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.

We 'escape' with the new Ford crossover

We love the Nissan Rogue but the Ford Escape has a few tricks up its sleeve that may make give the Rogue a good run for its money.

The standard 2.5 four-cylinder is only offered in the base S Trim. You'll have to step up to the SE or top of the range Titanium trim to get the optional 1.5ecoboost four-cylinder pumping out 180hp and the 2-liter ecoboost four-cylinder pumping out 240hp. We'd say the best way to go with the Escape is the 1.5ecoboost engine. It feels much more flexible than the standard 2.5 and you can option for all-wheel-drive if you desire the extra traction. Our tester car was the 1.5ecoboost in the Titanium trim which came ticked with all-wheel-drive and it did come in handy when we drove through a very severe rain storm. The Escape managed to offer really good steering feedback while the chassis managed to handle  the corners and bends well. We know that this isn't a sports car but the confidence that it provides is still really good. There's a little bit of road noise that sneaks into the cabin at higher speeds and some wind noise can be beard around the side mirrors. These are merely nitpicks at best though.

We enjoyed driving the Escape around especially on the highway. The 1.5ecoboost engine doesn't feel short on pull thanks to high torque at low revs. We've tested the Escape before and managed to drive both the 2.5 and the previous 2-liter turbo engine which only pumped out 230hp at the time. The 2.5 is fine for those who are on a budget and really do want an Escape. The running costs are so identical to the 1.5ecoboost that we wouldn't even bother choosing the 2.5. The Escape is easy to squeeze around tight urban streets and can hold its own well on faster paced roads.

The driver's seat offers plenty of adjustments and comfort for driver's of all sizes. The rear seat is comfortable with plenty of headroom and legroom. You shouldn't have any trouble squeezing cargo into the boot as it is plentiful in space. It may not offer the third-row seating option as the Nissan Rogue, but in this case we are willing to ignore that. Most buyers won't really need a third-row seat and besides the Explorer is such a good option to step up to if you do need that extra space. The Ford SYNC system is much easier to use than it was in the Escape we tested. The menus are much easier to navigate through and the dash board isn't as button happy as it once was. We do however wish that Ford made a little more effort in the standard S Trim which really does wear the budget starting price to a tee.

Our tester car came equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, voice-activated navigation system and of course the 1.5ecoboost four-cylinder with all-wheel-drive. Along with those optional features, the standard kit is really good and it should be considering the Titanium trim is the highest trim in the range and is the most expensive as well. We wouldn't bother with this trim as the mid-range SE trim will satisfy most buyers needs. You can choose from the same two engines as the Titanium and if you need all-wheel-drive you can also option for that. It seems though that the all-wheel-drive adds a hefty premium to the overall package and is best avoided unless you have to have the extra traction. We will repeat ourselves again, the all-wheel-drive is a nice added features especially when we were driving around the outer city limits through a rain storm. We however didn't feel it was needed as we've driven an Escape with front-wheel-drive in similar driving conditions and it managed to hold its own just as well.

It's hard to fault the Escape with this refreshened exterior and interior. The new engines on hand are flexible and offer decent running costs. We just feel that Ford has priced the Escape a bit too ambitiously as some keen rivals offer better value for similar money. The Titanium trim while it is good in its own right, we wouldn't bother with it because it can get too expensive for what it is. You'll have to badly want to pay the premium to justify it. The SE trim does the job well and is our pick of the range. Overall the Escape is a smart choice that's made even better.

Likes: The 1.5ecoboost engine is the best of the range. The touch screen infotainment system is much easier to use and the Escape refinement has improved.

Dislikes: All-wheel-drive is an expensive and probably a unneeded option for many. Exterior styling fell on mixed opinion.

Volkswagen Tiguan Limited

The next generation of the Volkswagen Tiguan will be here soon, but you can still buy the current generation if it tickles your fancy.

The sole 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine isn’t the upgraded 2-liter turbo from the GTI but it still makes a respectable 200hp. You can have it with either front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive if you desire the extra traction. We hadn’t had the opportunity to test drive the front-wheel-drive form but instead had the Sport trim with 4-motion all-wheel-drive. The combo together doesn’t feel sluggish at all thanks to high torque at low revs and a smooth six-speed automatic. It really is a GTI on stilts because not only is it fast but it feels very agile where it matters most. It’s not GTI athletic but you’ll get our point here. Steering feedback isn’t as crisp as that of a GTI but it does the job better than some of its keen rivals. Where the Tiguan might fall short is on ride comfort, with the large alloy wheels it did feel a bit more firm than we’d like but the tradeoff is always decent handling and in our books that’s not really something to complain much of. Wind and road noise are well suppressed and the engine is mainly hushed at relaxed speeds.

