2012 Nissan Rogue Overview Change Vehicle

This 2012 Nissan Rogue review explains changes for the model year, provides a summary of the 2012 Rogue, and includes Nissan Rogue safety, reliability, and fuel economy ratings.

Nissan offers an extensive lineup of crossovers and SUVs. The Rogue is a crossover SUV, a small model slotting into the lineup above the Nissan Juke and below the Nissan Murano. It competes with models such as the Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4.

Nissan freshened the Rogue for 2011, and makes minor refinements for 2012. All models now have a Sport mode for the transmission, and Graphite Blue is a new exterior color for 2012. The Rogue 2.5 SV gets a new alloy wheel design as well as a standard AroundView 360-degree monitoring system that Nissan claims is the first application of the technology on a non-luxury model. A new Special Edition Package is offered on the Rogue 2.5 S, adding 16-inch alloy wheels, dark tinted rear glass, fog lights, satellite radio, a USB port, steering wheel audio controls, and a reversing camera.

Nissan’s packaging strategy for the 2012 Rogue is odd. There are actually four models available – 2.5 S, 2.5 S Special Edition, 2.5 SV, and 2.5 SL – but Nissan makes the Special Edition an option on the S, and the SL an option on the SV.

The Rogue 2.5 S comes with air conditioning, power windows with driver’s side one-touch operation, power door locks with remote keyless entry, power side mirrors, cruise control, a tilt steering wheel, and a trip computer. The four-speaker stereo has a CD/MP3 player, an auxiliary audio input jack, and an iPod interface, and the driver’s seat features manual height adjustment. Though basic, the Rogue 2.5 S is decently equipped. The main reasons to upgrade are the truly cheap-looking 16-inch steel wheels and their simple plastic wheel covers.

That means buying the Rogue 2.5 Special Edition model. The wheel issue is somewhat resolved with 16-inch five-spoke alloys nearly as uninspired in appearance as the plastic wheel covers, and the Special Edition model is equipped with dark tinted rear glass, fog lights, and a reversing camera. The sound system is also improved with satellite radio, a USB port, steering wheel audio controls, and a 4.3-inch color in-dash information display.

For less than $2,500 over the price of the basic 2.5 S, you can get the 2.5 SV. If you can swing it, we strongly urge you to go in this direction. Handsome split-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, dark tinted rear glass, body-color side mirrors, and roof rails are included on this model, along with premium cloth seats and a handy fold-flat front passenger’s seat. Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, a six-speaker sound system with a USB port and satellite radio, audio and phone controls on the steering wheel, and a reversing camera are also standard on the 2.5 SV. There’s more, in the form of Nissan Intelligent Key with push-button ignition, a six-way power driver’s seat with power lumbar support, and a 4.3-inch color in-dash information display.

Nissan offers two main option packages on the Rogue 2.5 SV. The first is the Premium Package, which includes a navigation system with real-time traffic reporting, automatic climate control, automatic headlights, and a power sunroof. This package is included in the SL Package, essentially a trim level upgrade that also contains unique 18-inch alloy wheels, leather on the seats and steering wheel, a premium Bose audio system, heated side mirrors and front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Xenon headlights, and fog lights. The SL Package also includes Nissan’s AroundView 360-degree monitoring system, which shows an overhead image of the Rogue and its surroundings on the navigation screen.

Equipped with every option, including all-wheel drive, the Rogue 2.5 SV with the SL Package stays just under $30,000. If you’re able to resist the extensive menu of dealer-installed items, this represents pretty good value.

The Rogue is equipped with a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine connected to an Xtronic continually variable transmission (CVT) with Adaptive Shift Control and a Sport mode. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all versions of the Rogue can be equipped with all-wheel drive. EPA fuel economy ratings are 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive, and 22-city/26-highway with AWD.

Standard safety features include six airbags, four-wheel vented-disc antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, and a stability and traction control system. A reversing camera is standard on all models except the 2.5 S without the Special Edition Package, and the 2.5 SV with the SL Package is equipped with a 360-degree AroundView monitor.

In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2012 Rogue receives a 4-Star overall crashworthiness rating. Frontal-impact protection rates 4 Stars, side-impact protection rates 5 Stars, and rollover resistance rates 4 Stars.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Rogue favorable crash-test scores. The compact crossover SUV receives the highest rating of Good in the frontal-, side-, and rear-impact crash protection assessments. The result keeping the Rogue off of the Top Safety Pick list is its Acceptable roof crush strength rating.

Reliability looks good, too. J.D. Power and Associates predicts average dependability over time, but Consumer Reports makes a more favorable prediction of better than average reliability over time.

The 2012 Nissan Rogue is definitely on the small side, even for compact crossover SUVs. Cargo volume measures 28.9 cubic-feet behind the rear seats, which is competitive. However, cargo space behind the front seats is just 57.9 cu-ft. Good thing the Rogue 2.5 SV and SL have a fold-flat front passenger’s seat that allows for items up to 8.5 feet in length to be carried inside the vehicle with the rear hatch closed.

You’re not going to want to tow anything with the Rogue. With its optional Class I towing equipment, the front-drive model can tug up to 1,000 pounds, and the Rogue AWD can tackle a trailer weighing up to 1,500 lbs.

The Rogue is entertaining to drive. Its responsive 170-horsepower engine, which makes 175 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm, is one reason. But the Rogue also weighs between 3,300 and 3,500 pounds, and is equipped with a 52/48 front-to-rear weight distribution with front-wheel drive. That’s a weight distribution more common to sports cars than crossover SUVs.

We’re big fans of the 2012 Nissan Rogue, and not just because it’s fun to drive. The Rogue is safe, dependable, fuel efficient, and a good value. Plus, it’s built out of materials that look and feel like quality. The only real negative is its unimpressive maximum cargo volume measurement. Otherwise, the Rogue deserves consideration if you’re looking for a small, affordable crossover SUV.

By Christian Wardlaw