Safety and fuel efficiency are top priorities in the 2019 Nissan Rogue. Subpar performance keeps it from being any fun to drive, shining a light on some competitors instead.
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2019 Nissan Rogue: Quick Overview
- The 2019 Rogue is in direct competition with the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, and Subaru Forester, and it isn’t quite beating its competition in many areas. Despite this, Nissan sold over 350,000 Rogues in 2019, making it the seventh-best-selling vehicle in the U.S. that year.
- A 2019 Rogue in any of its three trim levels gets decent fuel economy, averaging 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. On the SV and SL trim levels, a hybrid engine is available as an option that will significantly improve miles per gallon in stop-and-go traffic. The Hybrid averages 33 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. In general, this puts the Rogue on par with its competition.
- Most of the professional reviewers said the overall performance of the Rogue left something to be desired. Although it may be a comfortable place to sit, you may find yourself not wanting to sit there long.
- Do we recommend buying a 2019 Nissan Rogue? The honest answer is, maybe. If you’re looking for a comfortable, safe, and economical crossover that will get you from A to B, definitely check out the 2019 Rogue. However, if you enjoy spirited driving, the Rogue may not be right for you.
2019 Nissan Rogue Offers Three Trim Levels
The 2019 Nissan Rogue is available in three trim levels: the S, SV, and SL. All three trims are offered with FWD as standard, and AWD as an option. The SV and SL models are also available with a 2.0L four-cylinder hybrid as an option.
Standard features include keyless entry, AC, satellite radio, power windows, and traction control. A 2.5L four-cylinder engine, continuously variable transmission (CVT), and a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment center also come standard on all models.
Here’s a look at what each trim has to offer:
Rogue S Comes Standard with Seven-Inch Touchscreen, Apple CarPlay
The entry-level 2019 Nissan Rogue is the S, and offers standard equipment that includes a cloth interior and a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As of 2019, all Nissan Rogues also come with a suite of driver-assist equipment, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. A base S has a fair purchase price of about $23,159, per KBB. Expect to spend about $550 extra for an AWD model.
Rogue SV ups Amenities, Adds Optional 2.0L Hybrid
The next trim level, the 2019 Nissan Rogue SV, offers all the standard features you get with the S, plus a few modern amenities. The ignition is upgraded to a push-button start, and there’s dual-zone climate control and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The 2019 Rogue SV has an additional engine option: a 2.0L hybrid that improves fuel economy and performance figures. Other notable features on the SV include heated side mirrors and rear parking sensors.
The SV is the best trim in the 2019 Rogue lineup. All the added features make the Rogue SV feel like a 21st-century vehicle. Rogue SV pricing starts around $21,800, but can reach as high as $25,568 for a decked-out AWD model.
Rogue SL Features Leather Seating & Semi-autonomous Driving Tech
The most luxurious Nissan Rogue you could buy in 2019 was the Rogue SL; on top of the standard features you get with the SV, the Rogue SL offers mostly interior improvements. These cabin amenities include leather upholstery, a leather gear knob, a premium Bose sound system, and the leather-wrapped steering wheel is now heated.
On the exterior, the Rogue SL has larger 19-inch wheels, but surprisingly fewer color options than the SV. The real party piece of the SL is that it is the only 2019 Rogue with Nissan’s ProPilot Assist 2 system. This system allows for very basic autonomous driving features, like being able to come to a full stop, depending on the traffic, and back up to speed when things start moving again. The 2019 Rogue SL is also available with the 2.0L hybrid engine if you’re trying to pinch every penny between fuel stops.
With that being said, the luxuries provided with the Rogue SL are desirable, such as leather seats and the autopilot. You will be thankful for those leather seats if you have to clean up after children.
At the top of the list in terms of cost, a FWD will run about $25,800, while an AWD with the Premium Package can reach as high as $28,700.
How Well Does a Rogue Hold its Value? Loses Half its Value After 5 Years
Average prices for the 2019 Nissan Rogue sit at around $24,000. Chances are, right now you will be spending between $21,000 and $27,000 to purchase a used Nissan Rogue. Even buying it just two years old will save you about $9,186 on the sticker price. You may even be able to find one for less than $14,000 within five years. By then, its value will have depreciated by 48% of the original MSRP.
2019 Nissan Rogue’s Two Engine Options: 2.5L Four Cylinder & 2.0L Hybrid
There are only two engine options for the 2019 Nissan Rogue: a 2.5L four cylinder, producing 170 hp and 175 lb.-ft. of torque, and a 2.0L four cylinder coupled to an electric motor and battery pack, producing 176 hp and 262 lb.-ft. of torque.
