Nissan’s response to the burgeoning compact crossover market, the 2018 Nissan Rogue Sport is a practical choice. It may not be the most exciting car, but it benefits from features and technology stolen from its larger sibling. Still, the Rogue Sport faces stiff competition from makers like Honda and Mazda.
What's New for 2018
New in 2017, the Rogue Sport returns mechanically unchanged for another year. The only changes are in the packages: the SV All-Weather and Premium Packages have been folded together and rebranded as the SV Technology Package, and the SL Platinum Package has been renamed the SL Premium Package.
Choosing Your Nissan Rogue Sport
The Rogue Sport is shorter than the full-size Rogue, so there’s no option for a third row of seats. All Rogue Sports are powered by a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque. The EPA estimates mileage up to 25 mpg city, 32 highway, and 28 combined, which is (surprisingly) less efficient than the larger Rogue. All-wheel drive is available as an option on all trims for $1,350 and drops fuel economy to 24 city, 30 highway, and 27 combined mpg.
Cargo capacity is respectable at 22.9 cubic feet behind the second row and up to 61.1 cu. ft. with the seats folded down. All Rogue Sports also come with tech features like a rearview camera and extended Apple's Siri eyes-free voice controls (provided you're carrying a compatible iPhone that's connected via Bluetooth).
Buyers can choose from three available trims: S, SV, and SL.
Stick to the SV trim if you’re considering the Rogue Sport. The safety features of the SL are nice, but they bump the price into the range of full-fledged SUVs. As you’d expect from Nissan, the Rogue Sport is sensible and solid, but make sure you also check out the cheap and competent Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-3.