2020 Nissan Rogue Sport Review

Name: 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport Review
Brand: Nissan

Price Range: $14,778 - $23,998

Nissan Rogue Sport SL 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

+189

We like that the 2020 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.

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$19,033 avg. price

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2020 Nissan Rogue Sport Review

by Mark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Cargo space is impressive for the class
Small size means good maneuverability in tight city spaces
Lots of available driving aids and tech

Cons

Engine is underpowered and noisy
Bumpy ride quality when equipped with optional 19-inch wheels
Front seats aren't comfortable on long trips

What's new

Updated front-end styling
Safety Shield 360 suite of advanced safety features is now standard
Revisions to features and options between trim levels
Part of the first Rogue Sport generation introduced for 2017

Overview

The Nissan Rogue has been one of the most popular small SUVs on the market, so it came as no surprise when Nissan decided to capitalize on the nameplate with the spinoff Rogue Sport a few years ago. Unfortunately, the Rogue Sport fails to live up to the expectations set by the Rogue.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

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New Listing
2020 Nissan Rogue Sport
SV 4dr SUV
$17,995
- 34,698 miles
- Frame damage reported, 2 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 4cyl automatic
- Kargar Motors (19 mi away)
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Keyless Entry/Start
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
- Power Driver Seat
Close
Located in Manassas, VA
BUYING A CAR HAS NEVER BEEN THIS EASY.We specialize in 100% GUARANTEED APPROVAL. BAD CREDIT, NO CREDIT, BANKRUPTCY, REPO, FORECLOSURE...NO PROBLEM. NO...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: Yes
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
28 Combined MPG (25 City/32 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JN1BJ1CV9LW548019
Stock: KMM11978
Certified Pre-Owned: No
New Listing
2020 Nissan Rogue Sport
S 4dr SUV
$17,998
- 62,055 miles
- 2 accidents, 1 owner, personal use
- 4cyl automatic
- CarMax Frederick (18 mi away)
- Free delivery available*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Blind Spot Monitorin...
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
Close
Located in Gaithersburg, MD
CarMax values transparency and wants you to love your next car, not settle on it. Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Check nhtsa.gov...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
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:
27 Combined MPG (24 City/30 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JN1BJ1CW0LW640273
Stock: 26607012
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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A few standout aspects prevent the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport from being a non-starter. For one, it's pretty practical. There's good headroom in the back for adults, and legroom surpasses what some other extra-small SUVs offer. Cargo space with the rear seats up or folded is similarly generous and borders on class-leading. The Rogue Sport also emphasizes safety: Every trim level comes standard with Nissan's Safety Shield 360 suite of advanced driver aids.

While vehicles at this price point naturally have to compromise in some aspects, the Rogue Sport makes more concessions than others. Ride comfort is unduly harsh at city speeds, and the not-so-supportive front seats make long trips a chore. Acceleration is another concern. While the engine is responsive at low speeds, you'll have to plan ahead when you want to merge onto the highway or make a lane change.

If space is a priority for your next purchase, the Nissan Rogue Sport might win you over. But those willing to give up some utility might find a more suitable rival. We're impressed by the Hyundai Kona's extensive list of features and the Kia Soul's funky, fun-to-drive personality. The Honda HR-V is almost as spacious as the Rogue but feels a little more upscale. Finally, Nissan's own Kicks is another alternative. It costs less and its interior is more premium-looking.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Below Average

6.9

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

6.5/10

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.

Comfort

6.5/10

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.

Interior

7.5/10

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 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.

Technology

7.5/10

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.

Storage

7.5/10

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 rearward-facing car seats.

Fuel Economy

6.5/10

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.

Value

6.5/10

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. However, 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

6/10

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?

The midlevel SV trim is the sweet spot in the Rogue Sport lineup. It costs just a bit more than the base S and adds nice quality-of-life upgrades such as keyless entry, dual-zone climate control and an upgraded audio system. Should you want additional features, the SV also opens the door to a pair of reasonably priced option packages.

Compare 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2020 Nissan Rogue Sport models

The 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport is available in three trim levels: S, SV and SL. The S trim is pretty basic, but the SV and the SL get some desirable upgrades. All Rogue Sport trims come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (141 horsepower, 147 lb-ft of torque) and a continuously variable automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is optional on all trims.

Standard feature highlights for the S include 16-inch steel wheels, a height-adjustable driver's seat, 60/40-split folding rear seats that slide and recline, a 7-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Also included are a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning and intervention, rear automatic braking, and forward collision warning with automatic braking and pedestrian detection.

The Rogue Sport's SV trim adds upgrades such as 17-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, roof rails, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power-adjustable driver's seat and a six-speaker audio system.

Two key options packages are available for the SV. The All-Weather package adds foglights, remote engine start, heated front seats, and a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Technology package includes those amenities, plus driver-seat memory settings, cloth/faux leather upholstery, and Nissan's ProPilot Assist driving aids, which essentially consist of adaptive cruise control and lane-centering.

