Nissan Rogue SV Hybrid AWD (2017)

Test Drive Notes Library

Pros
Rogue-like. The Rogue Hybrid is based on the highly likable Nissan Rogue, which sells well due to its size and usefulness. Just like its non-hybrid counterpart, it’s roomy, easy to get in and out of, easy to drive and park, well equipped for the price, and not terribly expensive. All those things hold true in the Rogue Hybrid.
Airy. The Rogue hybrid feels notably spacious for its class. It has a large-feeling airy interior, and a comfortable ride.
Good safety options. Blind spot and rear cross traffic are standard. Forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking are available with the highest trim SL Premium HEV Package.
Let there be light. The Rogue hybrid has a humongous sunroof that extends to cover the rear seat passengers. This one will medal in the Sunroof Olympics.
Surround view. Nissan’s surround view camera is very helpful with parking and maneuvering backwards in the daytime.

Cons
Unrefined powertrain. The engine frequency revs to 1,500 rpm when you’re not moving, and the CVT transmission drones when you accelerate. Somehow, the engine always sounds like it’s straining to accelerate except under the most modest conditions. We also found that for some odd reason, the engine revs up whenever you put the car in Reverse, which we found disconcerting, if harmless.
Grabby brakes. The brakes work fine until you’re almost stopped. And then the pedal sinks and you have to step harder for the last few miles and hour, making smooth stops difficult (sorry about those forehead welts, hon!).
Heavy feel. You feel the extra weight of the batteries.
Numb. There’s absolutely no steering feel. The steering wheel definitely works. It’s connected to the front wheels. But you won’t feel any connection.
Unimpressive mileage, for a hybrid, in our test. The EPA says the Rogue Hybrid gets 33 mpg overall. We never got higher than 27.5, and frequently saw short trips (where a hybrid should excel) in the low 20s. We actually wondered if there was something wrong with our Rogue Hybrid test car. It seemed to spend very little time under electric power, quickly switching to the gasoline engine, and mileage reflected that. For comparison, the standard Rogue clocks in with the EPA at 24 mpg overall.
Cheap camera. The surround view camera, while wonderfully useful in day light, looks like a night vision scene from a 1960’s military movie at night. A few thousand more mega pixels, please!
Cargus interruptus. The hybrid battery pack takes up some of the rear cargo area by raising the floor height a few inches. That extra height doesn’t really matter — until it does.