It’s as simple as any other crossover out there like it to drive, and yet it’s stiff and rugged at times like an off-roader. So many in this segment and beyond are one or the other, making the Rogue unique in its road manners. It’s an odd sensation for a vehicle to simultaneously feel so hefty and almost truck-like, yet also so nimble and feather-light. While it lacks the outright ride comfort of key competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, the Rogue remains well composed despite jostling around over anything but rolling roadways. Fault both the chassis and suspension damping for this, with cracks and bumps in the road unsettling the ride somewhat – particularly at city speeds. The rethought Rogue takes its role as a mini truckster quite seriously, and the ride quality comes across at times as rather rigid as a result. The quietness of the cabin also impressed during that late-November adventure, with pounding rain doing little to disrupt the ride.
Not much settling or shifting was required over the course of a multi-hour outing covering a variety of road types and weather conditions. Those seats not only look good, but they provide plenty of support during long drives, too. It’s not quite as nice as the cabin of the top-of-the-line Mazda CX-5, but then it’s not as expensive, either. The loaded Platinum model, meanwhile, is offered with perforated and stitched leather seats finished in a choice of black or tan that feel the part of the $40,000 asking price. Even the base version gets a unique look, with textured charcoal upholstery on the seats and door panels that’s set against a black and brown backdrop. Inside, every trim benefits from a nice mix of materials and colours that stands out from the usual sea of black in this segment. While a selection of two-tone exterior finishes give the Rogue something of a sportier look, the rich red paint worn by this tester keeps it classy. From there, it blends ruggedness with the right amount of elegance to leapfrog much of the competition with its standout styling. Its squared-off shape is similar to that of the Subaru Forester, boasting more presence than before despite being slightly smaller by some measures.
While shades of its predecessor can be spotted without squinting, the overhauled version is a handsome machine. Indeed, Nissan is charting a new course with its bread-winning compact crossover, and the Rogue’s new look certainly shows it.
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