The hybrid engine is only available on the SV and SL models. As far as transmissions go, all 2019 Nissan Rogues are equipped with CVT, which improves smoothness and fuel economy but is lacking in acceleration.
All three trim levels come equipped with FWD as standard. However, AWD is available as an option.
How Fuel Efficient is the 2019 Nissan Rogue? Comparable to Others in its Class
To ensure that we give you accurate fuel economy ratings for the 2019 Nissan Rogue, we source all our figures directly from the EPA.
In terms of fuel economy, the 2019 Nissan Rogue fares pretty well. Rogues equipped with the standard 2.5L engine and FWD get an EPA-estimated 26 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, comparable to its competition.
However, choosing the 2.0L hybrid with FWD will, of course, net you more miles per gallon. The 2019 Rogue hybrid gets an EPA-estimated 33 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. If you choose an AWD, it will cost you roughly one to two mpg due to the added weight.
2019 Nissan Rogue’s Driving Performance is a Mixed Bag
The 2019 Nissan Rogue’s driving performance seems to be a mixed bag, with most reputable sources crediting the drive as just OK. Here at Vehicle History, the 2019 Nissan Rogue scores 4.5 stars out of five, with the driving performance called out by reviewers. One owner, Dan W., had this to say about his SL Hybrid: “Nice looking car, but the acceleration is at the point of being dangerous and takes a very long time to accelerate onto the highway.”
Kelley Blue Book took a 2019 Rogue on a test-drive to see how it performed. “On the fun/comfort continuum, the Rogue lands kind of in the middle. It’s comfortable, reasonably quiet, and not particularly fun.” KBB did note that it was not a fan of the, “steering system’s mushy imprecision … but everybody else will appreciate the light steering efforts and low-speed agility that are afforded by its variable electric assist.”
2019 Rogue’s Comfy and Generous Cargo Space & Dimensions
Odds are, if you’re looking to purchase a crossover, you want a comfortably-sized vehicle, and the 2019 Rogue has the cargo space to help with that. It offers up a generous 39.3 cu. ft. of cargo space. Fold the rear seats down, and that number goes up to 70 cu. ft. of interior room.
Its exterior dimensions are 172.4 inches (14.4 feet) long and 72.3 inches (six feet) wide. The 2019 Rogue also sits between 62.5 and 63.3 inches (about 5.2 feet) high, with a wheelbase of 104.2 inches (8.7 feet).
The Hybrid model’s dimensions change slightly, offering 27.3 cu. ft. of space with the seats up, snd 61.3 cu. ft. with the rear seats down.
How Safe is a 2019 Nissan Rogue? 4 Out of 5 Stars from NHTSA
Safety is a top priority for Nissan, and one of the major changes made to the Rogue going into 2019 was that virtually all of its safety technology came standard, including emergency automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. These upgrades resulted in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) giving the 2019 Nissan Rogue an overall rating of four out of five stars.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the 2019 Nissan Rogue as a Top Safety Pick in 2019. The Rogue received a top-level “Good” rating in all testing categories, except for the headlights, which are not curve-adaptive. All in all, safety is one of the key selling points for the 2019 Rogue.
2019 Nissan Rogue’s Technology Features Standard on SL and Up
Every 2019 Rogue comes equipped with a standard seven-inch touchscreen that comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Starting with the SL, the 360-degree camera system also comes standard. You can choose it as an option on the lower trim levels. The SL also comes standard with Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, which includes adaptive cruise control.
When it comes to safety tech, all Rogues come standard with ABS, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision and lane-departure warnings, plus an alert that reminds you to check the back seat before exiting.
2019 Nissan Rogue Offers Nine Exterior & Two Interior Color Options
There are nine exterior color options to choose from with the 2019 Nissan Rogue: Brilliant Silver, Gun, Magnetic Black, Midnight Pine, Caspian Blue, Glacier White, Monarch Orange, Pearl White, and Scarlet Ember.
Depending on the trim level you choose, there are only two interior color options: Charcoal (available on all trim levels) and Light Gray (SV, SV Sport, SL, SL Sport).
How Reliable is the 2019 Nissan Rogue? Just Average
Nissan is known for its reliability. However, U.S. News & World Report rated the 2019 Nissan Rogue just above average for reliability. Additionally, Repair Pal gave the Rogue four out of five stars, ranking it 13 out of 26 compact SUVs. Given some of the consumer reviews, this seems relatively fair.
The biggest reliability issue that consumers seem to have concerns the emergency braking system, which would reportedly engage unnecessarily without notice.
Annual maintenance costs of a 2019 Nissan Rogue reportedly run less than $1,100. Because this model is still relatively new, many of these repairs may be covered under warranty. If buying used, it would be a good idea to consider a 2019 Rogue that is certified pre-owned, which includes a 167-point inspection and 100,000-mile/seven-year powertrain warranty.