The interior doesn’t feel up to par with some of its keen rivals but it still feels classy. The touch-screen infotainment system while it is easy to use, it still is distracting to use because of all the various menus. (We’ve said this about several infotainment systems and we will still think that they’re distracting while on the go.) The front seats offer plenty of support while the rear seat offers plenty of space for three abreast. The boot space isn’t as versatile as the Golf’s but it is a decent size and offers plenty of versatility when the rear seat is folded down.

We’d say it’s best to skip the S trims and the Wolfsburg trims as well and go right for the Sport trims. It comes with Bi-Xenon headlights, panorama sunroof, 18-inch alloy wheels and dual-zone climate control. You may pay a slight premium for it but we think that it is well worth it. The interior materials are much improved and the overall appearance makes the Tiguan feel like a classy package.

It’s hard trying to find the right compact crossover that fits you the best, especially with so many of them to choose from. But we’ve broken it down with this statement. Buy the Tiguan Sport or SEL because those are the classiest forms, everyone else is better off looking elsewhere because the Tiguan is less than average among heavy hitters like the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson.

Likes: Turbo engine offers the flexibility we love. The interior is classy VW and the standard kit list is pretty good too.

Dislikes: The more expensive trims feel the classiest. The new Tiguan is around the corner and has three-rows of seats.

Our pick: Go right for the Sport or SEL trims. You may have to pay extra for them but they feel well worth the premium.

[Short drive] Volkswagen Golf Alltrack

What happens when you take a Golf Estate and give it the same ground clearance as a crossover? You get a Golf Alltrack.

The same engine from the Golf comes standard in the Alltrack and well is the only engine choice you have. It’s a smooth 1.8-liter turbo which offers decent torque at low revs and also has low running costs as well, despite having standard all-wheel-drive. There’s only a six-speed auto gearbox on hand but it does such a good job that a manual gearbox just seems redundant. It doesn’t take much to get the Alltrack going because it feels eager and even when you’re not driving it like a hooligan; it’s very much smooth at relaxed speeds. Steering feedback is what it should be, responsive and with tons of feedback; while the chassis is nothing to brag about. It’s still comfortable and secure enough for most buyers’ likings. You won’t complain much about wind and road noise either.

The interior feels very upscale with plenty of adjustments for both the driver’s seat and front passenger. The infotainment system is pretty simple and straight forward, however we still say with touch screen designs, there are tons of menus that make them distracting while on the go. We highly suggest getting familiar with it or keep it simple while on the go. The materials used inside of the cabin feel top notch. The rear seat is decent in space but it can get a little cramped if taller passengers are in the front seats. The boot space is roomy with the seats in place but with the seats folded down it’s roomier than most small crossovers.

Standard S trim comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, rearview camera system, heated front seats and V-Tex leatherette seating surfaces. SE trim adds panoramic sunroof, Fender premium audio system and keyless access with push-button start. Top of the range SEL 18-inch alloys, navigation system and sport seats for the driver and passenger.

The Golf Alltrack adds all-wheel-drive and added ground clearance that makes it a Subaru Outback rival. Sadly however, the Alltrack isn’t as roomy as an Outback and it’s also quite more expensive too. But for those who really do care about the badge, the Alltrack is a great choice but it’s not the best choice and we certainly wish some features were standard instead of optional.

Likes: Comfortable to drive daily. Refinement is what you’d expect of a VW. Standard all-wheel-drive is almost as good as Subaru’s.

Dislike: It can get expensive. Awkward placement of the push button ignition switch.

Devon tries to see if the Nissan Versa Note is a note worth playing (Used)

Don’t like the classy and well regarded Honda Fit. The Nissan Versa Note will tick all the right buttons; but does it hit all the right notes?

The sole engine on hand is a 1.6 which is pretty much all you’ll ever really need with the Versa. It does offer decent flexibility around town and you may find yourself thrashing the engine on the highway to keep up with faster paced traffic.  Running costs are actually quite good which does help justify the small amount of power the engine produces.

Drive it the way it was intended to be driven and you’ll find yourself in a very comfortable small car. Push it into a corner or bend and you’ll be quickly reminded that this is an economy car. Handling isn’t bad but there is way too much body roll and this is all due to the suspension being set more towards comfort than agility. Plus the steering feedback is just okay. You may want to take a look at the Ford Fiesta if you want a fun to drive small car. Refinement is good but it isn’t as great as the Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit.

