Nissan Rogue Sport

Don't let the name fool you. The 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport isn't the "sporty" edition of its namesake, at least not by any performance measure. The Rogue Sport has a smaller, less powerful engine than the larger Nissan Rogue. It also doesn't inspire any more appreciable driving thrill. But weighed against its competitors, the Rogue Sport makes a compelling case. It offers good head- and legroom for tall passengers, cargo space is ample, and it comes with an impressive array of advanced driver aids. It also cuts a sharp figure at rest.

But the Rogue Sport also forces some compromises. The underpowered engine can make highway entrances and lane changes a cautious affair. The seats, too, quickly turn uncomfortable on longer trips. We don't consider these deal-breakers overall but urge buyers to also consider other extra-small crossover SUVs such as the Hyundai Kona and Kia Soul. For more on our take on the 2021 Rogue Sport, check out the categories of our Expert Rating below.

Which Rogue Sport does MatoCar recommend?

The 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is a five-passenger compact SUV offered in three trim levels. The S base trim comes with respectable standard comforts and impressive driver safety aids, while the SV adds more features and desirable options. The SL heads upscale with comfort and style upgrades such as 19-inch wheels, leather seating and navigation.

All Rogue Sport models come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (141 horsepower, 147 lb-ft of torque) and a continuously variable automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels. All-wheel drive is optional on all trims.

Rogue Sport S The base trim S comes with essentials such as:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic headlights
• Cloth upholstery
• Height-adjustable driver's seat
• 60/40-split folding rear seats that slide and recline

Standard technology and safety features include:

• 7-inch touchscreen display
• Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration
• Satellite radio
• USB input
• Four-speaker sound system
• Blind-spot monitoring (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
• Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)
• Lane departure mitigation (warns you of a lane departure when a turn signal isn't used and can automatically steer to maintain lane position)
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
• Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
• Forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)

Rogue Sport SV Adds more convenience features such as:

• Remote engine start
• Push-start ignition
• Foglights
• Keyless entry
• Heated side mirrors
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Heated front seats
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Six-speaker sound system

Optional for the SV is the SV Technology package that adds:

• Cloth and simulated leather seat upholstery
• Driver's seat memory settings
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Rogue Sport and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Rogue Sport and the car in front)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)

Rogue Sport SL Gains more style and tech features including:

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Leather seating
• Navigation system
• The driver safety features from the SV's Technology package

The Premium package for the SL includes:

• Sunroof
• LED headlights
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Driver's seat and side mirror memory settings
• Power-adjustable passenger seat
• Eight-speaker Bose sound system