2017 Nissan Rogue Sport SL Review (and Problems)

Seattle, Washington – The Nissan Qashqai (pronounced ‘Kash-kai’) almost single-handedly transformed Nissan’s fortunes in Europe when the first-generation model was launched 11 years ago – and spawned a rash of competitors as manufacturers embraced the shift in consumer preference from traditional small family hatchbacks like the VW Golf and Ford Focus, to high-riding compact and subcompact crossovers.

Now in its second generation, Nissan’s trendsetting model has arrived in North America, billed as a spacious alternative to compact sedans. It’s badged Qashqai in Canada but Rogue Sport in the US – explicitly making the link with its foot-longer, big-selling sibling. We got behind the wheel of a top-of-the-line SL model in Washington to see how it shapes up Stateside.

Rogue Sport SL’s Exterior Styling & Interior Impressions

2017-nissan-rogue-sport-review-rear-rolling — 2017 Rogue Sport SL. Photo: Nissan

SL trim gains bigger wheels

The subcompact Rogue Sport is a small vehicle by North American standards – not Juke-small, but you won’t struggle to get in and out in a tight parking lot. The look is contemporary Nissan, with scalloped sides and a window line that kinks upwards at the rear, but that doesn’t compromise good visibility of the road around you.

Sharp-looking, 19-inch black and silver alloy wheels with low-profile tires fill the arches on the SL grade. They also generate a lot of road noise on anything other than the smoothest of pavement – fortunately, the only way in which this Road Sport wasn’t good on the highway.

Interior and equipment include more leather and NissanConnect

2017-nissan-rogue-sport-review-leather-wrapped-steering-wheel — 2017 Rogue Sport SL. Photo: Nissan

The Rogue Sport’s cabin manages to be compact without feeling tight, with the exception of the limited space to rest a big left foot. During our test, the car swallowed a family of four and their luggage for a week’s touring, which suggests it’ll be big enough for Nissan’s US target audience of young, urban singles and couples.

There were no complaints about the legroom on long runs and the luggage space is pretty good for a vehicle of this size, with useful underfloor storage and the option to fold the rear seat flat if you need to accommodate bulky loads. Good (power) seat and steering wheel adjustment (for reach and rake) make it easy to get comfortable. There are no nasty surprises in the basic driving controls, buttons, and switches.

Nissan Rogue Sport Configurations and Price

When first released in 2016, for a base price of US$27,420 the 2017 SL-grade Rogue Sport’s standard equipment includes leather seats, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a navigation system on the 7-inch touchscreen. We found the nav’s interface a little cumbersome to use.

This is an agile, European-feeling car with responsive controls and tight body control, meaning that both heave (vertical motions) and roll (side to side) are well suppressed.

Our test car also featured the $2,280 SL Premium Package, which adds a powered glass moonroof, LED headlamps, and some driver-assistance systems, plus the $570 Platinum Package, which brings more drive-assistance tech in the form of intelligent cruise control, lane departure warning and prevention and forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection. None of the systems we tried was intrusive in its operation.

Automated emergency braking will be standard on all Rogue Sports for model year 2018. The three-model range currently starts with the S model at US$21,420.

2017-rogue-sport-review-siri-eyes-free-technology-large — 2017 Rogue Sport SL. Photo: Nissan

2017 Rogue Sport Driving impressions

Nissan’s Technical Center Europe in the UK played a key role in the development of the Qashqai and it shines through in the way the Rogue Sport drives, even allowing for a new suspension tune for the North American market.

This is an agile, European-feeling car with responsive controls and tight body control, meaning that both heave (vertical motions) and roll (side to side) are well suppressed. Full disclosure: I’m a Brit and I like cars that don’t wallow around, but I’m pretty sure most drivers and passengers will find the suspension setup appealing.

At speed over broken asphalt, not even those big rims can spoil decent ride comfort from the all-independent suspension. There’s no harshness or other irritating vibrations from the road surface.

2017-rogue-sport-review-frontview — 2017 Rogue Sport SL. Photo: Nissan

The compact Rogue Sport is easy to maneuver around town but really excelled on the European-style roads of Washington’s Olympic National Park, which are at times narrow, winding, and strongly cambered. All that was missing for a really engaging driving experience was a manual gearbox to really work the 2-liter, 141-horsepower motor that’s standard across the range; instead, all grades come with a CVT transmission that does at least feature a manual shift mode.

The subcompact Rogue Sport is a small vehicle by North American standards – not Juke-small, but you won’t struggle to get in and out in a tight parking lot.

This test car was fitted with optional AWD, which should provide additional peace of mind in poor weather, but this isn’t an off-roader and we didn’t try it on anything more demanding than a gravel driveway. We matched the EPA’s combined fuel consumption figure of 27mpg; the FWD-only version records slightly better economy.

Takeaway: Should you buy a used 2017 Rogue Sport and what are the known problems?

Pros

Great to drive, in town and out
Lots of passenger and luggage capacity for its size

Cons

Wheel/tire choice makes a difference to road noise
Not much space to rest a big left foot

North American car buyers love their crossovers so the Rogue Sport is already playing to a friendly crowd. Nevertheless, it’s good to report that the car’s many qualities, which have attracted critical plaudits and legions of customers on the other side of the pond, have translated well to their new environment. Nissan will be hoping that the Rogue Sport/Qashqai’s sales success carries over to its new market, too.

Reported Rogue Sport Problems to know about

The 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport SL is generally a reliable compact SUV, but like any vehicle, it may experience some common issues or problems. Here are a few known problems or concerns that some owners have reported for the 2017 Rogue Sport SL:

Transmission Issues: Some owners have reported issues with the continuously variable transmission (CVT), including issues with rough shifting or CVT failure. Nissan has made improvements to its CVTs over the years, but it’s essential to follow recommended maintenance and address any issues promptly.

