2016 Nissan Rogue has one engine available across the range. Unfortunately, its vibration and stalling problems, combined with Nissan’s infamous CVTs, mean you may need to look elsewhere in the compact crossover segment.
Key Points
- Nissan offers just one engine for the 2016 Nissan Rogue lineup, in the form of a 2.5L inline-four.
- The 2.5L four-cylinder engine delivers 170 hp and 175 lb.-ft. of torque, guaranteeing it won’t be winning any stoplight drags in its lifetime.
- NHTSA received 25 complaints about the 2.5L, related to various vibrations leading to stalls.
- The 2.5L does well enough at the pump with 26 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. That said, there are better options from the competition.
2.5L Inline-four won’t Win Stoplight Drags
While the 2016 Ford Escape presents a pair of turbocharged four-cylinders on top of its base engine, and the 2016 Jeep Cherokee throws in a V6 to the mix, the 2016 Nissan Rogue falls in line with most of its competitors in the compact crossover market by offering one engine and one engine only. Whether you opt for a base S with front-wheel drive, or the top-tier SL with all-wheel drive, the song you’ll be hearing upfront will be the same: the hum of the 2.5L engine.
The 2.5L won’t burn any barns, nor leave clouds of tire smoke. It also won’t hustle out of the grocery store parking lot or the office garage. Output for the 2.5L comes to 170 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque, which isn’t anything to write home about.
Alas, all of that power must go through Nissan’s infamous CVT, which not only contributes its own hum to the soundtrack, but also slows things up when it comes to acceleration. All-wheel-drive examples get going to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds, while front-wheel-drive models take 9.7 seconds to do the same.
Fuel Economy may be the 2016 Nissan Rogue’s Only Strong Suit
Despite its lack of oomph, the 2016 Nissan Rogue is good with fuel, thanks to its 2.5L/CVT powertrain. All models equipped with standard front-wheel drive cover 26 miles per gallon in-town, 32 mpg on the highway, and 38 mpg combined.
Choose the all-wheel-drive option, and the mpg drops by one mile (25 city/31 highway/27 combined). The Rogue lines up well against its competitors, matching up with the 2016 Honda CR-V while besting the 2016 Toyota RAV4, 2016 Jeep Cherokee, and 2016 Kia Sportage.
Despite the good fuel economy, the 2016 Nissan Rogue will be stopping more often than the rest of the competition in its segment, due to its 14.5-gallon fuel tank, the smallest tank in the group. Even the 2016 Honda CR-V, with which the Rogue matches in fuel economy down to the mile, has a more generous fuel tank compared to the Nissan at 15.3 gallons.
Unfortunately, the Rogue’s tank size hasn’t increased in the years since, even after the all-new third-generation Rogue arrived in 2020 for the 2021 model year.
2016 Nissan Rogue’s 2.5L Inline-four Shakes, Rattles, and Stalls its Way Into the NHTSA
The 2016 Nissan Rogue’s CVT is infamous for its unreliability, with replacements costing $3,000. However, among the 263 complaints filed to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 25 are linked not to the CVT, but to the 2.5L inline-four itself. The common thread among the 25 complaints? The engine shakes and vibrates, then stalls, during operation.
One of the complaints, filed in August 2021, noted the issue involved the engine wiring harness. According to the complaint, the harness shorts out during certain conditions, necessitating total replacement, lest a safety issue or accident occur. The complaint concludes with an estimate of $3,402 to replace the harness, plus $750 to replace the engine sensors. The filer’s Rogue had 55,000 miles on the 2.5L engine at the time of filing.
Among Vehicle History‘s own customer reviews, Casey R. had this to say about their 2016 Nissan Rogue:
“Had to put in a brand new transmission at 80,000 miles. Consistently needs new tires and brakes. Makes odd shaking when descending in speed. Wipers need replacement very often. Great heated seats. Is comfortable to sit in. Smooth rides. Takes a long time to warm up.”
Another 83 complaints to the NHTSA focus on the entire powertrain, many noting the same vibration and stalling issues coming from the 2.5L. Some of the results include sudden deceleration, delayed acceleration, and rpm fluctuation.
Though a Fair Choice Overall, 2016 Nissan Rogue’s 2.5L Inline-four is an Albatross Around its Neck
Despite its good fuel economy, the woeful acceleration and performance from the 2.5L prevent the 2016 Nissan Rogue from being among the better options overall on the table in the compact crossover segment.
Additionally, the stalling and vibrating issues attached to the 2.5L engine (and the already infamous CVT) may be too much to overcome, mechanically or financially. Thus, while the 2016 Nissan Rogue is a good buy on the used lot, with well-maintained examples lasting over 200,000 miles, the albatross under the hood may prompt most consumers to find a better option with another brand instead.
Photos: Nissan