The driver’s seat does offer plenty of adjustments but the steering wheel only adjusts for height. There is plenty of space for four passengers and the interior feels pretty airy for such a small car. The boot space is decent too but with the seats folded down it’s even more spacious.

The saying goes you get what you pay for and the Versa Note is no exception. Standard S trim comes with air-con, cd-player and Bluetooth for your mobile phone. Sadly this is also the only trim that offers a five-speed manual gearbox. S-Plus trim adds CVT transmission, active grille shutters and dual power outside mirrors. You’ll have to step up to SV trim to get power windows and keyless entry as well as cruise control and USB connection for you iPod. SR trim adds alloy wheels, body-kit and unique interior trim. SL trim adds aluminum alloy wheels, keyless start and class-executive around view monitor.

The saving grace for the Versa Note is that it is cheap to buy and cheap to run. It may not hold its value as well as the Honda Fit, but for those that shop with their wallets won’t mind the somewhat average depreciation of the Versa Note and discounts will not be hard to come by. The interior isn’t anything to brag about but the materials feel very sturdy and long lasting. Plus Nissan consistently scores well in reliability.

All Versa Notes come with six-airbags, traction control and electronic stability program as well as anti-lock brakes and tire pressure monitoring system. Sadly not all versions get an immobilizer system to guard against theft.

The Nissan Versa Note is a great car for those who are on a budget and need a reliable and sensible car. It may not be as flexible as the Ford Fiesta or Honda Fit but it does the job well. Too bad you’ll have to pay for the options you’ll see standard on its rivals and it really doesn’t seem that much of a value either when you look at its standard kit. But for the price and the money you’ll save the Versa Note is a decent choice but not the best.

Devon’s Pick: SV trim adds comfort features such as power windows, keyless entry and cruise control. Buyers who want a manual gearbox are sadly stuck picking the very basically equipped S trim. But at least it offers Bluetooth which is rare in this price segment.

Likes: Overall it’s a decent car with low asking price and low running costs. The interior and boot space are both generous. A commuter car or workhorse this it really does tick the right buttons.

Dislikes: Keyless entry and power windows aren’t standard on all trims and not all trims get a manual gearbox option. SR trim has the looks but lacks the oomph; it doesn’t hit the right notes in refinement and SL trim is pricey for what it is.

Pathological loves the VW Golf (Used)

There’s only one car that holds king of the hatchbacks and that’s the Volkswagen Golf.

Standard 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder pumps out 170hp and may not sound like much to some but it really is the only engine you really need with this car. It’s quite flexible around town and offers plenty of oomph when you’re driving on the highway thanks to high torque at revs. You can choose between a five-speed manual gearbox and a six-speed auto gearbox. We’d suggest opting for the auto gearbox. While we do love manual gearboxes, this one just doesn’t feel up to par with the competition but it is not as bad as the one we tested in the Toyota IM. Steering feedback is what you’d expect it to be, and handling is slightly softer than the GTI but it is far from dull or uninspiring. We found ourselves enjoying zipping around town and the composure the Golf presented when driving on the highway. The engine is smooth at all rpm levels and doesn’t feel out of its depths like it does in let’s say the Passat. Road and wind noise are so well suppressed that you’d think that this were a far more expensive vehicle than it really is.

The interior feels upscale with classy feeling plastics used. The infotainment system isn’t as frustrating to use as the Honda Civic but the different menus can get distracting while on the go. The front seats offer plenty of support and space while the rear seat is roomy too, it’s actually much roomier than the exterior size would suggest. The boot space is really good too and for such a small car it actually feels more spacious than the Ford Focus. We love how the boot release is hidden behind the enormous VW badge.

Volkswagen cut the number of trim levels for 2017 to just two for the Golf and well both seem well kitted for the money. Standard S Trim gets heated side mirrors, Bluetooth audio streaming for you mobile device. Rearview camera system and 6.5-inch multi-media touch screen infotainment system. Wolfsburg Edition gets a panoramic sunroof, automatic headlights, autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitoring system and keyless access with push button ignition system.

The Golf is hands down the best hatchback money can buy, if you find the engine lacking in power you can always get the GTI which has 210hp and 220hp from a 2-liter turbo four. Everyone else will love the Golf for its low running costs and roomy interior for such a small size. It really is all the car you’ll ever need. (Literally!)

Likes: Zippy turbo engine and low running costs, the boot space is generous for size and the overall interior is roomy. Simplified trim levels yet each trim level is stuffed with kit.

Dislikes: You can no longer option for Bi-xenon headlamps. We miss the SEL trim despite it being pricey.

Our pick: The Wolfsburg Edition comes with plenty of kit standard without being overpriced.