2021 Nissan Rogue: Fresh Air

Small SUVs are everywhere, and it’s for a good reason. We’ve all been in a position at some point where having a moderately sized station wagon would’ve made our lives easier. Hauling bulky items or carrying more people than the average sedan may not be something that comes up often in our lives, but when they do, not having the right vehicle for the job can make things more difficult than they need to be. With so many compact SUVs on the market right now, it can be hard to narrow down your choices. If you need a compact SUV that offers you versatility, safety, and comfort, wrapped up in a stylish package that’s sure to look contemporary for years to come, the 2021 Nissan Rogue might just be the right car for you. Check out the Nissan Dealer near you and book a test drive to see what makes the Rogue so unique because not all cars in this segment are created equal.

Redesigned Exterior

While preserving the Nissan design language in the basic shape of its grille, the rest of the front end has been cleaned up and smoothed over. Gone are the large headlights flanking the small grille of the 2020 model, and in its place are a much larger grille flanked by smaller, stylish signal lamps. The headlights are housed below, with air intakes to the side. The side profile has also been cleaned up, with the sculpted lines on the doors of the former bodystyle having given way to smooth doors that make the vehicle seem smaller and sporty overall.

Around the back, not much has changed, though the more angular design is carried through. One notable change that seems to be popping up everywhere in the automotive world is the spelling of the model name in bright, bold chrome letters somewhere on the back of the vehicles. Also on offer are a series of bright, cheerful paint colors that can even be had as a two-tone package that really highlights the sporty slant of the roof with its wind-cheating rear spoiler.

Interior Updates

Harkening back to 2013, the 2020 Rogue was the last of that generation, and with it goes, the outdated styling of the interior. Finally, after all this time, Nissan gives buyers an interior befitting of the modern era. There are two digital displays, one for the now ubiquitous center touchscreen and one for the gauge cluster, able to be customized to some degree. The seats can be had in luxurious quilted leather in the top trim, and both the front and rear seats are heated.

The rear doors swing open wide to show uncompromised rear legroom and comfort for three people across the bench seat. The rear cargo area features a sturdy plastic divider that can be moved into several different positions for all types of cargo. It can be used as a cargo stop for smaller items, to keep them from rolling around, as a cargo cover to hide whatever is housed in the back, or can be folded up entirely to open up the cargo area to fit large items without issue. It also allows you to drop the rear seats with a remote latch, no more struggling to fold seats down with complicated latches underneath them.

Drivetrain

The engine and drivetrain are largely carried over from last year, though the 2.5-liter four-cylinder has received an 11 horsepower bump bringing the power up to 181 hp for the 2021 model year. The Rogue makes use of an Xtronic CVT, which stands for Continuously Variable Transmission. Using a series of belts held at tension, it allows for smooth power delivery without the need to “shift.” Power is linear in nature and smooth to operate. This technology has existed in its most basic form since the Second World War. It has found its way into many different vehicles for many years since, though it has become even more popular in the last ten years thanks to a CVTs efficient operation. This means cars with them get better fuel economy no matter the engine used. While more expensive to produce than a regular automatic, they remain a popular choice for the economy-minded buyer.

Safety Technology

The 2021 Rogue features ten standard airbags, crumple zones, and an antilock braking system. While these systems are very common across all makes, one feature that is unique to Nissan is the Easy Fill Tire system. If you get a low tire pressure warning light and stop at a gas station to top off, there’ll be no need to go rummaging through the glove compartment for your tire pressure gauge. All you need to do is start filling the tire with air, and your Nissan Rogue will sound the horn with a tiny, short beep when the pressure has reached the correct level. No more guesswork and fumbling around with gauges.

Another unique feature is the car’s EBD system. The Electronic Brake (Force) Distribution system can sense the amount of weight being carried in the back and adjust the brake force to the load. The system can also assist in applying maximum braking force when the car detects an emergency situation. The 2021 Nissan Rogue has the most standard features of any vehicle in its class, and this offers you technology that would cost extra just about where else you look. Those six standard technologies are:

• Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection: Sensors on the front of the car watch the road ahead and warn you if the car is getting too close to something in front of it. It will then apply the brakes to bring the car to a stop if an object gets too close to the front after the warning is sounded.
• Rear Automatic Braking: Similar to the system above, this system will monitor the rear of the car when in reverse and will stop it if you’re about to hit something.
• Lane Departure Warning: The car will vibrate the steering wheel slightly if it detects you are starting to drift out of your lane as a reminder to correct it.
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert: This system will alert you if something is about to cross your path while backing up.
• High Beam Assist: Your high beams will automatically dim for a moment if the car detects another heading towards you in the oncoming lane and turn back on after it passes.
• Blind Spot Warning: Sensors monitor your blind spots and will blink a light on the side view mirror to let you know if there is a car you can’t see before you attempt a lane change.

Go Rogue

In a field of cars this broad, it can be difficult to choose the best vehicle for your family. The 2021 Nissan Rogue ditches the blobby, outdated styling of the outgoing model and introduces a fresh new take on small SUVs. The interior has been made significantly more comfortable and appealing. Lastly, the Rogue gives you the most standard safety features of any other car in its class. Competitively priced, boldly redesigned, safe, and practical. That’s the new 2021 Nissan Rogue. So, if you need an SUV that can check off all the boxes and that you will actually want to drive, then it’s time to get behind the wheel of the Rogue.