Mar 29, 2018, 00:00 AM by Paul Immediato

Nissan’s top-selling vehicle, its compact crossover – Rogue – no longer offers a third row, but has added drivers’ assist technology and a bevy of other enhancements for 2018.

Rogue for 2018 adds available ProPILOT Assist technology, which provides assisted steering, braking and accelerating during single-lane highway driving. ProPILOT Assist helps drivers stay centered in the lane, navigate stop-and-go traffic, maintain a set vehicle speed and maintain a set distance to the vehicle ahead. And, it is all done with a simple two-button operation.

Among the other enhancements to the 2018 Rogue are:
• NissanConnect featuring Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ and one additional USB port (inside front center console box) added to all grades
• Standard Motion-Activated Liftgate added to SV grade (in addition to SL grade)
• SL grade adds standard Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Lane Intervention and Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
• Revised Midnight Edition Package (SV grade) with new black front and rear fascia accents, black rear license plate finisher, black V-motion grille, black emblems
• New S Value Package (replaces Appearance Package, late availability)
• SV Sun and Sound Touring Package revised to include Premium Package content
• Revised SV Premium Package with added Intelligent Cruise Control and memory driver's seat and outside mirrors
• Revised SL Platinum Package with ProPILOT Assist (Intelligent Cruise Control with full speed range and hold, steering assist) and electronic parking brake (replaces foot release parking brake)
• Two new exterior colors: Scarlet Ember and Midnight Pine
• As in previous years, Rogue offers passenger and cargo flexibility with its innovative EZ Flex Seating System™ and Divide-N-Hide® Cargo System. The 2018 Rogue is available in three grade levels: S, SV and SL.

Assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee, utilizes corrosion-resistant and high-strength steel for its unibody chassis and with mid-size crossover dimensions, Rogue measures 184.5 inches long; 72.4 inches wide and 66.6 inches high on a 106.5-inch wheelbase. Minimum ground clearance is 8.2 inches (AWD) and curbweight for the AWD in SV trim is 3614 lbs.

Rogue’s refined interior presents a premium look and feel, and is enhanced with a D-shaped steering wheel and leather-booted sport-mode shifter, available heated steering wheel, memory for driver's seats and mirror, and remote engine start.

While thick rear roof pillars create a large blindspot, and the side curtain airbags limit headroom for second-row passengers, Rogue’s cabin is spacious for a midsize SUV at 41.6 inches of front headroom, 38.5 inches in row two. Interior legroom is roomy in front at 43.0 inches for row one and comfortable in row two at 37.9 inches. Shoulder room is 56.6 in row one and 55.9 and 49.3 in row two.

Rogue’s standard power source remains its 170-horsepower, 175 lbs.-ft. of torque, transverse 2.5-liter inline-4-cylinder DOHC engine, mated to an Xtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission) with standard Sport Mode and Eco switches. With an EPA rating of 25/city, 32/highway and 28/overall, my week of mixed-use testing yielded an average of 26.0mpg. On the road, acceleration is sluggish, but steady. Uphill grades and passing at speed require strategy and perseverance, and the electric power-assisted power assisted rack-and-pinion steering was often heavy. On the track, the 0-60mph time was 9.3 seconds, and a quarter-mile was a 17.3-second journey.

Independent strut front suspension with coil springs and an independent multi-link rear provide a firm on-road feel, as Rogue may not be suited for severe off-road challenges.

Earning top marks in safety, Rogue Safety Shield technologies include radar-based Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Additionally, Rogue is constructed with zone body construction with front and rear crumple zones; energy-absorbing steering column; hood-buckling creases and safety stops; body side reinforcements; shift interlock system; vehicle security system; vehicle dynamic control and traction control system.

The 2018 Nissan Rogue starts at $24,800 for the base S trim in FWD and $26,150 for AWD. The SV with all-wheel-drive started at $27,370. The SV trim adds 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Nissan Intelligent Key® with push button ignition, blind spot warning , rear cross traffic alert, dual zone automatic temperature control and a 6-way power driver's seat to the base S. The Midnight Edition in Black with special cosmetics is priced at $28,465 and the upper-scale Rogue SL I tested starts at $32,250 in AWD and gains Nissan Door to Door Navigation with Premium Traffic, Intelligent Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection and Leather-appointed seats.

My Monarch Orange test 2018 Rogue SL (premium color that added $395) added a power panoramic moonroof and LED headlights with the SL Premium Package for $1820. The SL Platinum Package, for $790, added 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Departure Prevention, Intelligent Cruise control and Forward Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection. The standard Charcoal Leather seats were upgraded to a Premium Tan-appointed seating look with special quilted leather inserts as part of the Platinum Reserve Interior Package, for $250.

Four splash guards added $160; roof rail crossbars were $355 and a chrome rear bumper protector was $155. Adding destination and handling charges of $975, my 2018 Rogue SL-as-tested came in at $36,080.

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Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.