The 2010 Nissan Rogue deserves strong consideration as a compact crossover SUV due to its capable and "fun-to-drive" handling, well-designed and high-quality-materials interior, edgy styling and comfortable seating. One negative, however, is its somewhat modest cargo capacity. If you value performance, quality and style, the new Rogue may just fit the bill. If you need to maximize space, it may not.
Pretty much all compact crossovers have carlike road manners, one of the key reasons for their immense popularity. But even among its peers, the Rogue's drivng demeanor stands out with its responsive steering and a suspension that nicely balances handling the bumps while limiting body roll when cornering. Toss in its stylish look and finely crafted cabin and you've got a serious contender.
It certainly belongs right there with segment leaders such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. While they may have the edge in cargo capacity and versatility, the Rogue balances things out with its better driving dynamics, nicer interior and head-turning design.
Trims, Standard Features And Options:
The 2010 Rogue is a 5-passenger compact crossover SUV offered in three trims: S, SL and S Krom Edition.
Standard features on the already well-equipped base Rogue S model include full power accessories, air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry, 16 inch steel wheels, a tilt steering wheel and a 4-speaker stereo system with a CD player and an auxiliary jack.
There's also an available Value package for the S that adds a back-up camera with a rearview-mirror-mounted display, a chrome grill, a rear spoiler, 16 inch alloy wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and tinted windows.
Moving up to the Rogue SL adds to the S model's standard features with roof rails, a trip computer, 17 inch alloy wheels, a fold-down front passenger seat, tinted windows and a dual-level center console tray.
Available option packages for the SL include the Premium package, which adds keyless entry, keyless ignition, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, a cargo cover, foglights, a foldable cargo organizer, Bluetooth and a 7-speaker Bose audio system with a 6-CD/MP3 changer. In addition, all-wheel-drive SL models with this package also get xenon headlights and manual shift transmission control.
There's also a Leather package for the SL that, besides the leather upholstery, also adds a 6-way power driver seat, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a one-touch up/down driver window. There's also an available sunroof as a stand-alone option.
New this year is the Rogue S Krom Edition which contributes still more sportiness on the base S features with 17 inch brilliant finish aluminum-alloy wheels, Dunlop ST20 Grandtrek or Continental Conti 4×4 Contact tires, a unique grille in a more aggressively designed front fascia with integrated fog lights, a rear sport fascia with an integrated center-mounted exhaust, a body-colored rear spoiler, rear privacy glass, body-colored power outside mirrors, a Krom emblem and steering wheel-mounted audio controls
Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:
The 2010 Rogue is offered in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive forms and is powered by a 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. It's mated with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). In performance tests, an AWD Rogue SL was timed from a standstill to 60 mph in a very competitive 9.2 seconds (for a four-cylinder compact crossover).
The EPA-estimated gas mileage for the front-wheel-drive Rogue comes in around the segment average, at 22 mpg city and 27 mpg on the highway. The AWD models drops only slightly to 21 mpg city and 26 highway.
Safety:
Standard safety features on all Rogue models include antilock disc brakes (ABS) with brake assist, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.
While the 2010 Nissan Rogue hadn't been government crash tested at the time of this writing, the 2009 model earned top five-out-of-five-star ratings for front and rear side-impact protection for all occupants. In frontal-impacts, the Rogue received five stars for driver protection and four stars for front passenger protection.
Interior:
The cabin of the 2010 Rogue is one of the best in its price range. It's attractive, user-friendly and solidly constructed with high grade materials. Unusual for this segment is its soft-touch dashboard, while both fthe front and rear seats are comfortable and supportive. To compensate for a shortage of storage compartments, the Rogue offers a large center console bin, a huge glovebox and a fairly unique under-floor organizer.
Unlike some competing rear seats, the Rogue loses some versatility by their inability to recline or slide forward and back. With the rear seatbacks upright, cargo room is about average at 28.9 cubic feet. When they are folded, storage room is boosted to 57.9 cubic feet, but is still on the small side for its class.
Drive:
The 2010 Rogue ups the ante on a crossover's expected carlike ride by driving like a car with excellent road dynamics. It easily handles the bumps and rough spots while still offering precise steering and good body control. While not available with V6 power, it is likely that most drivers will be satisfied with the four-cylinder's performance.
How To Get The Lowest Price:
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