First Drive: 2022 Nissan Rogue

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It’s usually pretty easy to recommend the latest-generation Nissan Rogue over its better-selling rivals from Toyota and Honda . The Rogue is spacious, well-equipped and fuel-efficient, but can be a bit boring to drive — not to mention noisy due to the buzzy four-cylinder and annoying continuously variable transmission. For 2022, Nissan is addressing the new model’s prime complaints with a bit of creativity and innovation.

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See, Nissan has this unique engine used in its Infiniti lineup and the Altima in the US. It seems like a simple turbocharged four-cylinder, but can adjust its compression ratio on the fly, allowing it to deliver more power with a higher compression ratio or slip into a lower compression ratio to improve fuel consumption. Now the Rogue is getting this feature in a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged variable compression engine.

This funky three-pot has an output of 201 horsepower at 5,600 RPM and 225 lb-ft of torque at 2,800 to 4,000 RPM. This is a hefty bump from the 181 horsepower and torque in the old 2.5-litre engines, and Nissan promises extremely competitive fuel consumption along with the jump in power. According to their estimates, it should bring in 7.6 litres per 100 km combined, a figure comparable to the brand’s FWD and less-powerful compact Sentra sedan (which gets 7.3 l/100 km combined).

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The motor is paired with a revised CVT with wider ratios and reduced friction, which also improves fuel economy while helping to limit noises and vibrations, which help make CVT infamous .

In practice, the new motor is punchy off the line, feeling far more alert and confident the moment you roll on to the throttle. That mid-range torque seems like a short peak, but the CVT works pretty hard to keep the good times rolling. As a result, getting up to speed or even making a pass is far easier and more confident, but this new motor doesn’t signal a more sport-oriented or enthusiast-friendly Rogue.

Bear in mind, Nissan claims a quieter and more efficient Rogue, though that might not be what every driver experiences since driving more aggressively with this newfound well of performance will tank fuel consumption. Additionally, the motor and CVT can still sound pretty harsh at full tilt. The VC Turbo seems like an ace in ideal situations , but it may not meet expectations when driven in real-world conditions. The trip computer indicated that the crossover was most efficient when motoring around at a consistent speed, like on the highway.

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The new motor solves critics’ concerns about performance and, in theory, gives the automaker a trump card in the form of fuel efficiency. It’s found in all versions of the Rogue except the base ‘S’ trim. Almost everything else about the 2022 Rogue carries over from last year’s model, although the automaker has responded to customer demands for more equipment in the Rogue. So a new SL trim slots in between the SV Premium Package models and the fully-loaded Platinum model.  The SL trim level includes wireless charging, navigation, and the three-zone climate control system from the top trim level.

The automaker also notes a limited jump in pricing, with front-wheel-drive base models with the 2.5-litre engine costing $28,998, while AWD is an extra $2,300 at $31,298. The new engine is found on the SV and higher trim levels. The SV arrives with all-wheel-drive, a large moonroof, and the ProPILOT Assist driver assistance suite for $35,598, while the SV Premium Package costs an extra $2,000 and adds a power liftgate, rear sunshades, rear heated seats and leatherette upholstery. The SL further improves upon that with an asking price of $39,998, while the top-trim Platinum model costs $41,998 and adds a head-up display, wireless phone charging, quilted leather seats, a Bose premium sound system, and a large 12.3-inch touchscreen.

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A superficial change to the new Rogue is the new logo that is found on the grille, wheel centre caps, liftgate and steering wheel. Following the brand’s redesign last year, the new logo still uses the Nissan name intersecting a circle but appears more modern with different spacing and a flatter overall look.

It’s not common for an automaker to update its best-selling vehicle within a year of a major redesign, but Nissan seems focused on changing perceptions about its brand. By introducing changes like those found in the 2022 Rogue, it presents as a company that’s listening to its customers and critics, and one that’s interested in providing innovative solutions like a variable compression turbocharged engine to a wider audience. It takes a while to rebuild reputations, but this is a positive first step in a new direction.