Unlike some other crossovers, which offer a third row of cramped, barely usable seats, the Rogue instead offers 57.9 cubic feet of cargo volume with the rear seats folded. And, with a 5-inch longer wheelbase, the 2011 Rogue uses that larger space by offering extra legroom in the front seats, which is much appreciated.
I tested the Rogue SV, which replaces the SL model. It came with front and rear leather seats, heated front seats and Nissan’s navigation system with Bose Premium Audio System (which is the first time a Rogue has had a nav system added). A power sliding moonroof was a nice addition (part of the SL package at $3,800).
Additionally, the center console was simple and not overpowering, as so many vehicles seem to be over-engineered when it comes to center consoles anymore. The interior controls, including the navigation system and XM satellite controls, were simple, easy to figure out and practically located as was the auxillary USB jack.
The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine of the Rogue is mated with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which makes this one of the quickest four-cylinder crossovers on the market. Engine noise is a little overpowering at higher RPMs and carries over into the backseat, where the cabin noise is even more noticeable, even at lower RPMs.
My tester came equipped with all-wheel drive, which is a must with this vehicle. With AWD, the Rogue really shows off its handling and sharp steering. Of course, if you’re looking for an off-road vehicle, look elsewhere. but for wet roads, the Rogue is as good as you’re going to find in the crossover category. Power is shifted between the front and rear wheels to maintain traction; an antiskid system is appreciated safety equipment. Living here, in the unpredictable weather capital, that feature is invaluable.
The base Rogue S model with front-wheel drive starts at $20,800, for those looking for a smaller price, although, there is an AWD version of the Rogue S model that starts at $22,000.
An attractive safety feature was the high-intesity discharge Xenon headlights. With a manual levelizer, drivers can adjust the intensity and angle of their headlights. With these sharp-looking headlights, you can certainly spot a Rogue coming in the dark.
While Nissan generally leaves extravagant touches to some of its competitors, my tester didn’t lack for a few luxury items. Nissan’s new intelligent key was an impressive touch which allowed for keyless entry and keyless remote start. This is a feature usually only seen in luxury vehicles but is standard on all Rogues. Included as part of the SV upgrade is the aforementioned audio system with six-disc in-dash CD changer and seven speakers plus a subwoofer. Add Bluetooth hands-free phone linking, a rearview camera and wheel-mounted audio controls and you’ve got a crossover with some added luxury.
With a starting price of $24,470 for the AWD version, the 2011 Nissan Rogue SV manages to offer just enough of everything to remain compeititve within the crossover category.
Jimmy Dinsmore is the Wheels editor at the Dayton Daily News and may be reached at (937) 225-2115 or jdinsmore@coxohio.com.
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