Bussiness
I drove Nissan’s best-selling Rogue SUV and was impressed by its controversial 3-cylinder engine.
- 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.
- I was disappointed by its transmission and interior material quality.
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.