2018 Nissan Rogue Sport Review
Price Range: $12,995 - $20,990





+135
Edmunds' Expert Review

by Dan Frio
Pros
- Cargo space is impressive for the class
- Small size means good maneuverability in tight city spaces
- Lots of available tech and safety features
Cons
- Engine is underpowered and noisy
- Bumpy ride quality when equipped with optional 19-inch wheels
What's new
- Options are reshuffled and renamed for 2018
- Part of the first Rogue Sport generation introduced for 2017
With increased demand for crossovers, Nissan has parlayed the success of its larger Rogue into the smaller 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport. It seats five passengers, offers good cargo space, and has a lower profile and sleeker look than its counterpart. Alongside competitors such as the Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-3, the Rogue Sport offers innovative tech and driver assistance features to help it stand out.
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Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
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History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
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Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
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28 Combined MPG (25 City/32 Highway)
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AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (25 City/32 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JN1BJ1CP6JW193700
Stock: 7200
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 07-20-2025
Despite its size and entry-level spot in Nissan's SUV lineup, the 2018 Rogue Sport offers a lot of cargo capacity for the class, plus available safety features that include adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, and a surround-view camera. Few other subcompacts can be so roundly equipped.
But while its virtues are impressive, the Rogue Sport is outrun — literally — by its faster Honda and Mazda rivals, and it also struggles to deliver the refinement of other competitors. Overall, we think the Rogue Sport is a good choice if utility is a priority, but it's worth considering some of the more well-rounded choices in the class.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
6.8 / 10For buyers who like the utility but not the larger footprint of compact crossovers, the 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport represents the smaller end of the crossover spectrum. Alongside competitors such as the Honda HR-V and the Mazda CX-3, the Rogue Sport offers innovative tech and driver assistance features to help it stand out.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of a Nissan Rogue Sport SV (2.0L inline-4 | CVT automatic | AWD).
Scorecard
Overall | 6.8 / 10 |
Driving | 6.5 |
Comfort | 6.5 |
Interior | 7.5 |
Utility | 7.5 |
Technology | 7.0 |
Driving
6.5Don't expect a sporty driving experience with the incongruously named Rogue Sport. This is one of the slowest vehicles in its class. Around turns, it is stable but does little to inspire driver enthusiasm.
Acceleration
5.0Passing maneuvers require a lot of planning. Acceleration is a long, arduous process even when the accelerator is pressed to the floor. Other compact crossovers are slow, but this is one of the most lethargic we've tested. Zero to 60 mph takes 10.2 seconds.
Braking
7.5Sound, predictable braking. The pedal effort is just right, and the brakes respond intuitively around town. Braking performance at our test track was decent, with the Rogue Sport stopping from 60 mph in 115 feet.
Steering
6.0There's little joy in this vague and lifeless steering even if it is a bit tighter than the standard Rogue. The steering weight is on the heavy side with a slow return to center and an artificial feel. Plus, the flat-bottom steering wheel is a strange choice in a subcompact crossover.
Handling
7.0Handling is tidy and acceptable, but don't be fooled by its Sport badge. It's relatively flat through corners and has modest limits; the all-season tires squeal readily on curvy roads. It has good maneuverability in traffic and tight quarters due to its smaller-than-Rogue size.
Drivability
6.5The continuously variable automatic transmission makes for smooth progress (no shift shock). There's still some elastic-like lag and rpm variability, as with all CVTs, but it's better than past efforts. The modest power means that getting onto the highway takes a lot of throttle input and planning.
Comfort
6.5A mixed bag of good attributes and areas that could be better. Ride quality is decent until the pavement gets bumpy. Climate control is effective, but the midlevel SV seats don't distinguish themselves. Engine noise is more prominent than we'd like, though the cabin otherwise filters out noise well.
Seat comfort
6.5Despite adjustable lumbar support, the front seats' flat and overly soft bottom cushions aren't cut out for long trips. The side bolsters do a good job of holding you in place through corners, but we suggest the higher trim level SL's well-padded seats if given the choice.
Ride comfort
6.5The standard 17-inch wheels allow for a lot of tire sidewall, which absorbs some small road imperfections, but the Rogue Sport's stiff suspension translates into a rough ride over most city streets. Highway ride comfort is acceptable for the class but stiff compared to the standard Rogue.
Noise & vibration
6.0Road and wind noise is reasonably well-suppressed, but engine noise is prominent when merging onto the highway. The six-speaker audio system rattled significantly at 70 percent of max volume.
