2021 Nissan Rogue Sport
| MSRP | $25,385 |
|---|---|
| What others are paying | $26,360 |
- 8 Colors
- 3 Trims
2021 Nissan Rogue Sport Review
- Cargo space is impressive for the class
- Small size means good maneuverability in tight city spaces
- Lots of available driving aids and tech
- Engine is underpowered and noisy
- Bumpy ride when equipped with optional 19-inch wheels
- Front seats aren't comfortable on long trips
- Base S trim comes with 17-inch wheels
- Heated front seats and steering wheel, foglights and more now standard on SV
- Part of the first Rogue Sport generation introduced for 2017
Don't let the name fool you. The 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport isn't the "sporty" edition of its namesake, at least not by any performance measure. The Rogue Sport has a smaller, less powerful engine than the larger Nissan Rogue. It also doesn't inspire any more appreciable driving thrill. But weighed against its competitors, the Rogue Sport makes a compelling case. It offers good head- and legroom for tall passengers, cargo space is ample, and it comes with an impressive array of advanced driver aids. It also cuts a sharp figure at rest.
But the Rogue Sport also forces some compromises. The underpowered engine can make highway entrances and lane changes a cautious affair. The seats, too, quickly turn uncomfortable on longer trips. We don't consider these deal-breakers overall but urge buyers to also consider other extra-small crossover SUVs such as the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul. For more on our take on the 2021 Rogue Sport, check out the categories of our Expert Rating below.
Our verdict | |
We like that the Rogue Sport comes with a lot of advanced safety features as standard equipment. The spacious cabin and generous cargo room are nice too. But on the downside, the Rogue Sport is one of the slowest vehicles in its class. It also has an uncomfortable ride on city streets and is generally underwhelming to drive. | |
How does the Rogue Sport drive? | |
The Rogue Sport isn't sporty, but it is competent and stable when guided through corners. The steering is vague and lifeless, but otherwise this SUV is easy to maneuver in traffic and tight parking lots. The brakes are well tuned and allow for smooth stops. Alas, the Rogue Sport falters in the "need for speed" department. It's one of the slowest choices available in the subcompact SUV class. In our testing, 0-60 mph acceleration took a lethargic 10.2 seconds. That's about what you get from a Toyota Prius and means that passing on the highway takes careful planning. | |
How comfortable is the Rogue Sport? | |
The Rogue Sport is below average in terms of comfort. On the positive side, we appreciate the availability of dual-zone automatic climate control and rear air vents. Its optional heated steering wheel is a rare offering in this class too. Otherwise, we're let down by the Rogue Sport's cabin and road manners. The stiff suspension tuning results in a rough ride over most city streets, though the ride on the highway is more acceptable. Seat comfort and support are also lacking. Wind and road noise is reasonably suppressed, but engine noise is prominent while accelerating. | |
How’s the interior? | |
The Rogue Sport offers spacious seating. Headroom is generous all around, and though legroom is naturally limited given the vehicle's small size, four adults should fit with ease. Visibility out of the front and side is also good thanks to the tall windows and narrow roof pillars. The seating position is fairly natural, and only tall drivers will notice the wheel is positioned a bit low. Regardless of seating position, the dashboard controls seem a little far away. They are clearly labeled, however, and only the buttons on the steering wheel feel small. The tall doors and a low step-over height make it easy to get in and out of both rows. | |
How’s the tech? | |
The Rogue Sport's standard driver safety aids, which include blind-spot monitoring, automatic front and rear emergency braking, and lane departure warning, help its score quite a bit. Those features, along with the optional adaptive cruise control and 360-degree parking camera system, are rare at this price point. It has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, now standard in this class, along with two USB ports. Audio quality and center-screen resolution are weak links. The SL's six-speaker Bose audio system distorts sound at upper volumes, though the subwoofer delivers good bass. The touchscreen isn't exactly small but can seem so because it's located far away from the driver. Resolution is low, which makes seeing displayed information more difficult. | |
How’s the storage? | |
The Rogue Sport has up to 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, a solid figure. Fold the seats down and you've got one of the biggest cargo areas in the extra-small SUV class. In-cabin storage for small items is less stellar. Two cupholders, a medium-size center console, and long but skinny door pockets are average for the class. The rear door pockets are a little too small and struggle to hold a standard water bottle. There are lower anchor points for installing child safety seats in the rear outboard seating positions. Forward-facing seats should fit fine, but you'll have to slide the front seats up some for rear-facing car seats. | |
How’s the fuel economy? | |
The Rogue Sport is underpowered and there's no real upside for fuel economy. We tested a front-wheel-drive Rogue Sport, which the EPA estimates gets 28 mpg combined (25 city/32 highway). With all-wheel drive, that drops to 27 mpg combined (24 city/30 highway). Either way this is a little below average for this class. | |
Is the Rogue Sport a good value? | |
The value of the Rogue Sport varies. On the entry-level end, it's competitively priced, especially when you consider the ample number of standard advanced driving aids. But once you start looking at upper trims or add all-wheel drive, it quickly ends up being more expensive than its primary rivals. Here the Rogue Sport feels less like a bargain because of its interior, which is kitted out in cheap-looking materials. Warranty coverage is typical. Bumper-to-bumper coverage and roadside assistance are offered for three years/36,000 miles. The powertrain warranty is good for five years/60,000 miles. | |
Wildcard | |
We could forgive the Rogue Sport's subpar acceleration if it countered with a big fuel economy advantage or some other "surprise and delight" upside. The styling is fairly sleek, but there's really nothing here that will get you excited about owning a Rogue Sport. | |
Which Rogue Sport does Edmunds recommend?
