I will discuss the basics, drivetrain, pricing, size, pros and cons, reliability, and resale value of the 2021 Nissan Rogue. Has the 2021 Nissan Rogue done enough to be competitive in the crowded compact SUV category? The competitors in this class include the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and the Escape.

Basics - The Rogue (X-Trail) is the best selling vehicle in Nissan’s lineup, selling over 350,000 units in 2019. The Rogue is a compact SUV that sits above the subcompact Nissan Kicks and the smaller Rogue Sport. The Rogue is a 2 row vehicle with seating for 5 passengers.

The Rogue is built on a brand new platform that is stiffer than the previous generation. The Rogue is powered by a 2.5L 4 cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower & 181 pound-feet of torque. This is an increase of 11 horsepower over the 2020 Rogue.

The engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT.) The Rogue is available in either front wheel drive or all wheel drive with all wheel drive. Lots of journalists like to hate on CVTs but CVTs have come a long way. CVTs improve acceleration and fuel efficiency.

The Rogue is rated to tow 1,350 lbs.

The fuel economy is expected to be 28 to 30 miles per gallon combined depending on the trim and whether you choose front wheel drive or all wheel drive.

Pricing has not been released as of this filming but expect it to come in just a bit above 2020 prices which were $25,490 to $33,190. The Rogue should be available to purchase very soon as production has started in Smyrna, TN.

Size - Rogue has always been on the larger end of the compact SUV segment and that will continue with the 2021 model. It’s shrunken by 1.5 inches in length but the interior remains large for the segment. It has 41” of headroom in the front and 39 inches in the rear. There’s a lot of leg room with 41.5” in the front and 38.5” in the back. That’s slightly better than the RAV4 in every dimension. The cabin space is an impressive 105.4 cubic feet which is huge compared to the 98.9 cubic feet in the RAV4.

The cargo capacity is also towards the top of the class with 36.5 cubic feet behind the 2nd row and 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. That 74 cubic feet is 4 more cubic feet than last year’s model and 4 more cubic feet than the RAV4.

Pros:
New platform should provide a quieter and stiffer structure.
The interior is much improved. It has modern amenities like an availability of an all digital dash. It looks to be a lot better quality and more modern than the previous model.
One thing that you can always count on with Nissan is that their NASA inspired zero gravity seats are going to be comfortable.
Another area where the Rogue does well is that desirable features come standard including standard LED headlights and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Nissan’s available ProPILOT Assist with Navi-Link driver assistance is more advanced than many competitors.
The Rogue has class exclusive features like Divide-N-Hide Cargo system and 3 zone climate control. You can even get wireless Apple CarPlay.
The styling is subjective but I really like the new Rogue’s front with the square face. It looks more imposing and tougher than the previous model.

5. Cons: a. Only one powertrain is offered. The 181 hp 4 cyl engine is adequate but if you want more power or better fuel economy, you’ll have to look at the competition. The RAV4 offers 203 horsepower standard and is available with up to 302 horsepower with the RAV4 Prime. The CR-V hybrid gets 38 mpg combined versus the 28 to 30 in the Rogue.

6. Reliability: The 2020 Nissan Rogue has an expected reliability of better than average according to CR. It’s likely that Nissan will be able to keep this reliability rating since the engine and the transmission are improvements from the prior generation.

7. Depreciation - . The 2020 Rogue has an expected depreciation of 35% after just 2 years of ownership vs the Toyota RAV4 has an expected depreciation of 17%. I suspect that one of the main reasons for this is due to the large number of Rogues that Nissan sells to rental car companies.

5 year expected resale value of the 2020 Rogue is 50% which is behind the 61% for the RAV4 and 59% for the CR-V.

The 2021 Rogue should be able to improve on that resale value and depreciation as this vehicle is brand new and should be more desirable. The resale values don’t always reflect the quality of the vehicle. Good examples are Hyundai and Kia making some great products but their resale values lag behind Toyota and Honda.

8. Conclusion- I think Nissan improved on things normal buyers care about. The exterior is stylish and more futuristic looking. The interior is vastly improved with better materials and more tech. The controls are easy to use. The interior is big and there’s tons of cargo space. The driver’s assistance tech is better than the competitors.

The new platform will help w/ improved handling & ride.