Used 2019 Nissan Rogue S SUV Review

Although the word "rogue" summons images of a reckless, swashbuckling character (Bronn from Game of Thrones, perhaps?), the 2019 Nissan Rogue isn't that kind of car. Being a small crossover SUV — and a fairly innocuous-looking one at that — the Rogue is about as mainstream as it gets.

We do give Nissan plenty of credit. The Rogue has all the key qualities that buyers expect of a small crossover, including excellent comfort, top-notch safety scores, and spacious room for people and cargo. Seventy cubic feet of cargo space helps make the Rogue one of the more versatile small SUVs on the market, while upscale cabin materials give it a classier feel than its price might suggest.

On the downside, the modestly powered four-cylinder engine and sluggish continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) struggle to get the Rogue moving when you want swift acceleration. Nor does the Rogue offer the same kind of handling spirit that you'll find in its competitors from Ford, Honda or Mazda. We're also not fond of the dated-looking infotainment system, but standard smartphone integration does alleviate the issue somewhat.

In the grand scheme of things, the positives greatly outweigh the negatives. The Rogue might not be Bronn's kind of vehicle, but for just about everyone else it should be a fine choice for a small SUV.

What's it like to live with?

Get to know the Nissan Rogue even more. Learn about day-to-day ownership from our editorial experts' long-term test of a 2014 Rogue SL AWD. We know it is Nissan's best-selling SUV. How was the fuel economy? How much can you pack in the cargo area for road trips? Is it comfortable? Learn this and more from our test. Note that the 2019 Rogue has better interior materials, smartphone integration, optional advanced driving aids and a hybrid trim, but our coverage of the 2014 model is otherwise applicable.

The 2019 Nissan Rogue is a small crossover SUV available in three trim levels: S, SV and SL. The smaller Rogue Sport model is reviewed separately. A Rogue Hybrid is also available.

Most Rogues come standard with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine (170 horsepower, 175 pound-feet of torque) paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is available as an option. The Rogue Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor (176 hp combined output) and either front- or all-wheel drive. It's available only in SV and SL trims.

Standard features on S trims include 17-inch steel wheels, 40/20/40-split folding rear seats that also slide and recline, a rearview camera, a 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, dual USB inputs, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and a four-speaker CD player with satellite radio. Safety features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist.

The SV trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, a hands-free-opening liftgate, heated side mirrors, keyless entry, push-button ignition, rear privacy glass, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a six-speaker audio system. Additional driver safety aids include rear parking sensors and reverse automatic braking.

Several of these features are also available for the S trim level via the optional Special Edition package.

The top-trim SL includes 19-inch wheels, foglights, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, driver-seat memory settings, a surround-view camera system, an integrated navigation system, NissanConnect emergency and convenience services, and a nine-speaker Bose audio system. The SL also comes with ProPilot Assist, a combination of semiautomated driving features that includes stop-and-go adaptive cruise control, which can bring the car to a complete stop and start again, and steering assist, which keeps the car centered in its lane.

Several of the SL's features, such as ProPilot Assist, are available on the SV. Options for the SL include a panoramic sunroof (also available for the SV) and LED headlights, while the Platinum Reserve Interior package adds quilted tan leather upholstery.