Nissan Rogue Sport models
The 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is a five-passenger compact SUV offered in three trim levels. The S base trim comes with respectable standard comforts and impressive driver safety aids, while the SV adds more features and desirable options. The SL heads upscale with comfort and style upgrades such as 19-inch wheels, leather seating and navigation.
2021 Nissan Rogue Sport pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Features & Specs
- Total MSRP
- $25,385
- MPG & Fuel
- 25 City / 32 Hwy / 28 Combined
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 14.5 gal. capacity
- Seating
- 5 seats
- Drivetrain
- Type: front wheel drive
- Transmission: Continuously variable-speed automatic
- Engine
- Inline 4 cylinder
- Horsepower: 141 hp @ 6000 rpm
- Torque: 147 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
- Basic Warranty
- 3 yr./ 36000 mi.
- Dimensions
- Length: 172.8 in. / Height: 62.5 in.
- Overall Width with Mirrors: N/A
- Overall Width without Mirrors: 72.3 in.
- Curb Weight: 3307 lbs.
- Cargo Capacity, All Seats In Place: 22.9 cu.ft.
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Rogue Sport safety features:
- Blind-Spot Warning
- Notifies you when there's a vehicle in the Rogue Sport's blind spot.
- Lane Departure Warning
- Warns you when the vehicle is drifting out of its lane without the turn signal engaged.
- Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
- Helps avoid collisions by warning the driver of approaching vehicles while the car is in reverse.
Nissan Rogue Sport vs. the competition
2021 Nissan Rogue Sport
2021 Nissan Rogue
Nissan Rogue Sport vs. Nissan Rogue
Despite its name, the Rogue Sport is no sportier than the larger, more utilitarian Rogue. The Rogue Sport is, in fact, less powerful and offers less cargo space and gets lower fuel economy than the standard Rogue. Of the two, we much prefer the Rogue, but the Rogue Sport could be worth a look if you're on a tight budget.
Nissan Rogue Sport vs. Hyundai Kona
The Kona has slightly less room for cargo, but it's better than the Rogue Sport in nearly every other way. It's more comfortable and more engaging to drive (especially when equipped with its optional turbo engine), and it offers a better infotainment interface. A lower starting price, broad range of trims, and a longer warranty give the Kona a solid edge in this matchup.
Nissan Rogue Sport vs. Kia Soul
The Rogue Sport brings its own distinctive style to the small SUV group, but few match the personality of the Soul's boxy shape and proportions. The Soul also has more room for tall passengers, and it offers more cargo space behind the second row. It's also more fun to drive and gets better fuel economy. The only downside: The Soul isn't available with all-wheel drive.
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FAQ
Is the Nissan Rogue Sport a good car?
What's new in the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport:
- Base S trim comes with 17-inch wheels
- Heated front seats and steering wheel, foglights and more now standard on SV
- Part of the first Rogue Sport generation introduced for 2017
Is the Nissan Rogue Sport reliable?
Is the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport a good car?
How much should I pay for a 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport?
The least-expensive 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $24,160.
Other versions include:
- SV 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $25,730
- SL 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $28,790
- S 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $25,560
- SV 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $27,130
- S 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $24,160
- SL 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $30,190
