides perhaps the most formidable alternative, with a fresher look and an equally engaging drive. The Kia Sportage is another sporty choice, while the freshly revised Honda CR-V and ever-popular Toyota RAV4 offer more cargo space. Buyers shopping in this class should spend time with several candidates, as all have specific strengths and quirks. But for a nicely appointed crossover that drives like a quick, small car, the 2013 Nissan Rogue is a solid pick.
Performance & mpg
The 2013 Nissan Rogue is available with either front- or all-wheel drive. It's powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. With its CVT, a front-wheel-drive Rogue took just 8.6 seconds to reach 60 mph in Edmunds testing -- quick for a four-cylinder crossover.
The Rogue's fuel economy is on par with the competition. The front-wheel-drive Rogue has EPA estimates of 23 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined, while the AWD variant drops slightly to 22/27/24 mpg.
Safety
The Rogue comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.
In government frontal crash tests, the Rogue earned four (out of five) stars for overall crash protection, with four stars for overall frontal-impact protection and five stars for side impacts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Rogue its highest rating of "Good" for frontal offset and side-impact protection and a second-best "Acceptable" for roof-strength integrity.
In Edmunds brake testing, the Rogue decelerated from 60 to zero mph in a fairly short 121 feet.
Driving
The promise of crossovers lies in SUV versatility with passenger-car manners. The 2013 Nissan Rogue does one better; it drives like a car with capable handling. Road bumps and imperfections are absorbed with ease, highway stability is exemplary and handling is aided by good body control and one of the best-feeling steering systems in the class. Four-cylinder power is adequate enough, but the CVT's constant drone at full throttle can tax ears and nerves.
Interior
You don't expect the sort of interior refinement you find in the 2013 Nissan Rogue from most compact crossovers. Comfortable seats, intuitive controls and high-quality materials are just a few of the cabin's highlights. A substantial center console bin, massive glovebox and clever under-floor organizer make up for a dearth of at-hand storage nooks, however.
You won't find a very fancy or versatile rear seat, however. Unlike many competitors, the Rogue's rear seats don't recline or slide fore and aft, nor is there a center armrest. With the seatbacks upright, there are 28.9 cubic feet of storage, average for the class. Folding the seats yields 59.7 cubes, still less than competitors. But a fold-down front passenger seat (a standard feature on the SV) opens up a length of 8.5 feet front to rear, allowing for items like ladders, lumber, surfboards and snowboards.
2013 Nissan Rogue models
The 2013 Nissan Rogue is a five-passenger small crossover SUV available in two trim levels: S and SV.
The base S comes standard with 16-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, folding side mirrors, cruise control, a tilt (but non-telescoping) steering wheel, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, a trip computer and a four-speaker sound system with a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack and an iPod interface.
The Special Edition package available for the Rogue S adds 16-inch alloy wheels, foglights, rear privacy glass, a 4.3-inch-display audio screen, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, an upgraded six-speaker sound system with a USB/iPod interface, steering wheel audio controls and satellite radio.
Most of those features are standard on the Rogue SV. In addition, it gains 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, keyless ignition/entry, upgraded upholstery, a six-way power driver seat (with power lumbar adjustment) and a fold-down front passenger seat.
The SV also offers two optional packages. The Premium Edition bundles automatic headlights, a sunroof, automatic climate control, a navigation system with real-time traffic updates and an upgraded Bose audio system. The SL package goes further, adding 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic xenon headlights, foglights, heated side mirrors, leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a 360-degree camera view, a navigation system with a 5-inch touchscreen display and an eight-speaker Bose audio system with a subwoofer.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent
#9 out of 29 among Compact SUVs
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Nissan Rogue from 2008-2022.$456/yr
vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Frequency
The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).0.88x/yr
vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Severity
The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).10.2%
vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
powered by RepairPal Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2013 Nissan Rogue.
5 star(16%)
4 star(15%)
3 star(16%)
2 star(20%)
1 star(33%)
61 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
1 out of 5 stars
Transmission Overheat and Failure
Kirk, 08/04/2016
2013 Nissan Rogue S 4dr SUV AWD (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
2013 Rogue, Vin ….638061
Transmission failed at 62,135 miles. Overheated. No prior problems or repairs. Dealership recommendation is replace transmission and add an transmission cooler. Sold in Georgia operated in Georgia and needs a transmission cooler to continue to operate in Georgia?! Escalated to Nissan regional but will not cover it. Nissan has had an endemic problem with … prior year model across multiple models that is clearly continuing. I have owned multiple Nissan products for close to 30-years that I have happy with, but no more. Lifetime customer lost.
WILL NOT BUY OR RECOMMEND NISSAN!!
