The 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is a new redesign of Nissan’s popular subcompact SUV that seeks to leverage technological innovation to provide a superior model in this crowded class of vehicles. Nissan refers to this as Intelligent Mobility, and the aim is to give drivers the most advanced model possible without pricing it outside of the target market’s budget. With an MSRP of $23,860 for the base Rogue Sport S model with front-wheel drive, it is clear that Nissan succeeded in its goal of offering the all-new Rogue Sport at an affordable price comparable to the models offered by their competitors.
But what about the vehicle itself? Nissan has succeeded in providing a Rogue Sport that seamlessly integrates the technological components into a cohesive whole that is sure to interest and excite drivers looking for a sporty subcompact SUV. From an efficient powertrain with an innovative transmission system to a set of active safety features that come standard, Nissan has put together a package that is sure to entice even the most skeptical customer, showing that you can get a technologically advanced vehicle without having to pay luxury car prices.
Innovative Engineering in the Powertrain and Drivetrain
Folks who drive crossovers and compact SUVs like the Rogue Sport are looking for an engine that is efficient enough to get great fuel economy while also providing solid acceleration. Unfortunately, these are often mutually exclusive concepts, trading off performance for better gas mileage. Nissan has solved this problem through innovation as part of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility program.
The 2021 Rogue Sport runs on a 2.0-liter DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder gas engine. To boost the power on this engine, Nissan utilizes direct injection with platinum-tipped spark plugs to provide improved efficiency. As a result, this engine can produce up to 141 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque. Yet, even with this great performance capability, the Rogue Sport won’t hurt you at the gas pump. The front-wheel drive model provides an impressive 25 miles per gallon in city driving and 32 miles per gallon on the highway. If you choose the Rogue Sport with the available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, you can expect to get 24 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway.
Speaking of the Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, this takes the guesswork out of using an advanced drivetrain to provide added traction. Where most other SUVs have full-time all-wheel drives that are great in inclement weather but impede performance on highway driving, Nissan’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive actually adapts to changing road conditions all on its own. The system starts out by providing power to the Rogue Sport’s four wheels. Once you are up to speed, the system shifts to powering just the front wheels. However, if the system detects changing conditions such as quality of the road, need for cornering, or inclement weather, it will begin to power all four wheels again. All this happens seamlessly, so you just have to focus on driving.
One of the other great innovations on the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is its Xtronic CVT. CVT stands for continuously variable transmission and replaces set gear speeds with a smart transmission that constantly adjusts engine speed to changes in the driving conditions. While this improves fuel efficiency, this can at times seem a little clunky to some drivers. This is where the manual mode comes in, allowing you to mimic gear changes under hard acceleration, giving your vehicle a sportier feel. You are sure to enjoy this added control when you’re out on the highway, testing the limits of your Rogue Sport.
Advanced Safety Technology Sets a Standard
Safety may be the greatest concern of most drivers. Let’s face it, when you head out on the road with your friends and loved ones; you want to know that you have the ability to avoid a collision or to at least minimize the effects of a crash. No one wants to get into an accident, but they are a fact of life that comes with driving. To that end, Nissan has equipped every model of the 2021 Nissan Rogue with a suite of safety features called Nissan Safety Shield 360.
This system is designed to improve overall vehicle safety by utilizing smart technology to assist the driver in emergent situations through warnings, controls, and braking. Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection will let you know if you are following the vehicle in front of you too closely to effectively brake. It will also automatically apply the brakes on your Rogue Sport to avoid a collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian. Rear Automatic Braking works in a similar fashion by engaging the brakes if it detects something in your path when backing up.
Rear Cross Traffic Alert lets you know if another vehicle is about to cross your path when you put your Rogue Sport in reverse. Blind Spot Warning is very helpful when you need to change lanes on the highway. This feature will alert you if another vehicle is in your path when you signal for a lane change. Similarly, Lane Departure Warning keeps your Rogue Sport in the lane if the system detects that you are drifting. Finally, High Beam Assist will automatically turn your high beams off if it detects another vehicle approaching. It will then turn them back on once the other vehicle has passed.
Nissan has also equipped the 2021 Rogue Sport with a number of other features that will improve the safe performance of your vehicle. Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control System improves traction so you can better keep your Rogue Sport on the road. Intelligent Trace Control automatically adjusts the brakes when you steer around curves. Intelligent Engine Brake will apply engine braking to provide a smoother ride and better fuel economy. Active Ride Control automatically applies the brakes and adjusts engine torque whenever your Rogue Sport hits a bump to provide a smoother ride for you and your passengers. Also, Hill Start Assist will prevent your Rogue Sport from rolling back when you have to move from a stop on a steep grade.
While not every collision is avoidable, the Nissan Safety Shield 360 safety features and these other systems will help to reduce the probability of your vehicle being involved in an accident. It will also give you peace of mind that you have the most advanced safety features on your vehicle so you and your passengers can go places safely.
Staying Connected Through Nissan Intelligent Mobility
Not every technological feature on the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is designed for improved vehicle performance; some are designed to make driving the Rogue Sport more enjoyable. Every model of the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is equipped with the NissanConnect infotainment system on a 7-inch color touchscreen. This includes an audio system with at least four speakers, Bluetooth connectivity and audio streaming, and satellite radio with a three-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio. In addition, the NissanConnect supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can access all your smartphone apps seamlessly on the system.
Cutting Edge Automotive Technology Has a Name: Nissan Intelligent Mobility
The 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport represents the ideal blend of technology and automotive ingenuity in a sporty compact SUV. This is because Nissan has leveraged its technological advances into the Nissan Intelligent Mobility package and applied it to every model of the Rogue Sport, so you don’t have to feel left out by buying a less expensive trim. The standard powertrain, Safety Shield 360 safety features, and NissanConnect infotainment system show Nissan’s dedication to its technology and its belief that each of its customers should benefit from these innovations. Try a 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport yourself and see why you don’t have to pay a premium to get cutting-edge automotive technology in your next SUV.
