Exciting New Features of the 2022 Nissan Rogue

Though Nissan trotted out an all-new generation for the Rogue last year, the brand of Intelligent Mobility has chosen to upgrade the powertrain for the new 2022 Nissan Rogue. Critics are excited about the transformation of power and responsiveness from the new engine, and fuel efficiency is improved from last year’s model, too. Other exciting features are added to the 2022 Rogue, with ProPilot Assist playing a part in the news, and buyers with sharp eyes may notice new brand badging across the front end. As your Mahomet Nissan dealer, we are excited to share the details about the changes Nissan has made to the 2022 Rogue, and we look forward to seeing how people react to the improvements for one of our favorite SUVs.

Change Is Good

Last year, Nissan introduced the third generation of the Rogue, and it received high praise for its new design. The new platform, upgraded interior, new technology, and fresh styling for the exterior made for a winning SUV perfect for small families. Nissan took care to consider details like rear doors that open almost 90 degrees for better access with child seats, redesigned interior storage, and upgrades to the infotainment system for crisper graphics and more convenient interaction through the physical knobs and buttons. All these changes and more made the Nissan SUV better suited to families, including the standard suite of driver-assist safety in Nissan Safety Shield 360. It seems difficult to imagine adding more improvements to such a new design, but Nissan is out-doing itself for 2022.

Refined Engine Power

The engine in the 2021 Rogue is being upgraded with a whole new twist. More torque, more horsepower, and more mileage are the end result of the new powertrain. Nissan stated in a press release that work on the new three-cylinder engine was 20 years in the making, and we think the smoothness of its operation and responsiveness is well worth the wait. Last year, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine had received minor tuning that improved its performance over 2020 models, with an increase in horsepower and torque that meant it delivered 181 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. It was paired to a continuously variable transmission, or CVT, which helped the 2021 Rogue maintain a good fuel economy of 27 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway with front-wheel drive, and with all-wheel drive, the economy was 26 MPG in the city and 33 MPG on the highway.

We felt those numbers were already impressive for an SUV that boasted so much interior space for passengers and cargo, but Nissan continues to improve on the Rogue for buyer satisfaction. The new engine now beats other SUVs in the segment with fuel economy and torque, while it continues to offer the most standard driver-assist safety features of any other SUV in its class. With the new VC-Turbo system, Nissan adjusted the compression ratio to better harness power and make the engine more efficient. Nissan states that it improves in three categories: “acceleration, fuel economy and emissions.” The 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine maximizes capability in combination with the returned Xtronic CVT to increase output to 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque.

That improves the 2022 Rogue’s horsepower by 11 percent, and the torque increases by a whopping 24 percent in comparison with the 2021 model—which was already improved over the 2020 engine capability by a small percentage. With the assistance of the CVT, the 2022 Rogue can now achieve fuel efficiency numbers that should please anyone seeking money-saving SUV options. When equipped with front-wheel drive, the 2022 Rogue will get 30 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. All-wheel drive models will also see the improved numbers, with 28 MPG in the city and 35 MPG on the highway.

The combined efficiency of 33 MPG is 3 MPG better than 2021 models, which will translate into a lot of fuel savings. It will also translate into better acceleration from a stop and on the highway when passing slower vehicles. While this news is certainly welcome, potential buyers of the 2022 Rogue can rest assured that Nissan has already utilized the same engine in other vehicles to great success. Buyers of the Infiniti Q50 or the Nissan Altima have already enjoyed the benefits of the new powerplant, which has been praised by critics for its capability. Compared to that of a traditional automatic transmission that still shifts through gears as a vehicle accelerates or decelerates, the consensus is that the new Nissan CVT behaves more like a traditional geared transmission with immediate acceleration that is immensely satisfying.

Arrive at Your Destination Safe and Rested

Last year, Nissan made the ProPilot Assist semi-autonomous driving feature available across most trims, but it was not standard equipment until now. Like many automakers, Nissan has its own brand of semi-autonomous driving in the ProPilot Assist feature, which works with a combination of Intelligent Cruise Control and Steering Assist. The technology makes it possible to decrease fatigue on long drives when engaged, as the Intelligent Cruise Control maintains speed and appropriate distance from other vehicles even if the traffic comes to a full stop on the highway. Steering Assist helps keep the vehicle in its lane to avoid drifting and maintains centering between road markers. This means less steering correction and no need to apply brakes or step on the accelerator when the ProPilot Assist is engaged.

For 2022, Nissan has made this feature standard for all but the entry-level S trim. Even more exciting is the inclusion of ProPilot Assist with Navi-link as part of the standard features on the uppermost Platinum trim. Buyers will not need to add this as part of a package. This upgraded safety feature takes the ProPilot Assist to a whole new level of convenience by syncing to the onboard navigation for real-time information about the road ahead. Using the navigation, the system intelligently adapts to changes in speed limit by reading road signs and adjusting the speed automatically. It can also change speed according to changes in the route, such as needing to slow for an exit ramp off the highway or adjusting speed for curves in the road. Just like traditional cruise control, you get the vehicle to the desired speed and press a button to engage the system. Easy, efficient, and safe.

What We Still Love About the Rogue and More

Last year, the Rogue gained a lot of new materials that elevated the interior, including the Nissan Zero Gravity seats that provide excellent support and comfort for long drives. Most 2022 Rogue models will come standard with a large eight-inch infotainment display, and the technology features include available wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, NissanConnect service, and standard voice recognition software to make interacting with the system safe while you drive. Wireless charging and tri-zone climate control are also included in the available conveniences of the 2022 Rogue, just like last year’s model.

Nissan chose to add standard rear sunshades to the rear seats for 2022, a feature parents will appreciate to protect their little ones in the back seat when the sun is too bright, especially in hot summer months. Features like remote start with Intelligent Climate Control and the Divide-N-Hide cargo system are still found in the generous list of conveniences buyers can enjoy while they grin about how easily the new 2022 Rogue leaps into action when you hit the gas. And who doesn’t love saving money at the pump? Nissan is revving up its game in the compact SUV segment, and we love it!