The 2011 Nissan Rogue is a compact crossover SUV noted for its agile handling, smooth drive, comfortable seating, high quality interior and long list of available features. Although it has much going for it, a notable downside is its below average maximum cargo space.
With both stylish looks and capable handling, the Rogue combines a soft ride that easily absorbs road bumps and imperfections with impressive confidence when cornering, while also featuring a surprisingly upscale cabin for its price range with plenty of higher quality and soft-touch materials.
And new for the 2011 model year is a styling refresh which added standard front and rear spoilers, a new grille and additional exterior chrome trim. Not to be left out, the interior was given updated instruments as well as a new color audio display on the upper trims. Also newly available are a number of high-end features such as navigation, automatic climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, iPod integration and automatic headlights.
It's also a good idea to compare and contrast other top segment choices before making a final decision. Rivals well worthy of consideration include the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4, both with perhaps more versatility and practicality due to additional cargo space, but lagging the Rogue when it comes to appealing road manners and a nicer cabin.
Trims, Standard Features And Options:
The 2011 Nissan Rogue is classified as a five-passenger compact crossover SUV and is offered in three trims: S, S Krom Edition and SV.
Standard features on the base Rogue S include power windows, power doorlocks, power mirrors, cruise control, air conditioning, keyless entry, a trip computer, a tilt steering wheel, rear privacy glass, 16-inch steel wheels, rear privacy glass and a 4-speaker stereo system with a CD player, iPod connectivity and an auxiliary jack.
The Rogue SV comes standard with all the S model's features above plus a 6-way power driver seat with power lumbar adjustment, keyless entry/ignition, upgraded upholstery, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, Bluetooth connectivity, a rearview monitor, a fold-down front passenger seat, roof rails, 17-inch alloy wheels and a 6-speaker stereo system with satellite radio and a color display.
The S Krom Edition also comes with the S model's standard equipment, but adds steering wheel audio controls, a different front fascia and grill, 18-inch alloy wheels and a center-mounted sport exhaust.
There's also several optional packages available for the SV model. The Premium package includes navigation with real-time traffic, a sunroof, automatic headlights and automatic climate control, while the SL package includes everything from the Premium package plus leather upholstery, heated front seats, a premium Bose stereo system with a subwoofer, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated exterior mirrors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, foglights and xenon headlights.
Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:
The 2011 Nissan Rogue is available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive choices. Under the hood is a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that outputs 170 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. All Rogue models are equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). In performance tests, a front-wheel drive Rogue was timed from a standstill to 60 mph in just 8.6 seconds, quite quick in the four-cylinder compact crossover segment.
Even with better than average acceleration, the Rogue's EPA-estimated gas mileage is still about the same as most of the competition, coming in at 22 mpg city and 28 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive, while the AWD is rated just slightly lower at 22 city and 26 highway.
Safety:
Standard safety features on all 2011 Rogues include stability control, antilock disc brakes (ABS) with brake assist, front-seat side airbags, active front head restraints and full-length side curtain airbags.
In government crash tests, the Rogue earned the highest possible rating of five stars for side-impact occupant protection and four stars for frontal-impact occupant protection.
Interior:
The 2011 Nissan Rogue's cabin is one of the best in its price range among all compact crossovers. It's attractive, well-designed, user-friendly and solidly constructed with high quality materials. The seating is comfortable and supportive both front and rear. And while there aren't a lot of storage compartments, the Rogue largely compensates for this with a huge glove compartment, a sizeable center console bin and a convenient below-floor organizer.
The Rogue is not designed, however, to keep up with competitor's maximum available storage space. With the rear seatbacks up, cargo capacity comes in at an about average 28.9 cubic feet. And while there's still a very useable 57.9 cubic feet with them folded down, this is significantly less than is available elsewhere. In addition, the Rogue's rear seats do not recline or slide forward and back.
Drive:
The 2011 Rogue's road manners is one of its strongest selling points. While small crossovers are supposed to drive like cars, this crossover ups the ante with a level of handling that's better than most sedans. The well-tuned suspension does an excellent job absorbing road bumps and imperfections as well as providing a smooth and stable highway drive. At the same time, it also provides solid body control, and when combined with its precise steering and ample four-cylinder power, the Rogue stands out among its peers on the road.
How To Get The Lowest Price:
Best Negotiating Tactic: Well, there's definitely a 'best way' when it comes to new car buying. If you want to get the best bottomline, out-the-door price you need to know exactly who to talk to at the dealership, how to make the contact and how to make this person eager to quickly drop prices as low as possible to get your sale.
Those of you in the market for a used car may want to check out this article about how to buy a used car at the lowest price. It details a super effective buying method, one that often beats down prices to wholesale levels.
And somewhat related to this, here's another excellent method that identifies Price-Distressed Cars Right On Dealer Lots. These are vehicles they are so desperate to unload they would welcome your wholesale offer.
In addition, you can also try Wholesale Auctions in your own geographic area. While there can be a lot of junk vehicles at these auctions, there are often absolute gems sprinkled in as well. This article reviews what to expect at open-to-the-public car auctions and how to locate them in your own area.
Price:
2011 Nissan Rogue SUV:
S, FWD: list price: $20,810, invoice price: $19,839
S, AWD: list price: $22,060, invoice price: $21,028
SV, FWD: list price: $23,220, invoice price: $21,646
SV, AWD: list price: $24,470, invoice price: $22,808
S Krom, FWD: list price: $24,410, invoice price: $23,187
S Krom, AWD: list price: $25,660, invoice price: $24,376
