Nissan has added the Rock Creek trim to its strong-selling Rogue compact crossover. The model becomes a bit more rugged and its sticker price – $37,610 – makes it worth a second glance.
It offers a more adventuresome look, from the tubular roof rack and crossbars atop the Rogue, the gloss black grille and red Nissan emblem out front and the Falken Wild Peak all-terrain tires on black wheels at the corners. Hill-descent control has been added to its all-wheel-drive setup. Other features are gloss black sideview mirrors, water-repellant leatherette seats with lava red stitching, an HD Intelligent Around-View Monitor and rain-sensing windshield wipers.
The Rogue is Nissan’s best-seller, by far. Introduced in 2007 as an ’08 model, Nissan has sold more than 3 million Rogues in the U.S. For the past 10 years, it has been third highest in the country in sales among sport utility vehicles.
Nissan expects the new, outdoorsy, offroad-oriented look to help retain the lofty sales perch against a minor backlash from the decision in 2022 to embrace a small 3-cylinder turbocharged power source in place of the 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder.
Though the little turbo matches up closely in horsepower with Toyota and Honda compacts, the Rogue often seems slower in initial response than those two competitors when the turbo is called upon. Today’s power source is the 1.5-liter, turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, rated at 201 horsepower and 225 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to an Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) with all-wheel drive.
The Rogue is built at a Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tenn. Its overall length of 183 inches is longer than the Toyota RAV4, shorter than the Honda CR-V and about the same as the Chevy Equinox and Subaru Forester. Wheelbase for the Rogue is 106.5 inches.
Base price for the Rogue Rock Creek trim, including basic ProPilot Assist, is $35,420; add $1,390 for destination and $800 for premium package of heated steering wheel, wireless charging pad, hands-free liftgate and four-way power passenger seat. Beginning prices for other trims are $28,145 for S, $29,895 for SV, $34,495 for SL and $38,395 for Platinum.
ProPilot is a driver-assist system in the Rogue combining steering and intelligent cruise control technologies, managing throttle and brakes to relieve driver stress while making long drives more comfortable.
The Rogue’s strengths are its quiet, comfortable ride, roominess including cargo space, economy, interior and exterior styling. It offers a user-friendly infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility and a premium sound system. You also get rearview monitor, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, remote engine start, 8-inch touchscreen display and a 12-volt power outlet in the cargo space. The Rogue Rock Creek EPA rating is 27 city, 32 highway, 29 combined.
Among Rogue Rock Creek competitors are Subaru Forester Wilderness, Kia Sportage X-Pro, Hyundai Tucson XRT.