By: Jeffrey Ross
Autotropolis.com
The crossover SUV market is getting about as hot now as the original SUV craze was during the late 1990s. With car-based crossovers popping up from just about every manufacturer, Nissan saw an opportunity to compliment its popular Murano with a smaller crossover. 
On sale now, Nissan extended its lineup of vehicles to include a compact crossover with the all-new 2008 Rogue. Built off the same platform as the Sentra, the Rogue gives Nissan a stylish competitor in the compact SUV market.
Outside, the Rogue looks like a watered-down Murano. While the Rogue is definitely an attractive little crossover, Nissan designers obviously decided to keep it safe and stay away from any groundbreaking or unique design elements that made the Murano popular.
Most of the Rogue’s individuality are apparent once inside. Once afforded only to high-end vehicles, the Rogue’s Intelligent Key System adds a touch of luxury and convenience. The Intelligent Key is simply a transponder that allows for quick, keyless entry into the vehicle and push-button ignition features are on the inside. Storage and cargo are also easily catered to with Rogue’s interior offerings. A cavernous glove compartment, 60/40 second row seat and front passenger seat and rear cargo area storage compartment all make the interior versatile and functional. The cargo capacity is ample holding 57.9 cubic feet with the second row seat folded down (28.9 cubic feet with the seat up).
In addition to many convenient features, Nissan made sure the Rogue was a safe vehicle, too. Standard safety features include: roof mounted side-curtain air bags, seat mounted front passenger side air bags, tire pressure monitoring system, traction control and vehicle dynamic control standard.
The largest downfall for the Rogue will most certainly be its lack of powertrain options – just one engine and one transmission.
When compared to its main competitors like the Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4 and Hyundai Tucson, the lack of an optional V6 may limit sales numbers. Similar to the Honda CR-V, the Rogue will rely solely on a four-cylinder engine. Rated at 170 horsepower, the Rogue’s DOHC 2.5-liter engine outperforms its four-cylinder equipped competitors (and almost the V6-powered Tucson).
The continually variable transmission (CVT) may help improve fuel economy and produce a smooth ride, but without a conventional five- or six-speed automatic transmission or even a manual transmission, Nissan severely limits the options on the Rogue. On the upscale SL model, the Rogue drivers are given a manual shift mode thanks to steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters.
Now some good news for the Rogue’s drivetrain. The Rogue comes standard with Intuitive All-Wheel Drive System that automatically switches from powering all four wheels to just the front wheels depending on the driving situation. During initial acceleration or cornering, the Rogue has power at all four wheels for optimal handling and once the vehicle reaches a cruising speed, power is diverted to the front wheels only to help the Rogue attain its EPA estimated 21 MPG city/26 MPG highway.
The Rogue hit showrooms in September with a starting MSRP of $19,250.