I drove Nissan's best-selling Rogue SUV and was impressed by its controversial 3-cylinder engine.

Benjamin ZhangJun 30, 2024, 23:37 IST

A 2024 Nissan Rogue SL in blue.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Nissan Rogue compact SUV is Nissan's best-selling model in the US.
I was impressed by its turbo 3-cylinder engine, comfortable cabin, and efficiency.

In 2022, Nissan boldly decided to replace the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine in its compact Rogue SUV with a turbocharged three-cylinder.

We've seen this engine configuration in small economy cars like the Mini Cooper but never in a 3,500-pound SUV.

The move was particularly daring considering that the compact Rogue SUV is far and away Nissan's most popular model in the US.

Fortunately for Nissan, consumers have responded positively to the new engine, with Rogue sales up 45.6% in 2023 over the prior year. In fact, the Rogue's US sales are equivalent to the combined sales of Nissan's entire sedan lineup.

The third-generation Rogue, which originally launched in 2021, received a refresh in 2024, featuring updated looks and new infotainment tech.

I recently spent a week driving an all-wheel-drive 2024 Nissan Rogue in SL trim.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue SL.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car costs $40,120.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue SL.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Rogue's refreshed styling includes a new front grille.

The Rogue's front facia.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The layout of the headlights and daytime running lights remains unchanged.

The Rogue's headlight and running light.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Also unchanged is the Rogue's rear styling.

The 2024 Nissan Rogue SL.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Rogue SL comes standard with these stylish 19-inch alloy wheels.

The Rogue's 19-inch alloy wheels.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

At 183 inches in length, the Rogue is 1.5 inches longer than the Toyota RAV4 and about two inches shorter than the Honda CR-V.

The 2024 Rogue SL from the side.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Under the hood is a 1.5 liter, turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

The Rogue's 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Rogue is terrific to drive.

The Rogue's front cabin.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Inside, the Rogue offers its occupants a really nice place to be.

The Rogue's front dash.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The biggest change in the Rogues' cabin is the addition of this new optional 12.3-inch touch-sensitive infotainment screen that replaces the old 9-inch unit.

Apple CarPlay on the Rogue's 12.3-inch infotainment screen.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The screen is also home to the Rogue SL's surround view camera.

The Rogue's surround view camera.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Rogue SL comes with three-zone climate control.

The Rogue's climate controls.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Under the climate controls are a pair of USB-C plugs and a wireless charging pad.

The Rogue wireless charging pad and USB-C plugs.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Rogue comes with a toggle-style gear shifter.

The Rogue's shifter.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Rogue's cabin provides a comfortable and relaxing place to be for long drives.

The Nissan Rogue SL's driver's seat.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The quality of the Rogue SL's white leather upholstery was excellent, especially for a mass-market vehicle.

The Rogue's passenger seat.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My test car also came with a power panoramic moonroof that filled the cabin with sunlight.

The Rogue's panoramic sunroof.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Rogue's second row 60/40 split bench seat offers room for 3.

The Rogue's back seats.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Second row occupants get their own climate controls.

The Rogue's rear cabin climate controls and USB plugs.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Open up the power liftgate and you'll find 31.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.

The Rogue's cargo area aft of the rear seats.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

Under the rear cargo floor is a spare tire and the subwoofer for the Rogue's stereo.

The Rogue's spare tire and subwoofer.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

With the rear seats folded down, the Rogue boasts 74.1 cubic feet.

The Rogue's cargo area with rear seats folded.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

The Rogue comes equipped with a host of advanced safety features.

The Rogue's steering wheel.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

My verdict: The Nissan Rogue is a solid compact SUV with a funky little engine.

The 2024 Rogue SL.Benjamin Zhang/Business Insider

I stayed in a $5,400 suite on Silversea's new ultra-luxury cruise ship — here's why it's worth the cost

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

I drove Nissan's best-selling Rogue SUV and was impressed by its controversial 3-cylinder engine.

I recently spent a week driving an all-wheel-drive 2024 Nissan Rogue in SL trim.

My test car costs $40,120.

The Rogue's refreshed styling includes a new front grille.

The layout of the headlights and daytime running lights remains unchanged.

Also unchanged is the Rogue's rear styling.

The Rogue SL comes standard with these stylish 19-inch alloy wheels.

At 183 inches in length, the Rogue is 1.5 inches longer than the Toyota RAV4 and about two inches shorter than the Honda CR-V.

Under the hood is a 1.5 liter, turbocharged three-cylinder engine.

The Rogue is terrific to drive.

Inside, the Rogue offers its occupants a really nice place to be.

The biggest change in the Rogues' cabin is the addition of this new optional 12.3-inch touch-sensitive infotainment screen that replaces the old 9-inch unit.

The screen is also home to the Rogue SL's surround view camera.

The Rogue SL comes with three-zone climate control.

Under the climate controls are a pair of USB-C plugs and a wireless charging pad.

The Rogue comes with a toggle-style gear shifter.

The Rogue's cabin provides a comfortable and relaxing place to be for long drives.

The quality of the Rogue SL's white leather upholstery was excellent, especially for a mass-market vehicle.

My test car also came with a power panoramic moonroof that filled the cabin with sunlight.

The Rogue's second row 60/40 split bench seat offers room for 3.

Second row occupants get their own climate controls.

Open up the power liftgate and you'll find 31.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.

Under the rear cargo floor is a spare tire and the subwoofer for the Rogue's stereo.

With the rear seats folded down, the Rogue boasts 74.1 cubic feet.

The Rogue comes equipped with a host of advanced safety features.

My verdict: The Nissan Rogue is a solid compact SUV with a funky little engine.