2012 Nissan Rogue in Bradenton

The 2012 Nissan Rogue is an appealing compact SUV with carlike road manners, cargo utility and prudent fuel economy. The Rogue is a worthy competitor vs. the Honda CR-V. The Nissan matches the Honda for carlike road manners and fuel economy. The Rogue is a good choice for drivers looking for a daily commuter with lots of cargo space. For 2012, all models gain a Sport mode switch, and a new Special Edition Package is available. The value-oriented package includes steering-wheel stereo controls, a backup camera, a USB port, satellite radio and fog lights. Meanwhile, the SL Package gains Nissan's Around View Monitor. The Nissan Rogue is a compact SUV.

Powering the 2012 Rogue

All 2012 Rogue models have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 170 horsepower mated to a continuously variable transmission. The four-cylinder engine works well with the CVT to provide decent performance and frugal fuel economy. Behind the wheel, the Rogue offers carlike ride and handling.  The continuously variable transmission works well with the engine, quickly switching to an appropriate ratio for the driving conditions. The only way to tell that it's not a standard automatic is to floor the accelerator and keep it there. The transmission reacts by picking the ratio to put the engine in its optimum rev range and keeping it there. Since the transmission allows the engine to rev only as high as needed, it aids in fuel economy, particularly in the city. The transmission is also a bonus in hilly driving or slowing in snow or ice where you might like to avoid the brake pedal because selecting L will easily bring speed down to 10-15 mph on level ground.

2012 Nissan Rogue Design

The styling of the Rogue is swoopy, with rounded lines and a wedge shape from front to rear. Flared rear shoulders, a contoured hood, large wheel housings and an upswept window line give the Rogue a sporty feel. Side mirrors are black on the Rogue S and body color on the Rogue SV. The standard wheels on the Rogue S are stamped steel with plastic covers that look like five-spoke alloys from a distance. The 17-inch aluminum wheels that come with the Rogue SV add a touch of drama, with five Y spokes that seem to actively cling to the rim; 18-inch wheels are also available. Utility is enhanced by numerous convenient storage and ultra-functionality features, including an oversized glove compartment, a large center console and a washable, removable tray that fits below the cargo area floor to hold wet or dirty gear and tools. The driver gets a variety of cupholders, a memo/pen holder, coin holder and cell phone/sunglasses holders.  Cargo utility is improved by a number of features. Rogue SV includes a folding front passenger seat, which folds almost flat to allow loading of longer items. A cargo floor undertray comes on all models and a foldable cargo organizer is available as an accessory to help prevent groceries and other cargo from rolling around; there are also grocery bag hooks and tie-down points.

New Rogue Trim Levels

Rogue S comes with manual air conditioning, cloth upholstery, tilt steering wheel, four-way manually adjustable front seats, cruise control, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD stereo with four speakers and iPod connectivity, 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat, trip computer, 12-volt power outlet, and 215/70R16 all-season tires on steel wheels.

Rogue SV and Rogue SV AWD feature automatic air conditioning, upgraded cloth upholstery, power driver seat, fold-flat front passenger seat, premium audio with six speakers, iPod/USB input, XM radio, Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls, 4.3-inch color display, rearview monitor, intelligent key, painted mirrors, Yakima-compatible roof rails.

The SL package upgrades to leather-appointed seats, automatic temperature control, heated front seats and outside mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 225/55R18 tires, the Nissan Navigation System with 5.0-inch display, XM NavTraffic, Bose audio system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, xenon automatic headlights, and the moonroof.

Conclusions 

Based on a car platform, it's considered a crossover vehicle, like the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and Chevy Equinox. Safety features of the 2012 Rogue include dual front airbags, torso-protecting front side airbags, head-protecting side-curtain airbags with rollover sensors, front seat active head restraints, LATCH-style child seat anchors, tire-pressure monitor, ABS with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), and electronic stability control with traction control.  For more on this model, visit the official Nissan Rogue website!