2019 Nissan Rogue

The 2019 Nissan Rogue shows its age when compared to rivals from Honda, Toyota, Kia, Hyundai, Ford, and GM among others. It has always appealed to a rather pragmatic audience—those who appreciate the sizable trunk, and, until 2018, the ability to option the Rogue with seating for seven. While the Rogue soldiers on as a five-seat compact SUV, it does so with the same limited choice of engines and a continuously variable automatic transmission that detracts from the driving experience.

Power, such as it is at 170 hp, comes from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, or a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a hybrid motor delivering a combined 176 hp. The hybrid nets a scant 5 mpg advantage over the regular Rogue, according to the EPA rating. Neither is particularly inspiring to drive, though they take it easy and the suspension offers good ride comfort. The very supportive front seats help, too. But the interior, once one of the best among compact SUVs, can feel dated against competitors.