The 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport name can be a little confusing. It isn’t a new trim level of the Rogue nor is it the faster version. Here are 5 things you need to know about one of Nissan’s newest products.
What does the Sport reference?
First, let’s clarify the “Sport” in Nissan Rogue Sport isn’t about speed. Instead it is about size – a smaller size.
Essentially, the Rogue Sport is a smaller version of the Nissan Rogue. The Rogue name is such a hit in the U.S. market and Nissan’s product tie-in with Star Wars factored into calling the smaller SUV a Rogue as well.
It isn’t a drastic size difference. The Rogue Sport is basically 7/8 of the size of the Rogue. For most consumers, this size works great with still seating for 5 and usable cargo space for groceries.
Price and Trims for 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport
The 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport gets a variety of the same trim levels found on the larger Rogue just for a little less money. A base model Rogue Sport is about $3k different from the Rogue.
Officially, the Rogue Sport is offered in a S, SV and SL trims. Our SL tester also had an SL Premium Package ($2,280) for safety tech and sliding moonroof plus a Platinum Package ($570) with additional safety technology. Fully loaded up, our test model came in at $31,240.
Safety Tech Galore
The aforementioned packages are well worth it in my opinion with the slew of safety technology they add to the vehicle.
SL Premium Package safety technology includes:
- Forward Emergency Braking
- Blind Spot Warning
- Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- High Beam Assist
Platinum Package includes:
- Intelligent Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning
- Lane Departure Prevention
- Forward Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection
These features take a lot of the guess work on driving through parking lots safely as well as on highways.
Fuel Economy Better?
Smaller equals better fuel economy right? Wrong. Yes and surprisingly wrong compared to the Rogue. The smaller Rogue Sport is EPA rated at 25/32 city/highway whereas the Rogue is rated at 26/33 city/highway.
One MPG on both really isn’t that much though and most consumers will likely never own the car long enough to make up the difference between the lower price point and the fuel economy.
For example, Fueleconomy.gov says the 1 MPG difference represents a yearly difference of $58 and $580 over a 10-year period. With the Rogue Sport being $3k less already, it would take 60 years to make up that difference. In other words, it is never going to happen.
Still Fun to Drive?
At the end of the day, the real question is it fun to drive? Yes, it can be. The Rogue Sport comes with a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine producing 141 HP and 147 lb-ft of torque. This isn’t a “burn the tires” powertrain, but it is enough.
Plus, the Rogue Sport comes with active trace control which makes cornering better and an independent front suspension with a rear multi-link suspension for better ride comfort.
For those not looking for sporty, the Rogue Sport also has an Eco drive mode which mutes the throttle response and improves MPG.
Add in the host of other nice things like the divide and hide rear storage, start/stop push button start (SV and up trims), tire fill alert, around view monitor and lots of extras in other trim levels along with a sporty look, the 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport is a pretty fun little SUV. Just don’t let the name confuse you.
