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All the latest news about Nissan, every test drives of the new models and the presentation of the Altima, Maxima, Versa, Sentra, Xterra, Armada, Murano, Pathfinder, Quest, Frontier, Titan, 350z et Rogue 2010 models.
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2009 Nissan Rogue SL AWD Review
by Michel Deslauriers / Auto123.com
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We like trucks, but unlike our southern neighbours, we don't feel the need to drive big ones. Let's face it, an SUV is practical, offers a higher view of the road and benefits from all-weather traction. Still, spending big bucks at the gas pump is not in our best interest.
 | | The Nissan Rogue is a fun-to-drive compact SUV that provides a good ride. |
Witness the renaissance of 4-cylinder sport-utilities. Most manufacturers have a compact model with a strong small-displacement engine that supports a more-muscular V6. Yet some feel a 6-cylinder powerplant is irrelevant, including Nissan and its Rogue.
For those who will be trading in their old X-Trail, know that the Rogue is, besides the engine, totally different. While the X-Trail was a European product imported in Canada that had a driver-selectable transfer case as well as a choice of 5-speed manual and 4-speed automatic transmissions, the Rogue is a car-based SUV that isn't nearly as capable off-road as the X-Trail. Oh, and the Rogue is much nicer to look at.
Noisy engine at wide-open throttle
The 2.5-litre engine develops 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque, and delivers respectable acceleration numbers; zero to 100 km/h is yours in 9.1 seconds. But the only transmission choice is a continuously variable automatic, which Nissan calls Xtronic.
During relaxed driving, no problem. But when you're in a hurry or you just want to pick up the pace, a CVT will hold the engine at its power peak during full-throttle acceleration. And near its redline, the 4-cylinder in the Rogue gets rather noisy. And do we really need paddle shifters in a compact SUV? I doubt owners will use them on a regular basis.
However, the 2.5-litre engine delivers reasonable fuel economy, averaging 11.4 L/100 km in our hands and during a cold winter week.
Like a some other compact SUVs--notably, the VW Tiguan and the Mitsubishi Outlander--the Rogue benefits from lively steering and a stout suspension that allows it to hustle around shopping center parking lots. Yet on the road, the ride isn't punishing.
 | | The only transmission choice is a continuously variable automatic, which Nissan calls Xtronic. |
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