Climate control
7.5Air conditioning is very cold in the Rogue Sport. Setting the system to 74 degrees feels like more like 68 degrees. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard on the midlevel SV trim as are rear center-console vents. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are optional.
Interior
7.5The cabin is roomy and easy to get into and out of, and the fundamentals work well. Forward visibility is solid and the front seat spacious. Four adults can fit with surprising ease, though as with much of the competition, backseat legroom is limited.
Ease of use
7.0The easy-to-see controls on the dashboard mean you can execute infotainment commands with relative simplicity if you rely on the dashboard. The steering wheel buttons, however, are small and hard to see, so they'll take some additional getting used to.
Getting in/getting out
7.0Thanks to relatively tall doors and a low step-over height, you can slide in and out of the front or the back seat with minimal head-duck. This is a strength of the subcompact crossover class and an area where the Rogue Sport does well.
Driving position
7.0The tilt-and-telescoping wheel might be positioned a bit low for some drivers, but it's not a deal-breaker. The six-way power-adjustable driver's seat has good range for the driver. Whatever your position, the dashboard controls seem far away.
Roominess
8.0On par with the Honda HR-V, the Rogue Sport has generous headroom in both the front and rear seat. As per class averages, legroom is limited but still roomy enough for adults in all four main seating positions.
Visibility
7.5A large windshield, low dashboard and relatively small dashboard pillars afford good forward visibility. The tall windows allow for wide visibility and blind-spot warning (optional) works well.
Quality
6.5Most of the interior plastics are hard but aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, when you look a bit closer, the glossy piano-black trim looks slightly cheap and collects dust and smudges easily. But the cabin felt well-assembled, and there were no noticeable rattles or squeaks.
Utility
7.5The Rogue Sport has above-average cargo space, especially when the back seat is folded. Cabin storage is about average, with the usual assortment of bins and cubbies. Car seats are accommodated at the outboard positions, though the front seats need to move forward for rearward-facing car seats.
Small-item storage
6.5Two cupholders in front are complemented by skinny, long door pockets and a medium-size center console. Rear-seat door storage is a little smaller than we'd like, almost too small for a small water bottle.
Cargo space
8.0There's more cargo space in the Rogue Sport than what you'll find in other pint-size crossovers. With rear seats down, it offers 61.1 cubic feet of cargo space. Behind the rear seats, the Rogue Sport has 19.9 cubic feet.
Child safety seat accommodation
Two sets of lower LATCH points and three upper tether points on the back of the seats are standard for the class, as is the relatively limited space for child seats. Two relatively compact seats will fit well, but putting in three or installing larger infant seats will be tough.
Technology
7.0The Rogue Sport's available driver aids help it score high in this category. The 360-degree camera and rear cross-traffic alert systems are rare at this price point. But device integration, audio quality and center-screen resolution are weak links in the system.
Audio & navigation
6.5Audio controls are relatively simple and include two tactile knobs that control volume and track scrolling. The optional six-speaker stereo distorts sound at an unreasonably low volume. Nav gives good audio directions, but the screen is small, low-res and distant. Reading the map is tough.
Smartphone integration
6.5In subcompact SUV territory, you won't find many vehicles that offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and the Rogue Sport is no exception. Our test car was equipped with Siri Eyes Free, and it worked well. Only one USB port limits the number of devices that can charge or connect at one time.
Driver aids
8.0he Rogue Sport's surround-view camera, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert systems are rare in the subcompact SUV class, and all worked well in our testing.
Voice control
7.0NissanConnect voice controls (optional) allow for commands that change radio stations, select songs via iPod, or find a navigation destination. In our tests, controls were relatively simple in structure and understood our voice commands without many repeated attempts.
Which Rogue Sport does Edmunds recommend?
The SV sits in the middle of the Rogue Sport model range and it's the one we recommend. It comes with an upgraded sound system, dual-zone climate control and push-button start, but can also be equipped with extras such as a 7-inch touchscreen, a surround-view parking camera system, and navigation. Instead of the SL's larger 19-inch wheels, the SV comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, which improve ride quality.
Compare 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
2018 Nissan Rogue Sport models
The new 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport is a five-passenger compact crossover SUV with three trim levels: S, SV and SL. The S trim is pretty basic but SV and SL get some desirable upgrades. All Rogue Sport trims come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (141 horsepower, 147 pound-feet of torque) and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is optional.
Note that standard equipment for the Rogue Sport can vary slightly depending on when it was built. The following information is for the so-called 2018.5 Rogue Sport; Rogue Sports built earlier in the model year lack some of the driver safety aids that Nissan added as standard equipment to the 2018.5.
