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2013 Nissan Rogue SV AWD Review

2013 Nissan Rogue

The 2013 Nissan Rogue carries over relatively unchanged from the previous model year, but gets some new enhancements. They include a new Premium Edition which replaces the previous Premium Package.  The new Premium Edition adds fog lights, Bose audio system with 7 speakers and subwoofer, automatic air conditioning, power moonroof, auto on/off headlights and Nissan Navigation System. Also, a Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System and two additional speakers (6 total) are added to the new S model package.

The Rogue hasn’t changed much since it was restyled inside and out for the 2011 model year. For 2011, the electronics were advanced, and the packaging of the models changed. The 2013 Nissan Rogue is a compact SUV and offers seating for five. The Rogue is based on the Sentra sedan platform and competes in the highly competitive small crossover segment. Those competitors would include the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester and Chevy Equinox.

2013 Nissan Rogue

All-wheel drive is available for all-weather driving capability. The Rogue is designed to be a daily commuter and weekend runabout, but it’s certainly not an off-road adventure vehicle. With a towing capacity of just 1,500 pounds, it’s meant more for city driving duties.

Features and options

The 2013 Rogue SV ($26,050) that we’ll be testing this week features automatic air conditioning, power driver seat, fold-flat front passenger seat, premium audio with six speakers, iPod/USB input, XM radio, Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls, intelligent key, painted mirrors, Yakima-compatible roof rails.

The SL package ($3,900) adds the Nissan Navigation System with 5.0-inch color touch screen display and XM NavTraffic, and automatic HID Xenon headlights. It also adds heated leather seats, heated mirrors, rearview monitor, power moonroof, fog lights and 18-inch wheels. A Bose premium audio system with seven speakers and a subwoofer is also a part of the package.

2013 Nissan Rogue interior

A quality spacious cabin

The Rogue features a spacious cabin for a small crossover. The interior is trimmed with quality materials and has a tight finish. The dash gets molded in a soft-touch material that could be out of an upper level Infiniti. The door tops also have a nice soft-touch material with the rest of the materials in price-appropriate plastic. The driver’s seat is comfortable and offers six-way power adjustability.

The second row is roomy and offers plenty of head and leg room for adults. Cargo space is not at the top of the class but is good for most families needs. The second-row seats split 60/40, and they fold flat in an easily in one-step. The cargo capacity opens up to the maximum 57.9 cubic feet of useful space.

On the Rogue SV, the front passenger seat folds flat for additional cargo carrying ability A cargo floor undertray is featured on all models and there are also grocery bag hooks and tie-down points in the rear cargo area.

2013 Nissan Rogue rear

A fuel-efficient drivetrain

Rogue’s 2.5-liter engine makes 170 horsepower and 170 lg ft of torque. It’s mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a Sport Mode. The CVT is used in many small vehicles today and aids in increasing fuel economy. And fuel economy is quite good in the Rogue, with an EPA-estimated 22/27 mpg City/Highway with AWD.

The Rogue is not built for towing nor is it intended for off-road duty, but is based on a car platform. That makes it ideal for a commuter vehicle, it’s a crossover with car-like manners and is one of the better handing compact SUV’s. The 2013 Nissan Rogue AWD is a highly capable all-weather daily commuter with plenty of cargo space for a small families needs.

2013 Nissan Rogue side

    1. Most stock pictures are all the same – taken from the manufacturer. When doing car reviews sometimes we take our own photos and sometimes we use the photos provided by the car maker. The photo you mentioned was accidentally taken from the concept car – an overlook in proofreading before publishing, so thanks for pointing that out, it’s been corrected.

  1. I feel that dense and clumped front controls, as is in the pic above, not only look bad but also make the interior feel less spacious.

  2. For me, it seems like a bit off as an SUV, but the exterior of this vehicle is really enticing and I still have high hopes for this new one.

  3. I really like the interior of the Rogue, clean, well laid out, no ugly gaps,soft touch materials. The Rogue is really nice and truly underrated.

  4. Look out for no storage for phone , charger, cigarettes, …etc. no storage by gear shift or above. Other than that….excellent vehicle.

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