2011 Nissan Rogue Compact SUV

2011 Nissan Rogue Compact SUVs

The 2011 Nissan Rogue Compact SUVs. The 2011 Rogue gets points for its pleasant ride, good fuel economy and affordable base price. Consumer Guide gets right to the point on the 2011 Nissan Rogue: "Overall, Rogue's competitors are quieter and more refined, but this compact Nissan gets points for sleek styling, high levels of interior functionality, and value pricing. If you can live with Rogue's sometimes harsh ride, this little Nissan might make sense.”

The Rogue gives buyers a low starting price and good fuel economy. The Rogue gets a mild refresh for 2011. The Nissan Rogue is available in front- or all-wheel drive.

Nissan hopped on the small crossover train belatedly in 2007 when it introduced the Rogue as a 2008 model. Instead of trying to rile controversy with its lines, the Nissan Rogue simply takes the generic CUV shape and spreads on a light Nissan flavor. While the overall design is slightly rounded, tricks like an up kicked C-Pillar and slightly wrapped headlights give the Rogue a familial flair.

Fortunately, Nissan has also thrown in a new set of stylish 17-inch, bifurcated five-spoke alloys that give the Rogue's design a pulse. Our guess is that the buyer who wanders onto a Nissan lot in search of a Rogue is there for a few reasons: massive amounts of cargo, a tall seating position and a reasonable price. Particularly on the special front, the Nissan Rogue delivers admirably. Bluetooth hands-free calling also comes along for the ride, making for a decently well-rounded tech package given what the Rogue costs.

The Nissan Rogue could seriously benefit from an infusion of lighter colors, let alone higher quality materials. Even with the optional sunroof in our tester, the Rogue simply felt dreary from behind the wheel.

Each Rogue ships with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine putting out 170 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Our tester came with its engine kicking at the front tires only, and while a high-riding, low-horsepower CVT machine sounds like a perfect recipe for motoring brain damage, the truth is that Rogue is a decently capable little machine. Nissan has the benefit of utilizing one of the better CVT units available, and the 'box feels right at home behind the thrifty little four-cylinder in the Rogue. Perhaps the most surprising part about the Rogue is its price tag. Our mid-range SV model came riding fairly close to the vehicle's $23,220 MSRP, though if you're really on a budget, the Rogue is also available in S trim at $20,810. If Nissan were to give the Rogue a slightly livelier exterior and an interior that doesn't feel like it was designed by someone with photophobia, the 2011 Rogue might be able to carve out a bigger niche for itself.

Nissan has mildly refreshed the Rogue for the 2011 line-up while we wait for the next generation to arrive. The top-selling CUV segment is already overcrowded so it was good to see a slightly refreshed Rogue from Nissan.

Nissan has always targeted a more mature audience with the Rogue and 2011 Rogue is no different. We thought the interior was OK considering the price bracket this vehicle is competing in. One of the major criteria for most CUV buyers is the amount of cargo space their vehicle can handle. Rogue really excels on this front by providing about 50+ cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats folded.

It is a really smooth riding vehicle that sits 4-5 adults comfortably while hauling enough cargo along. We think Nissan’s mildly refreshed Rogue is a nice bargain in this overly crowded CUV Segment.