2019 Nissan Rogue: Known Problems & Recalls Include Serious Emergency Brake Complaints
Despite only being two years old, there are a few known problems with the 2019 Nissan Rogue. The single biggest issue that has been reported by consumers is problems with the brakes, specifically the emergency braking system.
There is currently only one recall on this make and model, regarding the rear backup camera. Camera settings could make it so that the rearview image no longer was visible. The system then retained those image settings for the next time the vehicle was started and put in reverse. This recall was made in September 2019 and impacted more than 1.2 million Nissan cars.
2019 Nissan Rogue vs. its Competition
The Rogue is not short on competition. Honda, Mazda, Subaru, and Toyota have vehicles that run neck-and-neck with Nissan’s Rogue. Many of these SUVs are extremely popular, but how do they compare to the Rogue?
Honda CR-V Offers Two Powerful Engines
The Honda CR-V is among the front-runners in its class, and its 2.4L four-cylinder engine puts out an impressive 184 hp and 180 lb.-ft. of torque. The Rogue may have a larger engine, but it doesn’t produce as much power as the CR-V.
Both Nissan and Honda offer similar gas mileage. The Rogue gets 25 mpg city and 35 highway, while the CR-V gets 25 mpg city and 34 highway. However, the Rogue has a 0-60 time of 10 seconds, while the Honda CR-V will reach 60 mph in just 7.5 seconds.
However, power comes at a price. Some CR-V models can cost upwards of $35,000. So, depending on your budget, the CR-V may be a bit too much.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
Mazda CX-5 is Less Costly, Delivers Similar Performance
The Mazda CX-5 offers a better powertrain altogether, but at a cost to fuel economy. Next to the Rogue’s 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, the CX-5 only gets 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. When it comes to the tech, each vehicle is equipped with a seven-inch infotainment center.
The Rogue’s infotainment center has been said to be a bit frustrating to use, but it is comparable with the CX-5’s Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, Nissan offers a bit more in terms of safety tech. The 2019 model includes automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and pedestrian detection.
Mazda’s CX-5 can climb up over $36,000 for its Signature mode, several thousand more than a top-tier Rogue.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
Subaru Forester is Less Costly than Rogue, but Suffers Same Performance Woes
The biggest thing that sets the Forester apart from the Rogue is that AWD is standard across all models, whereas the Rogue’s AWD is an option. Neither of the crossovers provides a lot of get-up-and-go. The Rogue will reach 60 mph in 10 seconds, and the Forester does just slightly better at 9.4 seconds. This slight advantage is afforded to the Forester by its 182 hp engine.
Another thing that sets the Forester apart is its towing capability. The Rogue can tow up to 1,100 pounds, but it is not truly equipped to tow much of anything. Subaru, however, offers Trailer Stability Assist on the Forester, which tows up to 1,500 pounds. You can also go off-road more readily in the Forester, because of its AWD and 8.7-inch ground clearance.
Pricing for the two crossovers is comparable. Expect to spend about $31,500 for a top-of-the-line Forester, a slightly more costly alternative to the top-of-the-line Rogue.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
Toyota RAV4 Struggles with Weak Performance
The Toyota RAV4 is comparable to the Rogue in price and fuel economy. The RAV4 comes in priced around $25,650, and gets 25 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. Similar to the Rogue, the RAV4 doesn’t come with a long list of engine options. Actually, it has one less than the Nissan. You can get the RAV4 in a 2.5L inline-four engine, which provides 203 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque, proving that the RAV4 does have a bit more power behind its engine.
Technology-wise, the RAV4 has a bit more to offer simply because all of its tech and safety features come standard. The RAV4 has better standard safety tech, too, while the Rogue has better connectivity tech. With that in mind, the RAV4 is only slightly more expensive than the baseline Rogue. However, given the amount of equipment that comes fitted as standard, it is arguably the better choice.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
So, is a 2019 Nissan Rogue a Good Buy?
It feels fair to say that the 2019 Nissan Rogue has definitely taken some lumps from critics and consumers, but the numbers just don’t lie. In 2019, the Nissan Rogue was the seventh-best-selling car in the United States, with over 350,000 models purchased. Despite what the critics thought in 2019, Nissan sold 40 Rogues every hour for the entire year. That means that over a quarter of a million people in the U.S. thought what the Rogue had to offer was a good buy. Only a single recall and the emergency brake complaint make it worth a look if you can get past its lackluster performance.
With all things considered, if you’re looking for a comfortable, safe, and economical crossover that will get you from A to B, check out the 2019 Nissan Rogue.
Photos: Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Subaru