Noisy CVT: Some owners have complained about excessive noise from the CVT, especially during acceleration. While this may not necessarily indicate a problem, it can be a concern for some drivers.

Infotainment System Problems: A few owners have reported issues with the infotainment system, such as freezing screens, unresponsive controls, or Bluetooth connectivity problems. Some of these issues may be resolved with software updates.

Brake Problems: There have been reports of premature brake wear and issues with the brake pedal feeling soft. Regular brake inspections and maintenance can help prevent these issues.

Electrical Problems: Some owners have experienced electrical problems, including issues with the power windows, door locks, or dashboard warning lights. These issues may require diagnosis and repairs.

Noisy Suspension: A few owners have reported noisy suspension components, which can affect ride comfort. This may be related to worn bushings or shock absorbers.

Paint Quality: Some owners have complained about the paint quality, with reports of paint chipping or peeling in certain areas.

2017 Rogue Sport Images:

The new Nissan Qashqai shares many of the design, utility and technology attributes that have made Rogue NissanÕs best-selling vehicle in Canada, but is slightly smaller, sportier and more affordable for younger, urban SUV buyers. These buyers are looking for more space than a compact sedan, while still seeking the manoueverability and fun-to-drive feel that Qashqai delivers.
The new Nissan Qashqai shares many of the design, utility and technology attributes that have made Rogue NissanÕs best-selling vehicle in Canada, but is slightly smaller, sportier and more affordable for younger, urban SUV buyers. These buyers are looking for more space than a compact sedan, while still seeking the manoueverability and fun-to-drive feel that Qashqai delivers.
The new Nissan Qashqai shares many of the design, utility and technology attributes that have made Rogue NissanÕs best-selling vehicle in Canada, but is slightly smaller, sportier and more affordable for younger, urban SUV buyers. These buyers are looking for more space than a compact sedan, while still seeking the manoueverability and fun-to-drive feel that Qashqai delivers.
The new Nissan Qashqai shares many of the design, utility and technology attributes that have made Rogue NissanÕs best-selling vehicle in Canada, but is slightly smaller, sportier and more affordable for younger, urban SUV buyers. These buyers are looking for more space than a compact sedan, while still seeking the manoueverability and fun-to-drive feel that Qashqai delivers.
The new Nissan Qashqai shares many of the design, utility and technology attributes that have made Rogue NissanÕs best-selling vehicle in Canada, but is slightly smaller, sportier and more affordable for younger, urban SUV buyers. These buyers are looking for more space than a compact sedan, while still seeking the manoueverability and fun-to-drive feel that Qashqai delivers.
The new Nissan Qashqai shares many of the design, utility and technology attributes that have made Rogue NissanÕs best-selling vehicle in Canada, but is slightly smaller, sportier and more affordable for younger, urban SUV buyers. These buyers are looking for more space than a compact sedan, while still seeking the manoueverability and fun-to-drive feel that Qashqai delivers.
The new Nissan Qashqai shares many of the design, utility and technology attributes that have made Rogue NissanÕs best-selling vehicle in Canada, but is slightly smaller, sportier and more affordable for younger, urban SUV buyers. These buyers are looking for more space than a compact sedan, while still seeking the manoueverability and fun-to-drive feel that Qashqai delivers.
The new Nissan Qashqai shares many of the design, utility and technology attributes that have made Rogue NissanÕs best-selling vehicle in Canada, but is slightly smaller, sportier and more affordable for younger, urban SUV buyers. These buyers are looking for more space than a compact sedan, while still seeking the manoueverability and fun-to-drive feel that Qashqai delivers.
The new Nissan Qashqai shares many of the design, utility and technology attributes that have made Rogue NissanÕs best-selling vehicle in Canada, but is slightly smaller, sportier and more affordable for younger, urban SUV buyers. These buyers are looking for more space than a compact sedan, while still seeking the manoueverability and fun-to-drive feel that Qashqai delivers.
The new Nissan Qashqai shares many of the design, utility and technology attributes that have made Rogue NissanÕs best-selling vehicle in Canada, but is slightly smaller, sportier and more affordable for younger, urban SUV buyers. These buyers are looking for more space than a compact sedan, while still seeking the manoueverability and fun-to-drive feel that Qashqai delivers.
The new Nissan Qashqai shares many of the design, utility and technology attributes that have made Rogue NissanÕs best-selling vehicle in Canada, but is slightly smaller, sportier and more affordable for younger, urban SUV buyers. These buyers are looking for more space than a compact sedan, while still seeking the manoueverability and fun-to-drive feel that Qashqai delivers.
The new Nissan Qashqai shares many of the design, utility and technology attributes that have made Rogue NissanÕs best-selling vehicle in Canada, but is slightly smaller, sportier and more affordable for younger, urban SUV buyers. These buyers are looking for more space than a compact sedan, while still seeking the manoueverability and fun-to-drive feel that Qashqai delivers.
The new Nissan Qashqai shares many of the design, utility and technology attributes that have made Rogue NissanÕs best-selling vehicle in Canada, but is slightly smaller, sportier and more affordable for younger, urban SUV buyers. These buyers are looking for more space than a compact sedan, while still seeking the manoueverability and fun-to-drive feel that Qashqai delivers.

2017 Nissan Qashqai interior from passenger seat

2017 Nissan Qashqai interior rear seats with one seat down

2017 Nissan Qashqai interior rear seats with all seats up

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