The top-of-the-line SL trim includes nearly all of the above plus 19-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a surround-view camera system, NissanConnect emergency communications and a navigation system. An SL Premium package tops off the Rogue Sport with LED headlights, a sunroof, a power-adjustable passenger seat and an eight-speaker Bose audio system.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport S 4dr SUV (2.0L 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 $2.95 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$131/mo

$157/mo

Avg. Compact SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#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

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Nissan Rogue Sport from 2008-2022.}

$431/yr

vs. $465/yr
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).}

0.38x/yr

vs. 1x/yr
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).}

9.4%

vs. 11.5%
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.}

Nissan Rogue Sport Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.9

37 reviews

5(57%)

4(10%)

3(5%)

2(16%)

1(12%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

love the car

Kota Colin Ramirez, 10/02/2019

2019 Nissan Rogue Sport SL 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

I have had the car (Rogue Sport SL FWD) for a month (if you live in a place where the roads are loose, snow, dirt, gravel. I would use the AWD version), and I agree the engine is underpowered. But I disagree with the seats I live in Carlsbad, and I went on a trip to the Onyx summit, east of L.A. 7 hours in the car and it was very comfortable. im planning to drive over to anchorage. The …

2020 Nissan Rogue Sport

Rolando Masferrer Sr., 01/31/2020

2020 Nissan Rogue Sport SV 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Recently we leased a 2020 Rogue Sport SV and so far we are very happy with our decision. The trunk space is very good, rides well, seats are comfortable and overall a very good SUV

SUV Feel in a Small Package

techeng, 11/13/2019

2019 Nissan Rogue Sport SV 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

I acquired the Rogue Sport by trading in my Nissan Kicks as I felt the Sport gave me the feel of being in a SUV as opposed to the Kicks, which felt more like being in a car even though it's considered a crossover (see my separate review under the 2019 Kicks as to what I didn't like about it, even though it was a decent vehicle). Again I'm mainly comparing the Sport to the previous … vehicle I owned (the Kicks) because it met my need to have a more refined interior, even though other SUVs in its class may have even more elaborate interiors the Sport looked and felt pretty posh, from the front and rear seats being more comfortable to a more refined dashboard and console than my previous Kicks. Despite being a SUV, the Sport's interior felt like it was hugging me or surrounding me but not in an uncomfortable, claustrophobic way, but rather just a really nice fit for me and my wife at 5'6" and 5'4' respectively. I certainly do not recommend it for people closer to 6 ft., otherwise go to the full-size Rogue. The ride of the Sport seemed a little softer and quieter as well. I do hear the engine noise but it's not as noisy as these other reviews make it sound like, and I do prefer to hear little engine rev as I'm driving along. I also like the fact it has rear climate controls so heat and AC can be blown to the passengers in the back through the rear vents in the back of the center console, which again my Kicks didn't have. Exterior wise I think the thinner slit of a grille up front is more attractive and aggressive looking than the new 2020 Rogue Sport which they enlarged the black area of the grille slightly to look more like the front of traditional Nissan vehicles. My SV has the 17-inch alloy wheels as opposed to the 19-inch premium wheels the higher trims (SL) have, because I heard the larger wheel actually provides less rubber and therefore a stiffer ride. I've only had the Rogue Sport for a few days and may provide a long-term update to this review after a few weeks, months, or even years, but for the time being it has certainly met my expectations and fulfilled the shortcomings my Kicks had which is the reason I decided to trade it in after owning the Kicks only a few short months. The only thing I probably wish I had on my Sport was the remote start which my Kicks had, but I'll take the AWD in lieu of the remote start, which I never really used. Costs a little more than the Kicks but unlike other reviews, including professional ones which say the Sport is not worth the added cost over the Kicks if you're looking for value, I disagree and I think the Rogue Sport is worth the added cost if you want more of an SUV feel than the feel of a raised car that the Kicks provided, which I think is basically a Nissan Versa Note with a facelift.

Unreliable

Catwoman 75, 11/08/2020

2020 Nissan Rogue Sport SV 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

Bought the car in July. In August, the collision warning light came on every morning with no object near the car (and therefore the automatic breaking system engaged). The dealership replaced the "faulty" sensor (it took 6 weeks to get the part). Next day, the collision warning sensor came on: took it back to the dealership. Diagnosis: faulty sensor...Ordered a replacement for the …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport, so we've included reviews for other years of the Rogue Sport since its last redesign.

See all 37 reviews of the Nissan Rogue Sport

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2020 Rogue Sport Highlights

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$23,430
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	28 MPG
Cost to Drive	$131/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	22.9 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the Rogue Sport models:

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.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover14.3%

2020 Nissan Rogue Sport Review

Price & Payment

2020 Nissan Rogue Sport Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale nearby

2020 Nissan Rogue SportSV 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2020 Nissan Rogue SportS 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Rogue Sport does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Nissan Rogue Sport models

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport S 4dr SUV (2.0L 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 $2.95 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Nissan Rogue Sport Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

love the car

2020 Nissan Rogue Sport

SUV Feel in a Small Package

Unreliable

2020 Rogue Sport Highlights

Safety

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2020 Nissan Rogue Sport
SV 4dr SUV

2020 Nissan Rogue Sport
S 4dr SUV

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport S 4dr SUV (2.0L 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 $2.95 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.}