Nissan Rogue
Compact crossover SUV · 2007–present. 245,724 units sold in the US in 2024
How it began
The original Rogue came from Nissan Design America in California. In Nissan’s December 2024 project history, Alfonso Albaisa—identified there as senior vice president of Global Design—and Hiren Patel recall work beginning in 2003, about two years after Patel joined Nissan. The team debated sedan, SUV and minivan directions, then chose SUV presence outside and car-like comfort inside, with a driver-centered cockpit. Lexicon Branding created the name. Nissan’s current design biography identifies Albaisa as Corporate Executive for Global Design.
The original was designed in the United States and assembled in Kyushu, Japan. Nissan celebrated the official first U.S.-produced Rogue at Smyrna, Tennessee, on October 15, 2013; Smyrna was the brand’s first U.S. plant. The second generation was also built in Busan, Korea. Nissan announced additional Kyushu output for North America in 2015, and its later production records document selected Rogue builds there from April 2016. The announced MY2027 Rogue Hybrid is to be assembled at Nissan Motor Kyushu, Japan.
Previewed at the Detroit auto show in January 2007, it was scheduled to go on sale nationwide on September 18, 2007 as a 2008 model, according to Nissan’s September 17 announcement.
Rogue means someone who flouts convention. Lexicon Branding, the agency that proposed it, wanted a short, athletic, provocative name that would spark intrigue against established names like CR-V and RAV4.
The Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 were already well established when Nissan entered the U.S. small-crossover segment. Nissan wanted unibody construction, sedan-like dynamics and fuel efficiency, with enjoyable handling and space for a young family with one or two small children. Designers observed loading at IKEA and Babies R Us and planned the cargo area so it could also serve as a diaper-changing spot.
Generation by generation
- Gen. 12008–2013 (Rogue Select 2014–2015) · S35
The first: an SUV with a sedan's soul
Photo: Cutlass · CC0 What changed. The original used Nissan’s C platform, also shared with Sentra, with unibody construction and four-wheel independent suspension. Its 2.5-liter four was nominally rated at 170 hp and 175 lb-ft, with Xtronic CVT and FWD or AWD; the original California-emissions rating was 167 hp and 170 lb-ft. At launch it measured 182.9 inches long on a 105.9-inch wheelbase. Nissan announced a $19,250 base MSRP, while the period $19,995 starting price included $745 destination and handling. The old design continued as Rogue Select for MY2014 and MY2015; the MY2014 S FWD price table lists $20,150 before destination.
The innovation. Xtronic CVT was standard across the lineup, with adaptive logic and available steering-wheel paddle shifters. An available fold-flat front passenger seat accommodated long loads; MotorWeek’s original comparison specifically noted that the contemporary CR-V lacked that feature.
If you buy one usedCheck NHTSA recall 15V-032 (January 2015): on 468,815 2008–2013 Rogues and 2014 Rogue Selects, salty water can seep through the driver-side carpet and corrode a wiring-harness connector, with a risk of short circuit and fire; the remedy is inspection and, when necessary, a new connector and waterproof seal, at no charge. Ask for proof it was done. In MotorWeek's long-term test (23,727 miles) real-world mileage was 23.7 mpg and steering-gear noises appeared near the end. Every year uses the same 2.5 engine and CVT, so service history matters more than the model year. - Gen. 22014–2020 · T32
The global one: Rogue and X-Trail become one
Photo: Elise240SX · CC BY-SA 4.0 What changed. Unveiled in Nashville on September 10, 2013, the same day X-Trail debuted in Frankfurt, the T32 integrated the former X-Trail and Rogue into one global successor. It used Renault-Nissan CMF architecture, with projected availability across 190 countries. The 2.5-liter engine retained 170 hp; FWD highway economy rose 18% to 33 mpg. An optional third row allowed seven passengers; the 18 Divide-N-Hide cargo configurations belonged to two-row models. Around View Monitor and forward collision warning were available. Initial MSRP was $22,490 for S FWD. The first Rogue Hybrid was introduced in September 2016 for MY2017, combining a 2.0-liter engine with a 30-kW electric motor.
The innovation. The Renault-Nissan Common Module Family architecture supported the new global Rogue/X-Trail program. Manufacturer records establish overlapping second-generation Rogue production at Smyrna, Busan and Kyushu during the generation, rather than simultaneous first launches at all three plants.
If you buy one usedNHTSA’s January 25, 2022 acknowledgment for 22V-024 identified 688,946 potentially affected 2014–2016 Rogues; later campaign records may amend that population. As in the first generation, salty water enters through the driver's footwell and corrodes the under-dash harness connector; symptoms are failing power windows or seats, an AWD warning light or a drained battery, and there is a fire risk. Ask for proof of the repair. The 2017–2020 models offer emergency braking and the refreshed front end; the Rogue Hybrid exists from the 2017 model year on. - Gen. 32021–present · T33
The tech one: the engine that changes its compression
Photo: Elise240SX · CC BY-SA 4.0 What changed. Designed again at Nissan Design America and revealed in June 2020 for MY2021, it looked bigger while measuring 1.5 inches shorter. It had split LED lights and wide-opening rear doors; Nissan Canada specified 85 degrees, while the U.S. kit said nearly 90. A 12.3-inch digital cluster and 10.8-inch head-up display were available. The MY2021 2.5-liter engine made 181 hp; Safety Shield 360 was standard and ProPILOT Assist available. Initial U.S. S FWD MSRP was $25,650. MY2022 added the 201-hp, 225-lb-ft 1.5-liter three-cylinder VC-Turbo. The MY2024 refresh brought Google built-in and a 12.3-inch touchscreen to SL and Platinum.
The innovation. The VC-Turbo uses an advanced multi-link mechanism to vary compression during operation, balancing performance and fuel economy. The MY2026 S/SV FWD configurations are rated at up to 29 city, 36 highway and 32 combined mpg; these figures do not describe every grade and drivetrain.
If you buy one usedThe original July 11, 2025 manufacturer report for NHTSA recall 25V-437 listed 348,554 model-year 2021–2024 Rogues with the 1.5 VC-Turbo engine for a possible manufacturing defect in the bearings that can end in engine failure. Warning signs are abnormal noise, rough running and warning lights; the original July 2025 repair plan called for the dealer to inspect the oil pan for metal debris and, if confirmed, replace the whole engine at no charge. Ask for proof. The US 2021 launch specification used a 181-hp 2.5-liter engine; the 2022 S 2.5-liter exception is Canadian, while the US 2022 lineup switched to the 1.5-liter. Confirm the actual engine and VIN, including any 2021 record. The current November 2026 bulk summary lists an ECM update; ask Nissan for the current VIN-specific inspection and repair procedure. The 2.5-liter engine is outside this VC-Turbo campaign, which does not guarantee freedom from other defects.
Nissan Sentra1982–present
Nissan Altima1993–present
Nissan Pathfinder1986–present
Nissan Kicks2018–present
Ford F-Series (F-150)1948–present
Toyota RAV41994–present (US from 1996)
Honda CR-V1995–present
Ram 15001981–present
Tesla Model Y2020–present
