5 Reasons why the Nissan Rogue is the brand’s best-selling vehicle

When we think about practical, five seat SUVs that make life easier without breaking the bank, the Nissan Rogue stands out as a smart option. We spent a week daily driving a top-trim Platinum Rogue — commuting, hauling kids, running errands and even tackling a Costco run — and came away genuinely impressed by how much this crossover offers for the money.

For 2024, Nissan gave the Rogue a thorough update inside and out. Right away, the refreshed styling gives it a sleeker, more aggressive look. The front fascia, modern lighting and functional air vents help it stand out in traffic, and the Champagne Silver paint on our test model added a premium touch. 

Here are six reasons why the Nissan Rogue is the brand’s best-selling vehicle. 

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Photo courtesy Nissan

A cabin that feels more luxurious than ever

Inside, the Rogue — especially in its Platinum trim — continues to impress with its upscale semi-aniline quilted leather seats in camel and black contrast stitching. They’re comfortable and supportive for daily drives and longer trips alike. The panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with natural light, making the already spacious interior feel even roomier.

For 2025, Nissan upgraded the technology suite on the Platinum with a 12.3-inch touchscreen featuring Google built-in. That means seamless access to Google Assistant, Google Maps and a wide variety of apps from Google Play, all integrated right into the dashboard. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with a wireless charging pad.

The infotainment system is easy to use and pairs well with the Bose premium audio system, which delivers crisp, balanced sound throughout the cabin. 

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Photo courtesy Nissan

Cutting-edge safety and driver assistance tech

One of the standout features on our Rogue Platinum tester was Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist 2.1 driver assistance system, which includes hands-free driving capability on certain highways. We found it impressively smooth and confident, making highway commutes less stressful, and honestly pretty relaxing.

The 2025 Rogue also adds an enhanced Intelligent Around View Monitor with 3D rotation, offering multiple vantage points for parking and tight maneuvers. The available Technology Package expands on this with two new camera angles: front wide view, ideal for seeing around pillars or cars; and invisible hood view, a first for Nissan in the U.S., which projects the roadway under the engine bay to help with curbs and car washes.

Standard safety tech remains comprehensive thanks to Nissan Safety Shield 360: blind spot warning, lane departure warning, pedestrian detection (with automatic braking), rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist and rear automatic braking. 

Convenience features such as rear door alert and easy-fill tire alert also add peace of mind during everyday use.

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Photo courtesy Nissan

Family-friendly space and thoughtful features

The rear seat in the Rogue is a comfortable place for kids and adults; we had enough legroom behind our driving position. Parents also will appreciate the rear air vents, heated seats, USB ports and integrated sunshades on the windows. We did wish the backrest had a bit more support, but overall, it’s a solid second row.

Cargo space is generally good, though we have mixed feelings about Nissan’s Divide-N-Hide cargo floor system. While it can be useful for storing or hiding smaller items, it also cuts into the overall usable space and can be a little finicky to reassemble. We would have preferred a flat, open cargo floor, especially since this generation already has slightly less cargo space than the previous Rogue.

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Fuel-efficient and easy to drive — mostly

Under the hood, Nissan continues its small but powerful 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine. It makes just over 200 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque, which is plenty for everyday use. It’s paired with a continuously variable transmission, or Xtronic CVT as Nissan refers to it, which helps the Rogue return excellent fuel economy — up to 34 mpg highway.

Photo courtesy Nissan

In our week of driving, we averaged about 27 mpg with mostly city driving, and we even saw over 30 mpg on a few freeway runs. For an SUV that hauls the family and gear comfortably, that’s impressive.

That said, the CVT still has some quirks. While it behaves fine in normal driving, we did notice some lag or indecision when accelerating hard, especially when trying to merge or pass at highway speeds. It’s not the most engaging drivetrain, but it’s efficient and smooth in most situations. The handling is light and easy to manage, though the suspension sometimes felt a little unsettled over rough pavement.

How it compares

With a sticker price just over $48,000, the Rogue Platinum costs a few thousand more than some of the competition. However, it is important to note that the 2025 Rogue starts at under $30,000 — a huge advantage in today’s competitive market. Also, most of the competition doesn’t have features such as hands-free driving assist, surround view cameras, etc., which give the Rogue the advantage in those areas.

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Photo courtesy Nissan

Final thoughts

After a week behind the wheel, we can confidently say that the 2025 Nissan Rogue is a solid choice for families or commuters who want something a little nicer than the average SUV, without stepping into a luxury badge. It’s comfortable, stylish, efficient and surprisingly premium feeling. We can easily see why this model continues to sell so well. 

If you’re shopping in the $29,000 to $49,000 range for a practical crossover, the Rogue deserves a close look. Nissan has been on a roll with its new and refreshed models, and the Rogue continues that trend. 

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