The compact crossover SUV segment has become a hotly contested market. In an industry where smaller is becoming better, these compact vehicles are becoming very popular. Consumers have come to really like the flexibility of SUVs in their various forms, but the price of gasoline has had a downward impact on large vehicle sales.
The compact SUVs are perfect for this market. They are car-based vehicles, meaning they are light, have small engines, very flexible interiors and are economical to both buy and operate. The Rogue is the newest serious competitor in this space.
To be successful in this segment, you need a really good 4-cylinder engine and the Rogue has that. Nissan's 2.5-liter four cylinder has very good usable power and good fuel economy. This modern engine has 170 horsepower, is very clean and is rated at 10.7 L/100 km city and 8.7 highway fuel economy. The engine is very clean and moves the 1,500 kg Rogue down the road very nicely. The native mode for this vehicle is front-wheel drive with all-wheel drive optional. Though there are some inclement weather traction advantages to the all-wheel drive model, there is also a purchase cost and fuel economy penalty to be paid. After driving both, personally I found the front-wheel drive model to be more lively and responsive and actually more fun to drive. All Rogues come with Nissan's well-developed CVT continuously variable transmission.
The styling of the Rogue is also an important element. It has to appeal to a younger, style conscious clientele. A target buyer is a young consumer who cares about styling and likes an engaging driving experience, but because of growing family responsibilities, needs something with a more flexible interior than a sedan. For a modestly priced vehicle, and compared with the competition, the Rogue rates very highly in styling marks.
The interior is another important element in a successful compact crossover vehicle. After all, the "U" in SUV speaks to the utility of the vehicle. The front seat passengers enjoy spacious accommodations. The seats are comfortable and the driver's position is well thought out. Rear seat room is also generous, and the cargo area behind the second row of seats is quite large and easy to access. With the second row of seats folded flat, the total usable cargo area is large. Though not a luxury vehicle, the Rogue can be ordered with leather seating, power driver's seat, a moon roof, a Bose audio system, paddle shifters and satellite radio.
Personally, I really like this vehicle. Not only is it a good vehicle for growing families to move up to, it's also a good place for owners of larger V8-powered, truck-based SUVs to downsize to.
This article is courtesy of www.car-data.com .
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