Standard feature highlights for the S include 16-inch steel wheels, cruise control, air conditioning, cloth upholstery, 60/40-split folding rear seats that slide and recline, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a 5-inch infotainment display, Siri Eyes Free iPhone control, and a four-speaker CD player with a USB input and satellite radio. Also included is blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and forward collision warning with automatic braking.
The Rogue Sport's SV trim adds a few creature comforts and upgrades such as 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, automatic headlights, keyless entry and ignition, a cargo management system, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver's seat and a six-speaker audio system.
The top-of-the-line SL trim includes 19-inch wheels, foglights, heated mirrors, remote start, adaptive cruise control, leather upholstery, a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, a 7-inch touchscreen, a surround-view camera system, NissanConnect emergency and convenience telematics, and a navigation system.
Seventeen-inch wheels are available for base models via the S Appearance package, and most of the SL's standard features, such as heated seats and upgraded navigation/multimedia, are optional for SV trims in the SV Technology package.
The SL Premium package adds a sunroof, LED headlights, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist.

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Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in California
$199/mo for Rogue Sport S
Rogue Sport S
vs
$222/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4.5 out of 5 stars4.5/5Excellent
#2 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
$431/yr
vs. $465/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Frequency
0.38x/yr
vs. 1x/yr
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
Severity
9.4%
vs. 11.5%
for Average Compact SUV
for Average Compact SUV
powered by RepairPal
Nissan Rogue Sport Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
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Better Than Pro-Reviews Say
4 out of 5 starsJon, 12/28/2018
2018 Nissan Rogue Sport S 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 04/18 (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
I've owned my 2018.5 Rogue Sport S for almost three years now and I have a lot of good things to say about it. First, I bought this car for it's overall value, and particularly because it came with safety features that cost much extra in most competitive brands - where else can you find front crash avoidance and true blind spot monitors in an entry level package (hint: the answer is … "nowhere else")? Second, after driving several other vehicles in this segment, I came away feeling this was the most substantial of the bunch - I can't quantify that statement, but I can add that the car is reassuringly solid and extremely tight (as in no rattles). Lastly, and this gets to my review title, the driving performance is way better than professional reviews indicate. That is not to say this is a sports car, nor is it a luxury ride, but it is a competent small SUV that can easily merge with traffic in most any conditions. It also has no problems mustering up the energy to pass on the highway, or to cruise at 75 to 80 mph. All together, a very nice car at a great price. The only downside is a troubling A/C issue that my local Nissan dealer has not fully diagnosed. My car appears to have some faulty AC controls, or perhaps a bad evaporator thermostat. Other than that, the car has been great.*
*Update 2022: the climate control situation is still there, and a quick check of the internet indicates it's fairly common in Rogues and Rougue Sports. Since I live where it is always hot, I tend to be able to just leave it on full A/C without too much trouble. But, if I switch to defrost, I run the risk of losing A/C for several hours. Wierd and annoying, but quite infrequent in my case. I wish Nissan would issue a recall, as not having reliable climate controls can be a driving hazard in some situations.
happy to have chosen the Nissan Rogue Spot
5 out of 5 starsMargaret, 06/03/2018
2018 Nissan Rogue Sport SV 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
This is a good looking SUV inside and out. Love its responsiveness and maneuverability. Plenty of room for passengers in the back seat and a good sized cargo space that includes small storage areas within it to hold various items including the first aid kit that comes with the car!
2 years and still love my Nissan
5 out of 5 starsRW, 06/17/2018
2018 Nissan Rogue Sport SV 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
Solid gas mileage. Love the remote start. AWD is amazing in the snow. Great looks. Comfy seating in the front.
Sleek little sport
4 out of 5 starsSleek little sport, 06/08/2018
2018 Nissan Rogue Sport SL 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
We have only owned the 2018 Rogue Sport for 3 weeks. We have found everything as expected. It was purchased for a run around town suv as we have a larger suv for family time, trips and picking up large purchases. The Rouge can perform the same duties in a smaller package. Would have loved a power tailgate and power passenger seat but was not offered. Nice that it looks like a sleek suv … than a square box.
2018 Rogue Sport Highlights
S
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $21,640 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 28 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $199/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 22.9 cu.ft. |
front wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the Rogue Sport models:
- 360-Degree Around-View Camera
- Offers a top-down view of the car's surroundings for easier and safer parking maneuvers.
- 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.
NHTSA Overall Rating
4 out of 5 starsThe National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverall4 / 5Driver5 / 5Passenger2 / 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 Rollover15.9%
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