Nissan bolsters its crossover lineup this year with the Rogue Sport, a five-passenger compact positioned just below the current Rogue. Buyers in search of sporty looks and friendly pricing can find both in the new Sport.
The Rogue Sport is an all-new model.
The Sport features a lower profile and trimmer body than the standard Rogue. The tradeoff is no optional third row and about 10 fewer cubic feet of cargo space. Even so, the Rogue Sport holds a healthy amount for its size, up to 61.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.
Every Sport comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 141 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is available across the board for a reasonable $1,350. All models use a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
The Rogue Sport is offered in the same three trim levels as other Nissans:
Priced at $22,380 with destination, the S carries basic equipment like a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio, and a four-speaker sound system with a five-inch display and satellite radio. The only option for the S (besides all-wheel drive) is 17-inch aluminum wheels ($570) in place of the standard 16-inch steel wheels.
Starting at $23,980, the SV comes standard with the 17-inch aluminum wheels, plus roof rails, keyless ignition, a power driver seat, automatic headlights, two additional speakers, automatic dual-zone climate control, and a cargo management system. The optional All Weather Package ($920) tacks on remote start, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, heated side mirrors, fog lights, and leather trim for the shift knob and steering wheel. With those features in place, buyers can step up to the $1,500 Premium Package and get navigation, surround-view cameras with moving object detection, and blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
Topping the line at $27,030, the SL gets most of the SV's options as standard, plus leather seats, a hands-free power liftgate, a universal garage door opener, and 19-inch wheels. The SL offers a Premium Package of its own ($2,280) with a sunroof, LED headlights with automatic high beams, automatic emergency braking, and blind spot monitoring. Finally, the $570 Platinum Package adds adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and lane keeping assist.
The SL provides access to some pretty sophisticated technology that isn't usually available in this class, not to mention plenty of interior comforts. It's our pick for best value, despite its higher price.
