We test drive the Rogue Sport (used)

If you heard the name Rogue Sport you’d immediately think it were a turbo version of the Rogue. However, it’s more of a little brother to the Rogue. Competing with crossovers like the Honda HR-V and Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Does the Rogue Sport offering a compelling reason to sway buyers away from some of the class best?

The sport tagline seems to be just added to spice the name up because the Rogue Sport really isn’t ‘sporty’ in the nearest form. The 2-liter four-cylinder is the sole engine for this vehicle and it only pumps out 141hp. The running costs are very low on this vehicle which should appeal to those who want a crossover but don’t want to break the bank. We just wish that Nissan offered the turbo engine from the Juke in the top of the range trim for those who may want the extra flexibility and well to be honest give the Rogue Sport a reason to call it a Rogue Sport. The engine isn’t bad at all, when you are driving at relaxed speeds and around town there’s plenty of pep in acceleration. It does feel a little sluggish on faster paced roads but it’s class average in horsepower figures and well if you want more power you’ll either have to get the Juke or step up to the more expensive Rogue.

Driving the Rogue Sport is sort of like every other compact crossover. It doesn’t feel as sharp to drive as the Mazda CX-3 and it certainly isn’t as agile either. It is very comfortable as a daily commuter car and we really love the crossover seating position. Visibility outward and around is good and the overall driving experience is more on the blah side, it does feel livelier than the Rogue but that’s mainly because of the size difference. It’s dinky dimensions makes squeezing around tight urban streets a breeze, however nothing beats the conventional hatchback. The driver’ seat and front passenger seats are very comfortable and offer decent support, while those in the second row will find both legroom and headroom is decent as well. The boot is about class average as well, it’s not the best but it does the job good enough.

Standard S trim gets rearview monitor, advanced drive-assist display and Bluetooth for your mobile device. You’ll have to step up to the SV trim to get 17-inch alloy wheels, push button ignition switch, power outside mirrors with LED turn signals and electrically operated driver’s seat with lumbar support. Top of the range SV trim gets 19-inch alloy wheels, navigation system, leather seats and Around View camera with moving object detection. All-wheel-drive is optional on all trims.

The Nissan Rogue Sport isn’t sporty but it does offer a very compelling package. It offers decent kit for the money and is very stylish, we just wish that Nissan induced more fun into the driving experience and also added the turbo engine from the Juke to standout more from the herd. It’s a great crossover with low running costs and should satisfy those who want a crossover but don’t want to break the bank.

Likes: A crossover that’s easy to park and live with in tight urban areas. Plus it has low running costs and decent standard kit; stylish inside out with a decent sized boot.

Dislikes: It’s not sporty and the engine feels anemic.

Devon’s Pick: The SV trim offers the best value for the money here. You can skip the all-wheel-drive as it’s not needed here, unless you just have to have the extra traction.

 If we could change anything: The Rogue Sport is already a decent crossover worthy of being shortlisted, however we wish that we could replace the engine in the SL with the 1.6 turbo from the Juke. Nissan would dominate the small crossover segment as it would be the only option for a turbo engine at a low price point. We know that the Juke exists but why not add an option for those who don’t like the way the Juke looks but still wants a fun to drive crossover that’s flexible and lives up to the ‘Rogue Sport’ name.

Pathological test drives a Hyundai Elantra (Used)

The compact sedan segment is flooded with options to choose from. Which kind of sucks considering that hatchbacks and wagons are far superior in both style and versatility. But for those who prefer the three-box design, the Hyundai Elantra maybe one of those options worth looking further into. If a Toyota Corolla doesn’t tickle your fancy.

The Elantra offers three engine options; the standard 2-liter four-cylinder offers decent flexibility and will be the engine that mainstream Elantras come equipped with. Eco models get a 1.4 turbocharged four-cylinder. It doesn’t have as much horsepower as the 2-liter but it makes up for that with 156lb-ft torque available at a low 1400rpm for more flexibility around town and on the highway. Plus this engine running costs are much lower than the 2-liter. Those who want a bit more sport will find the 1.6 turbo engine offers plenty of get up and go punch. It’s odd that this engine isn’t offered in the Limited trim as well, considering that the Limited trim is the most expensive of the range.

The Elantra we had as a tester for majority of the review was the Eco model which was the most impressive of the range. It didn’t feel sluggish at all and the engine’s high torque means that acceleration is pretty peppy considering a 128hp vs 147hp deficit. Handling is more on the neutral side and steering is almost as if it just lost all communication from the front wheels. There’s almost no feedback when desired and doesn’t really encourage you to drive enthusiastically, which sucks even more because the Sport trim begs for a firmer suspension and better steering.  Refinement is actually quite good, there’s almost no wind and road noise to complain of. The seven-speed automatic in our tester car isn’t all that great but it really isn’t a deal breaker either.

One thing that I loathe about sedans is that they are very awkwardly designed and it makes parking such a chore. The Elantra however isn’t really the case here. It’s compact size makes parking pretty easy, with visibility being quite good. The front seats aren’t all that comfortable though and the infotainment system can be a little fussy at times, but it’s not all bad news. The rear seat does offer decent space for three and the boot space is generous too, but the old fashioned trunk hinges does eat into cargo space. Interior materials used are good and overall feel of the plastics used aren’t completely rubbish, but they aren’t the best either.

SE trim comes standard with Driver’s Blind spot mirror, remote keyless entry with alarm and driver’s knee airbag. Value Edition adds dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, auto-dimming rear-view mirror and hands-free smart trunk. Eco trim adds a 7-speed automatic, automatic headlight control, rearview parking camera and push button ignition switch. Sport adds LED taillights, sport front seats with leather seating surfaces and sporty exterior styling. Limited trim gets LED daytime running lamps, dual charging USB ports, Android/Apple CarPlay integration, blind spot detection and 7-inch infotainment display.

The Elantra does offer good value for the money. It may not be as sharp to drive as the Mazda 3 or as roomy as a Volkswagen Jetta. But for the money you are getting a pretty good vehicle overall, we just wish the Sport trim had better steering feedback and the Limited Trim came with the 1.6 turbo also. The Elantra however is worthy of your short list if a small sedan is a must.

Likes: Great value for the money, Eco trim has lowest running costs. It’s hard to fault it.

Dislikes: Resale value is still iffy. Limited trim hard to justify with no turbo engine, and when you compare it to the Value Edition it makes even less sense. Steering feedback could be better.

Devon’s Pick: We’d choose the Eco model because it’s decently priced, offers low running costs and seems like the better deal. However, the Value Edition is also worth considering too if you can’t justify the Limited trim.