The Rogue is one of Nissan’s top sellers after making its debut in 2008 as a versatile crossover with a penchant for breaking the rules. Where other crossovers forced drivers to choose between luxury, innovative technology, and affordability, the Rogue didn’t. Today, the 2023 Nissan Rogue shares that same approach with its high-value packaging that combines versatility with functionality, luxury, and intuitive tech. Best-in-class fuel economy and exclusive features make the package even sweeter.
As the Rogue celebrates its 15th year in the Nissan lineup, it’s only fitting to look at its trajectory over the years. The 2023 Rogue may share the same goals as the 2008 model, but they are remarkably different in many ways. Here’s a closer look at the Rogue that started it all compared to the latest iteration of the best-selling Rogue destined to impress.
Trims and Pricing
Nissan kept things simple with the 2008 Rogue and offered the new crossover in two trims––S and SL––with a starting price of around $20,000. Both modes were available with Nissan’s all-wheel drive system and came standard with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine. Over the years, Nissan expanded the Rogue’s lineup and slightly increased its price to accommodate rising costs.
The 2023 Rogue, which starts at $27,360, is available in five well-equipped trims––S, SV, Midnight Edition, SL, and Platinum. The expanding lineup gives drivers more options to find the perfect SUV for their style, driving, and budget needs. It also offers Nissan more opportunities to add value to entry-level trims like the S, which comes standard with advanced features like the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite.
Performance
The 2008 Rogue defied the standards of the segment by delivering an engaging driving experience without compromising efficiency or ride quality. Nissan accomplished the feat by outfitting the 2008 Rogue with a 2.5L four-cylinder engine, advanced Xtronic continuously variable transmission, and a four-wheel independent suspension. The combination produced an exceptional balance of power and responsiveness, with the engine delivering 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque.
After 15 years, power remains a critical component for the Rogue, and Nissan delivers with the 2023 model. With ongoing advancements to its powertrain lineup, Nissan does something impressive with the Rogue by outfitting it with a standard 1.5L variable compression turbocharged engine and the latest generation of the Xtronic transmission. The pairing is remarkable, with the turbocharged powerplant producing 201 horsepower and a class-leading 225 lb-ft of torque.
Efficiency
As a crossover, the Rogue has always been an efficient powerhouse, but that efficiency has only improved with time. For example, the 2008 Rogue boasted an average fuel economy of 22 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway for two-wheel-drive models and 21 MPG and 26 MPG, respectively, for all-wheel drive models. Fortunately, advancements in the industry have improved these numbers, with the 2023 Rogue offering a best-in-class fuel economy of 30 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway for front-wheel drive models.
Interior Design
The Rogue’s interior has always focused on comfort, convenience, and luxury. The first-generation Rogue was impressive for the era and offered many upgrades, like a trip computer, leather-appointed seating, and steering wheel-mounted controls for the audio, cruise control, and Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System. You could also add heated front seats, heated exterior mirrors, and a flat-folding passenger seat that extended the Rogue’s cargo capacity to accommodate items up to 8.5 feet long.
Today, the 2023 Rogue takes a different approach to comfort and luxury. For example, the cockpit is home to digital displays and intuitive technology that puts vital information within immediate view. Functional features like the butterfly-opening center console make passing items between the front and second rows easier, while the redesigned second-row doors improve access with their 90-degree opening angles. Leather seating remains a staple on top-tier trims like the Platinum, which complements other conveniences like the available power liftgate and Nissan’s exclusive Divide-N-Hide cargo floor that lets you take full advantage of the SUV’s 74.1 cubic feet of cargo room.
Connectivity Features
Connectivity features were hard to come by in the new millennium, particularly the digital displays and wireless smartphone integration that we’re accustomed to today. Instead, drivers had to shift their focus from the road to the radio and their phones until models like the Rogue gave us access to features like Bluetooth connectivity. The 2008 Rogue’s Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System allowed drivers to use voice commands to answer the phone and make calls. Depending on your budget, you could take full advantage of the feature and outfit the Rogue with steering wheel-mounted controls for easier accessibility.
Bluetooth connectivity remains a staple for the Rogue, but the crossover also makes advanced technology readily available. For example, the 2023 Rogue comes standard with an eight-inch or optional nine-inch touchscreen display that gives you seamless access to your smartphone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto integration. From the driver’s seat, you also have access to a seven-inch meter display or an available 12.3-inch color display that complements the Rogue’s 10.8-inch full-color head-up display. Finally, for the ultimate connectivity, you’ll find wireless Apple CarPlay integration and a virtual assistant like Amazon Alexa on top-tier trims like the Rogue Platinum.
Safety and Driver-Assist Technology
Nissan has always prioritized safety, but the automaker’s delivery has changed over the years as new standards and technology have developed. For example, the 2008 Rogue was built on Nissan’s newly introduced C Platform with Zone Body Construction and an Advanced Air Bag system that featured dual-stage front airbags and front seat Active Head Restraints. Nissan also added front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental airbags and roof-mounted curtain supplemental airbags with rollover detection.
Fast forward 15 years and safety standards have dramatically changed. The Rogue has earned numerous top safety ratings from organizations like the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, reflecting Nissan’s commitment to driver and passenger safety. This commitment is best showcased in the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, which outfits the Rogue with the most safety features in the segment.
The Safety Shield 360 compliments the Rogue’s high-strength steel design and outfits the crossover with advanced tools like Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and High Beam Assist. The 2023 Rogue comes standard with ten airbags, a Rear Door Alert, and Nissan’s Intelligent Driver Alertness technology. Luckily, Nissan doesn’t stop there.
The 2023 Rogue makes your time in the driver’s seat more engaging and enjoyable with tools like ProPILOT Assist. While the 2008 Rogue offered cruise control, the 2023 Rogue takes that standard feature even further. ProPILOT Assist relies on Intelligent Cruise Control and the available Navi-link system via Nissan’s Door to Door Navigation to help you navigate the road ahead. By using a forward-facing radar and sensors, the technology monitors the traffic ahead and adjusts the Rogue’s cruising speed as needed. Since the system also works in stop-and-go traffic, even your rush-hour commute is less stressful when you’re behind the wheel of Nissan’s best-selling SUV.
The Past Meets the Present With the Rogue
The Rogue lives up to its name by continuing to defy industry standards. With the Rogue, drivers no longer have to compromise or settle for anything less than extraordinary. Instead, they can have it all without spending a fortune. The 2008 Rogue started the legacy, and the 2023 Rogue continues it, proving rebelliousness and a penchant for rule-breaking isn’t always a bad thing, at least not when it bears the Nissan name.
