2021 Nissan Rogue SV AWD Review - Comfortable Conformity

The word “rogue” has several meanings, and one of those meanings relates to someone who goes their own way – someone who has “gone rogue.” This is why it’s long been ironic that Nissan slaps the moniker on a conformist crossover.

I am sure I am not the first to point this out, but it bears repeating, especially as the 2021 Nissan Rogue conforms to Nissan’s newest design identity.

Not the conformity is necessarily bad – the updated Rogue’s greatest strength is arguably style. It has a more aggressive look, thanks to boxier edges instead of rounded corners, and it borrows a lot of its interior design from other new Nissan models, which is good since the newer cabins make more of a statement than the bland interiors of recent vintage.

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 181 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque doesn’t make much of a statement, on the other hand. Unless “just fine for 80 percent of your driving needs” is a statement. You’ll scoot around the city just fine.

Nor will handling blow your mind – it, too, is just fine. It’s par for the small crossover class, maybe a bit above par. It’s a little bit sporty, but just a bit. It’s completely acceptable – and completely unremarkable. An available Sport mode makes the steering feel a little heavier and tighter, but like many sport modes, it only goes so far in terms of making the vehicle actually that much more fun to drive.

Ride quality for the lower (0.2 inches) and shorter (1.5 inches) is generally good, at least – this is a comfortable crossover for commuting duty.

Nissan’s XTronic continuously-variable automatic transmission, which often earns the ire of scribes like us, is the only transmission available. Despite its reputation, it was well-behaved in this application.

All four trims – S, SV, SL, and Platinum – offer front-wheel or all-wheel drive, and Nissan sent me an SV AWD for evaluation.

LED lights are standard on all Rogue trims. Other standard features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth.

Standard features for this trim included Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, which has been wonky in the past but worked as advertised here, steering assist, satellite radio, intelligent cruise control, blind-spot intervention, intelligent lane intervention, around-view monitor, and rear charge-only USB ports (one Type A, one Type C), 18-inch wheels, and keyless entry and starting.

Standard on all trims is Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 driver-aid/safety suite, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, high-beam assist, rear automatic braking, and rear-door alert.

My tester had no options, save floor mats and a cargo-area protector, which cost $385. All told, with the $1,095 destination fee, this second-from-base trim Rogue cost $30,220 as-tested and based at $28,740.

That’s not an objectionable price, though you’ll need to climb the trim ladder for leather and navigation.

Nor is the Rogue an objectionable crossover. It’s not particularly memorable – hence the relatively short word count on this here review – but it works well at a reasonable price. And looks pretty good while doing so.

That’s not necessarily “roguish” behavior. More like pretty mainstream, if you ask us.

But hey, car names are silly. So we can’t begrudge Nissan slapping an “edgy” name on a conformist crossover that does a lot of stuff well without really doing anything greatly (or poorly, for that matter).

It may not be much of a Rogue, but it does what it’s supposed to, and that’s undoubtedly good enough for Nissan and its buyers.

What’s New for 2021

The 2021 Nissan Rogue rides on a new platform and offers technology and driver-assist upgrades.

Who Should Buy It

The compact-crossover shopper who wants a value and the ability to blend in.

[Images © 2021 Tim Healey/TTAC.com]