2017 Nissan Rogue and Rogue Hybrid - Nissan's Best Selling CUV Gets Better.

By Thom Cannell
Senior Editor
Michigan Bureau
The Auto Channel

For half a decade, maybe more Nissan’s Rogue has been its best selling vehicle and in 2017 sales have increased. Rogue’s 2017 model year update offered improved interior comfort and features, as well as adding a hybrid version. This is their story.

Rogue has steadily increased in popularity over the12 months and is near to eclipsing the perennial favorite Honda CR-V. We think this is primarily due to modern styling and features, as well as an aggressive price structure that starts at $23,820 plus delivery.

For 2017 all Rogue models face the world with Nissan’s signature “V-Motion” grille, which plunges deeply to a trapezoidal lower air intake. A strong chromed V outlines a Nissan emblem centered in black mesh. Like most car makers they’ve added LED daylight running lamps in their boomerang-shaped headlight enclosure, a shape echoed in the all-LED rear tail lights. The roof and doors remain the same but front fenders and hood are simultaneously more masculine, with rounder and stronger shoulders, yet not overly masculine and ready for the MMA cage. Headlights, and the V-Motion grill wrap into the hood and fenders with a more subtle flow. Almost unnoticed is how the hood has been slightly raised and sculpted to offer a welcome response to over-sharp corners. The result is pleasing harmony.

And that’s only Rogue’s exterior improvements.

Designers had a relatively free hand on an all-new interior. The Rogue’s new dash is split into two areas, a charcoal anti-reflective top and (our test car’s) almond-colored soft areas. While we didn’t drive every version available, everything isn’t beige or charcoal. There are five pleasing interior color combinations in cloth or leather according to the model range of S-SV, and SL. (and SV and SL hybrids). 

Where the console arises between driver and passengers designers used a micro-flecked piano black as a contrasting accent. Nissan’s designers chose materials that feel pleasing to touch as well as having a sleek, and rugged appearance. Adding stitching to our SL’s leather seats provided a subtle upscale touch. Another unmistakable feature was the huge moonroof arcing over the second row.

Rogue’s infotainment system with premium Bose sound, all the satellite, radio, and other connections are current generation and including the driver information screen nestled between a large speedometer and tachometer. They are more than adequate; the next generation Rogue will have next-generation telematics

This does not mean a lack of goodness in the safety and security equipment nor a shortfall of cutting edge safety systems items. Forward Emergency Braking uses information from both a forward-facing camera and radar; it will stop you at speeds up to 27 MPH. Available lane departure warning and lane keeping will straighten your vehicle but not take over driving and intelligent cruise uses radar to maintain selectable vehicle space between 20 and 90 MPH. Things that make you go “ummm” include a heated steering wheel, self de-frosting outside mirror, and a kick-style no-hands rear hatch opening system (on some models). Cross traffic alert, blind spot detection, they are standard, or optional on most models.

SL models use Siri Eyes Free, have that optional power lift gate, and an around-view monitor in its 7” color touchscreen navigation monitor.

For fun there’s standard wet and dry zones in the rear as Nissan understands the concept that many CUV owners live the active lifestyle they espouse to. Beneath the rear hatch and under the carpeted floor is a one-handed-operation wet or dry zone suitable for snorkels, fins, and valuables of many sizes and shapes. Of course Rogues offers a third row option, but only 7% of you want that on a compact CUV, so if you do grab more room for small children Nissan substitutes run-flat tires for the spare.

 On the road we liked, not loved our 2017 Rogue. It accomplished its mission with style, perhaps even providing a bit of elegance. In other words it was designed for those in search of a solid family vehicle that delivers style, function, safety, and good fuel economy at an affordable entry price. We were impressed by quietness, and Nissan engineers claim improvements of about 10% each in road noise, wind noise, and mechanical noise. Our lack of excitement was due to the very good 2.5-liter I-4 engine (170 horsepower/175 lb-ft torque) and its CVT transmission. CVTs provide near-infinite “gears”, solid launch, fuel economy, and Nissan allows you to “shift” gears by moving the shift lever. That improved the fun, but how often do you want to shift? Plus, we could occasionally hear the signature CVT hum/whine. That all changed when we drove the 217 Rogue Hybrid. It was exciting.

First, the 2017 Rogue Hybrid is all Rogue, not a different vehicle with similar name. Changes are abundant starting with a lithium-ion battery in the cargo area which decreases storage capacity a tad. FYI Nissan knows batteries and electric power trains, Leaf EV is a perfect example. 

Rogue Hybrid uses a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder that is smaller and a few horsepower shy of Rogue at 141 hp. However it is coupled to an electric motor rated at 30kW, or about 30 horsepower so total system net power is greater at 176 horsepower. Those few extra ponies don’t explain how much better, and normal, the 2017 Rogue Hybrid feels to drive. 

No, the difference is due to the way torque—push comes on more quickly and how the DCT or dual clutch automatic transmission provides immediate shifts. It simply felt better—to us. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary and we’re not sure every customer will feel (pun intended) the necessity to add this costly option. True, it does run in pure electric mode up to 75 miles per hour, but only for a few minutes as the battery isn’t really large. The battery, like all electric and hybrid vehicles, uses coasting and deceleration to recharge. We think it is the overall combination of DCT and e-motor that transform the dynamics of driving. 

The 2017 Rogue is a great family car, quietly delivering space, economy, good looks and comfort at an affordable price. Rogue Hybrid gets you 5-8 MPG better fuel economy—for approximately $3,000, but that’s not a fair comparison. You get a lot extra with all SV and SL hybrids as the hybrid has improved standard equipment, for instance alloy wheels, LED headlamps (SL), Smart Auto headlights, roof rails, and more. 

Our take, the 2017 Rogue is a compact CUV that efficiently delivers interior capacity, driver and passenger comfort, plenty of useful equipment and options, good fuel economy, and a price that’s winning in the market. That’s its best endorsement. The 2017 Rogue Hybrid is all that and more. It is fun.

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