You’ve got to get behind the wheel of the 2021 Nissan Rogue
I got to try out the 2021 Nissan Rogue in Scarlet Ember Tintcoat and I was very impressed. Nissan has made a lot of changes for the 2021 redesign of the compact SUV Crossover that buyers will fall in love with! It’s eye-catching gorgeous with a high profile, curves, and room to put plenty of junk in the trunk! The 2021 model year will mark the start of a new generation for the Nissan Rogue.Â
The Rogue asthetec has a more boxier truck look that has some similarity to the Altima and redesigned Sentra compact but they’ve added some luxurious oomph make it all its own with a nod to the weekend warrior that won’t look out of place in a national park near a campfire!
I’m a believer that it’s important that what you drive fits with your life and Nissan really puts a lot of thought into who would be purchasing the Nissan Rogue. They designed storage cubbies in the front for everything people use today from your coffee cup to cell phone, sunglasses, hydration flask (got to drink ½ gallon of water a day!) to where to put the key fob. They are put so that the driver and passenger don’t feel as if they are in the way but still easy to grab! I love the deep cubby indoor with room for large items (I love to have a journal in the car to jot down notes). The dashboard is bi-level and LOOKS expensive and doesn’t obstruct your view as your look across all you survey driving tall in the Rogue! I got to test drive the SL which comes with genuine leather (so does the Platinum level with semi-aniline hide with quilted stitching) and it’s cloth seating for the standard model and the SV has optional faux-leather.Â
It’s a comfortable interior that allows you to personalize the climate for driver, passenger and backseat (will keep down arguing) and the front seat rides like royalty with heated steering wheel and front seats as available features. I loved the leg room in the front (as expected have always been impressed that Nissan takes into account long legs/tall people) and when I sat in the back was happy that it was comfortable for me to get in and out of easily (even with the front seat pushed back a bit) with 37 cubic-feet. The designers thought about the passengers with the built in screen, storage at the back of the seat, pull down middle seat to hold beverages, easy to install child carseats, and that you can configure (fold back seats) to accommodate your needs. It’s perfect for kids and large enough for adults.
It’s an enjoyable drive with the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine and 181-hp. It’s front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel optional. I drove around Los Angeles and hit the highway to visit my OC friend (in my bubble). It was a big change to be in a crossover able to see all the other autos and get warning sensors when they got too close. I was able to test out the sport mode and it felt very different from the standard. I found it more responsive when hitting the gas pedal and a smooth acceleration. I didn’t notice any major change and kept my eye on the speedometer (didn’t want a speeding ticket) since I never felt any major change from 30 to 70 or get any ‘noise’ with the windows closed. Really even when I had the ginourmous sunroof open I didn’t get any wind sound at all. I found the MPG to be pretty good and found I was getting 20+ MPG so was quite surprised it was a little better than my compact.
I’m a bit of tech nerd and have a love to gadgets and I love the touchscreen infotainment system on the dashboard. On the SL and Platinum models a 9.0 inch is available and the 8.0 inch is standard. No matter what the size it’s perfectly situated for the driver and passenger to change the station, type in GPS and be able to see the front and backup cameras! No matter what model of cell phone/tech Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard and they have optional high-end features of a Bose stereo system and in-dash navigation are available. If you purchase the Platinum model it has an exclusive 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster with a 10.8-ince display and wireless smartphone charging pad. I didn’t get to see that but it sounds like goals to me!
I live in Los Angeles and don’t trust my fellow drivers an INCH so I was very happy to have the driver assistance features that come with Nissan’s ProPilot Assist that’s an option for the Rogue SL and standard on Platinum. Safety issues that came in handy for the week I had it included the standard automated emergency breaking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and cruise control with semi-autonomus driving mode. I had a couple of people SEE me backing up and still walk behind me AND one woman decided to speed up and drive around my car when I was backing out of a space <fume>.
The 2021 Nissan Rogue comes with the standard warranty coverage. Limited warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles and powertrain warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles.
All in all, I was beyond impressed with the SUV Crossover! I loved how it drove, all of the room, how airy and light (great sunroof), plenty of room for passengers and my stuff. When I think of an SUV Crossover I always think they are too big to accommodate my life. I’m always worried about gas mileage, it being too big to park in my apt building, and just too much for me. But the 2021 Nissan Rogue was easy to drive, fit my parking space, was so good to be tall, and able to see everything. I loved the sunroof and drove with it open all the time (didn’t mess up my curls). I turned on the heated steering wheel because my hands get cold and the seat because .. well I say ‘treat-yo-self’ it just felt so good. I loved all the attention and compliments I got not only when driving just while parked. People kept walking up to ask what it was. It’s a great SUV Crossover that must be on your list if looking for an auto to accommodate up to five if you like to haul stuff around or just because you want to try something new. It’s gorgeous, fun to drive, and good on gas. Designed for not only what you were looking for but what you didn’t even know you wanted till you sit in the driver’s seat.
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