1 out of 5 stars
I'm expecting to an accident soon
ailinmmm, 07/21/2016
2013 Nissan Rogue S 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
I purchased a pre-owned 2013 Nissan Rouge S eight months ago, the car now has 79k miles on it and the transmission has issues...after driving the car for an hour when i get to a stop sign or intersection, the car does not accelerate no matter how hard i hit the gas pedal...supposedly it goes to a fail safe mode. The car makes loud whining noise on a steep hill, the car kicks shifting … from 1st to 2nd gear...I almost got into an accident yesterday, because when the light turned green and i tried to move, the car wasn't moving, the car behind me hit the breaks so hard and started honking and cussing me for not moving...not my fault. I've contacted the consumer affairs, waiting for their specialist's phone call. The car is out of warranty and my VIN does not fall under the extended warrantly. I took the car to an authorized nissan service center and they confirmed the issue is the cvt tranny. It's my first time owning a nissan and i am very disappointed. I cannot afford to pay 5k to replace the tranny, this is the cost according to nissan service center. Does it have to take someone to get in an accident, a lawsuit for nissan to get its act together????? whoever has the same CVT issues, please keep us posted. Thanks,
1 out of 5 stars
Don't take a trip more than an hour and a half fro
Dan, 04/19/2016
2013 Nissan Rogue SV 4dr SUV w/SL Package (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
Transmission is terrible. The car will not exceed 60 mph after driving it for more than an hour and a half, and good luck going anywhere that you may encounter a slight hill or mountain. IT WILL NOT GO ROGUE!
3 out of 5 stars
The Transmission Should Be Trashed
Unhappy Purchaser, 01/28/2016
2013 Nissan Rogue S 4dr SUV (2.5L 4cyl CVT)
On a cold winter trip, the 2013 Rogue had only 56,000 miles on it, the engine light went on. The car had been super sluggish going up hills..I thought it was the 3 suitcases bogging it down. It had been sluggish on a previous trip also. I had read reviews that the car was noisy, just thought it wasn't a well made car. I was right. Made it 142 miles to the nearest Nissan dealer. … Transmission was shot. They replaced the tranny, radiator and added an external cooling system for the transmission. Nissan already has a fix-it kit for the transmission. There is a problem with the design of the transmission. It gets too hot and burns up the fluid and then the transmission. No steep grades for more than 6 miles I've read. Really? How can you go anywhere? So if your car is sluggish, it's the transmission. The earlier models, Nissan changed the warranty to 100,000 miles but for the 2013, it's only 60,000 mile warranty.
2013 Rogue Highlights
S
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $20,310 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $173/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 28.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Rogue include:
- Back-up camera
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver4 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverall5 / 5
- Side Barrier RatingOverall5 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront Seat5 / 5Back Seat5 / 5
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of Rollover19.8%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestAcceptable
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
People who viewed this also viewed
4.3 average Rating out of 110 reviews. |
Starting at $29,500 |
4.3 average Rating out of 11 reviews. |
Starting at $30,300 |
4.2 average Rating out of 20 reviews. |
Starting at $28,675 |
Related Used 2013 Nissan Rogue info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Lincoln MKC 2020
- Used Lincoln Continental 2017
- Used Lexus RX 350L 2019
- Used Lincoln Continental 2018
- Used Lexus RX 400H 2017 For Sale
Shop similar models
- Used Toyota Corolla-cross
- Used Mitsubishi Outlander-sport
- Used GMC Terrain
- Used Chevrolet Equinox
- Used Buick Encore-gx
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Nissan Rogue 2010
- Used Nissan Rogue 2019 For Sale
- Used Nissan Rogue 2013 For Sale
- Used Nissan Rogue 2012
- Used Nissan Rogue 2018
- Used Nissan Rogue 2014
- Used Nissan Rogue 2016
- Used Nissan Rogue 2015
- Used Nissan Rogue 2017
- Used Nissan Rogue 2011
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport
- 2024 BMW 3 Series
- 2024 Audi Q5
- Mclaren Solus GT
- 2025 Honda CR-V News
- 2023 Grand Cherokee L
- SQ5
- 2023 Lincoln Nautilus
- 2023 Porsche Cayenne
- Hyundai Kona 2023
Research other models of Nissan
- Nissan Armada 2023
- Nissan Sentra
- Nissan Nissan Murano
- 2023 Nissan Rogue
- Nissan Altima
- Nissan Versa
- Nissan Kicks
- Nissan Nissan Pathfinder
- GTR
- Nissan Maxima V6 For Sale
Research similar vehicles
- Escalade V
- Land Rover Defender 2024
- Toyota Rav 4 Prime
- Rangerover
- Honda Pilot SUV
- 15 Grand Cherokee
- Chevrolet Tahoe V8
- Subaru Forester
- Mazda CX 5
- Hyundai Palisades
Other models
- Used GMC Safari-Cargo in Tupelo, MS
- Used Volkswagen Tiguan in Fernandina Beach, FL
- Used Volvo V40 in Montclair, CA
- Used GMC Safari-Cargo in Sammamish, WA
- Used Dodge Ram-Pickup-2500 in Dallas, GA
- Used GMC Sierra-2500 in Manchester, TN
- New Cadillac XT4 for Sale in Woodstock, IL
- Used Honda CR-V in Maple Valley, WA
- Used Pontiac G5 in West Springfield, MA
- Used Dodge Viper in Beaufort, SC