Review: The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek is the best Rogue yet

By Jason Bell

The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek is the latest ruggedized iteration of Nissan’s popular midsize SUV, and it’s our favorite Rogue yet. For drivers who want a mix of rugged aesthetics, practical functionality and some minor off-road ready enhancements, the Rogue Rock Creek is an enjoyable, practical and comfortable option. 

Over a week of testing, we found the Rogue Rock Creek to be not only an improvement on an already great crossover, but a hopeful nod to the direction Nissan could take in the future. Here are just a few reasons why the Rogue Rock Creek is the Rogue to buy.

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Exterior styling is rugged and ready

We’ll say this upfront: We think the Rock Creek trimmed Rogue is the best looking Rogue in the lineup, even if it has the same ground clearance as the rest of the trims. The Rock Creek trim sets itself apart with its distinctive 17-inch off-road wheels, Falken Wild Peak all-terrain tires, blacked-out grille, lava red stitching, orange accents and raised roof rack.

Photo credit: Nissan USA Newsroom

It's all a believable nod to outdoor adventures, even if the Rogue isn’t very adventurous itself. In other words, this mostly appearance package only contributes to the Rogue’s innate charm, even if it is kind of a poser. The trim’s exclusive two-tone paint options further add to its appeal, making it a head turner around town and near light mountain trails.

We wish it had an inch or two more ground clearance, maybe slightly larger tires and some skid plates. Just those simple additions to the Rock Creek trim would improve off-road performance for an otherwise mechanically stock Rogue. Still, the package genuinely looks good and dresses up the Rogue in some really appealing ways. 

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Interior comfort and space is a highlight

This wasn’t our first time with a Rogue, and upon stepping inside, we were again delighted at how wonderful the interiors are on these crossovers. The Rock Creek trim uses a mixture of moisture-resistant cloth and leatherette on the seats, which feel and look nice. The leatherette-wrapped steering wheel, simple dash and analog gauges are also welcome and lovely to use. 

Of course, as with all Nissans, the Zero Gravity seats were a standout and very comfortable for both shorter and longer drives. We think they’re some of the best seats in the industry. Whether navigating city streets or enduring stop-and-go traffic on I-15, they are supportive seats that always keep fatigue at bay. 

Photo credit: Nissan USA Newsroom

The interior may not be the most luxurious, but it all just makes sense. It’s intuitive, refreshingly simple and well thought out. The rear seat and cargo space is also useful. Three adults can sit in the rear more comfortably than in most of the competition, making the Rogue ideal for hauling kids or ridesharing.

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Pleasant driving experience

One of our favorite features of the Rogue is its ride quality, which the Rock Creek only improves on, largely due to its squishy, thicker sidewall tires. It’s also easy to drive, with great visibility, and good pedal and steering feel. 

Under the hood, the Rogue Rock Creek is equipped with Nissan’s tiny 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine, which produces 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. It's a small engine, and we question its capability and reliability off-road, but it does succeed in being efficient. It's torquey enough for most driving scenarios, and the Xtronic continuously variable transmission does a decent job of keeping power where you need it. 

Overall, the Rogue Rock Creek is an exceptionally easy vehicle to jump into and drive. It’s comfortable, reasonably punchy, easy to park and free of excessive or intrusive technology, all of which contribute to a natural, easygoing driving experience.

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Photo credit: Nissan USA Newsroom

Fuel economy and everyday usability

Despite its adventurous styling, the Rogue Rock Creek is supremely practical in everyday driving. With an estimated 28 mpg combined, it offers respectable fuel efficiency for a crossover in its class, making it an economical choice for commuters and families alike. In our week of testing, we averaged just over 29 mpg.

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Where does it fall short? 

The Rogue Rock Creek is a solid option in the compact SUV segment. In reality, though, the Rock Creek trim is more of an appearance package than anything else. But, oh what an appearance package it is! Buyers should know that the Rock Creek isn’t really meant for anything more than mild dirt roads. 

Also, the Rogue’s engine and transmission seem an odd pair for this crossover. We can see this drivetrain making a lot of sense in something like the subcompact Versa, but it feels outmatched at times here in the Rogue Rock Creek. 

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Photo credit: Nissan USA Newsroom

Final thoughts

The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek offers a compelling mix of comfort, style and practicality. It’s an excellent choice for buyers looking to add some adventurous flair to their everyday lives while maintaining fuel efficiency and ease of use. 

With its thoughtful, attractive design and features, the Rock Creek trim is easily our favorite Rogue trim and the one we’d recommend, especially to those wanting a touch of rugged style without sacrificing daily practicality. If you must have luxury features such as the quilted leather, you can find them on the Platinum trim. 

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Highs 

• Exceptionally comfortable seats

• Plush, comfortable ride

• Stylish, rugged exterior design

• Versatile and capable all-wheel-drive system

• User-friendly infotainment and tech features

• Excellent fuel economy

Lows

• Rock Creek trim is largely an appearance package

• Engine and CVT pairing can feel underwhelming at times

*KSL Cars does not endorse any vehicles. The views or opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer and do not reflect the views or opinions of KSL.com or its employees.