CD Article: 2008 Nissan Rogue

[CD_Editor]

Today's First Drive:

Replacing the X-Trail in mid-September, the new 2008 Nissan Rogue crossover is "a family wagon with a sporting attitude," says Managing Editor, Grant Yoxon.  Pricing is expected to be in the $25,000 - $35,000 range.
   
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Read the article | View the photos | All The First Drives

[sailor723]

I find the whole CVT thing a turn-off. My Dad has a Murano that I've driven on a few trips and I really don't care for the feel of it on the highway. For some reason it doesn't seem to coast well? You always seem to have to be on the gas. Having a CVT may prevent us from buying another Maxima when it's time.

Is Nissan the only company to use these transmissions so widely across their lineup?

[Schmengie]

Not bad looking at all, but from the rear the Rogue looks a lot like a Hyundai SantaFe. What's with the fascination the stylists have for those useless abbreviated rear quarter windows? Trading off visibility - read safety - for style is stupid IMHO.

[jww]

The interior reminds me way too much of my 2002 Altima - spartan (which is fine) but poor-looking quality.

No fore-aft/reclining rear seat? Dunno about that. And I agree that styling rear quarter windows being chosen over visibility is not necessarily a good thing either.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I am not fond of the exterior styling (do like the Murano and both new and old X-Trail though).

Otherwise seems fully competent. CVT did not bother me in the Muranos I've driven, so is neither a pro nor con.

But overall no pull for me versus competitors.

[Juke1]

The interior reminds me way too much of my 2002 Altima - spartan (which is fine) but poor-looking quality.

Jww, did you not read the article??

The writer points out:

I was impressed with the quality of interior materials, particularly the soft dash plastics which have a rich, luxurious feel and overall fit and finish appeared excellent.
Liberal use of bright metallic trim around the gauges and switch gear, and on the doors, steering wheel and console add definition and character. In top-of-the-line trim, the Rogue looks and feels more like an entry level luxury sedan than a compact SUV

[AVToller]

I liked the X-Trail's styling, but never warmed to the Murano's, so the Rogue does not thrill me much.

[trandell]

I will miss the X-Trail with it's more traditional 4x4 SUV design, the new  for europe model was even more appealing, It was a unique vehicle that Nissan was offering in a field of too many "me too' over styled CUV's. It is a mistake for Nisssan to replace it with a "Me too" CUV like the rogue. I don't think this model will appeal to current X-Trail buyers at all.

[sailor723]

The interior reminds me way too much of my 2002 Altima - spartan (which is fine) but poor-looking quality.

Jww, did you not read the article??

The writer points out:

I was impressed with the quality of interior materials, particularly the soft dash plastics which have a rich, luxurious feel and overall fit and finish appeared excellent.
Liberal use of bright metallic trim around the gauges and switch gear, and on the doors, steering wheel and console add definition and character. In top-of-the-line trim, the Rogue looks and feels more like an entry level luxury sedan than a compact SUV

I have to agree with Jww on the interior and disagree with the review. Black with lots of bright silver coloured plastic looks stark and cheap to me. We bought our Maxima inspite of the interior not because of it. As it was it was only because the SL had some woodgrain trim to soften things up that it was acceptable to us at all. I'd have to say Nissan interiors have done nothing for me in recent years. The Santa Fe interior look WAY nicer!

[Arthur Dent]

Front end looks a bit awkward and ugly in the pictures. Maybe comes together better in real life. Rating = Meh

[mmret]

imo

Front =
Rear = Santa Fe
Interior = Cold and dark. Like space.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

Front end looks a bit awkward and ugly in the pictures. Maybe comes together better in real life. Rating = Meh

What he said.  Another amorphous blob hits the road.

[Leviathan]

Inside/outside styling is ok and is much better than, say, the Compass.

[EV Dan]

I just dont get it. The interior is all cool and hi-tech and spaceship like, so once inside you would expect you are driving a serious luxury car or suv. once out it reminds of a clearance shelf in toys r us. and i wonder since when nissan subcontracts to korean designers.. 

[AVToller]

Inside/outside styling is ok and is much better than, say, the Compass.

Damning with faint praise?? 

[Leviathan]

 

[ovr50]

In general, I'm not feeling it at all. And I do like the Murano, but not a CVT fan at this time. 

[jww]

The interior reminds me way too much of my 2002 Altima - spartan (which is fine) but poor-looking quality.

Jww, did you not read the article??

The writer points out:

I was impressed with the quality of interior materials, particularly the soft dash plastics which have a rich, luxurious feel and overall fit and finish appeared excellent.
Liberal use of bright metallic trim around the gauges and switch gear, and on the doors, steering wheel and console add definition and character. In top-of-the-line trim, the Rogue looks and feels more like an entry level luxury sedan than a compact SUV

X-Trail - I did read the article - and didn't think that the pictures looked like any different in quality than the look of the pics of the 2002 Altima when it first came out. I just think it looks - in pics - cheap quality, regardless of what the reviewer says, that's all.

Nevertheless - I will withold further comment until I see one in the flesh (or metal as it were) as only an in-person peruse will actually tell me what the quality of the interior is.

I still think that Nissan should have kept the X-Trail here as well - but perhaps sales were waning and they needed something different looking? Too bad.

[sirAQUAMAN64]

From the back I'll be confusing this with the new Subaru Tribeca. Mind you, 9.5 times out of 10 it won't be the Tribeca judging by sales figures.

[Juke1]

The interior reminds me way too much of my 2002 Altima - spartan (which is fine) but poor-looking quality.

Jww, did you not read the article??

The writer points out:

I was impressed with the quality of interior materials, particularly the soft dash plastics which have a rich, luxurious feel and overall fit and finish appeared excellent.
Liberal use of bright metallic trim around the gauges and switch gear, and on the doors, steering wheel and console add definition and character. In top-of-the-line trim, the Rogue looks and feels more like an entry level luxury sedan than a compact SUV

X-Trail - I did read the article - and didn't think that the pictures looked like any different in quality than the look of the pics of the 2002 Altima when it first came out. I just think it looks - in pics - cheap quality, regardless of what the reviewer says, that's all.

Nevertheless - I will withold further comment until I see one in the flesh (or metal as it were) as only an in-person peruse will actually tell me what the quality of the interior is.

I still think that Nissan should have kept the X-Trail here as well - but perhaps sales were waning and they needed something different looking? Too bad.

I saw and touched one in the flesh and the quality like the writer says is tops.  The X-Trail had to change or be replaced to keep in line with the others ie. CRV, Rav, Outlander etc.  X-Trail sales were always good and always led the truck segment for Nissan.  I love the new euro X-Trail, but the squarish looks are not in style here now.