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Nissan gets it. Their 2017 Rogue mid-size SUV lineup, now with a new hybrid and plus an alternative compact Rogue Sport version, fits the needs and wants of the full range of value conscious active – and not so active lifestyle – consumers in the U.S. market.
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The 2017 Rogue offers something for everyone across the consumer spectrum from singles and newlyweds through young families to older families and all the way up to people like us – active empty nesters – who have a few good years left and want to take every opportunity to make the most of them. The right vehicle makes that happen.
It wasn’t always that way. Not everyone offered a vehicle lineup that worked for active lifestyle empty nesters and when they did, they did not market it as such. So here is our rant. In recent years, every time we attended a launch of a new SUV or crossover that had the right stuff for empty nesters, we heard about how perfect their product was for various target groups – except empty nesters. Were we invisible? When we posed the question about the empty nester market, we most often got a smile and a nod, but that was it.
So here are the simple facts. Empty nesters today are physically and mentally measurably younger than earlier generations. We seek out and are pursuing active lifestyles and want an affordable vehicle that readily supports our new active mature approach to life. Lastly, there are a whole lot of us out here and we have the disposable income to buy any trim level plus packages.
We might actually buy a pair – his and hers.
With the 2017 Rogue lineup – Nissan has shown us they get it. Imagine our surprise at the launch of the 2017 Rogue when they portrayed it as also a good ‘empty nester alternative’. Not only had they designed and delivered a vehicle which fits empty nesters at every level – they were marketing it as such.
Accordingly, we are giving our first ever ‘Empty Nester Award of Merit’ to Nissan who in recognition that empty nesters exist, now offer an affordably right vehicle for our active lifestyles and, better yet, talk about it.
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2017 Nissan Rogue features important to empty nesters
The 2017 Nissan Rogue is packed well with features and capabilities that appeal individually to different target audiences at different levels. In the case of empty nesters, it is not just one or two elements but rather a collection or group of multiple elements in Rogue makes the 2017 Rogue a stand out value for active lifestyle empty nesters.
The 2017 Rogue comes in three well-appointed trim levels with carefully crafted packages and options available that maximize the active lifestyle experience. The three trims are S, SV and SL and priced (FWD) from MSRP $24,240 to $30,360. AWD for all adds $1,350.
The powerful yet economical powertrain delivers a spirited drive experience that handles the road well in town or on the highway. A 2.5L four-cylinder engine produces 170 horsepower with 175 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a next generation Xtronic CVT Transmission with D-Step Shift Logic, Sport Shifter and Eco Mode switch. It is fuel economy rated at 25/32 mpg city/highway and 27 mpg combined.
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The Rogue’s cabin is generously sized and offers multiple configurations for active lifestyle people and their cargo. Cabin volume is 105 cubic feet and seats up to seven comfortably in three rows – if equipped – plus brings along their ‘stuff’.
A number of features caught our attention. In particular we noted the Quick Comfort Heated Seats and well-engineered 6-way Power Driver Seat w/ Power Lumbar Adjust. The Interior Mood Lighting system made it easy to find the plethora of both cup and bottle holders (adequately sized) in all rows at night.
Wide opening rear doors provide easy entry for rear passengers. Its EZ Flex system allows sliding, reclining or folding down of seating as needed. For those empty nesters bringing along the grandchildren, Rogue is equipped with the LATCH seating system with Child Restraint Upper Tether Anchors and Child Safety Rear Door Locks
As for bringing along active lifestyle gear, Rogue has 32 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row with 70.0 cubic feet of storage – second row folded down. The fold down front seat enables hauling of long ‘stuff’ like a canoe or kayak. The Nissan Divide-N-Hide Cargo System enables handling of taller cargo with the adjustable lowered floor deck. Loading is made easier with the optional Motion Activated Tailgate and a set of Fixed Cross Bars for the Roof Rail system on the roof.
Some of the notable convenience and technology features offered on the 2017 Rogue include: NissanConnect with Navigation and Mobile Apps, 7-inch Color Touch Display, SiriusXM Radio with Traffic and Travel Link, Bose Premium Audio with 9-speakers, Bluetooth Hands-free technology, Siri Eyes Free capability and multiple 12-volt power outlets.
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Standard or available – depending on the trim – are: Dual zone Temperature Control and rear seat A/C vents, Intelligent Key with Remote and Push-Button Start, Halogen headlights with Auto On/Off and High Beam Assist, LED Daytime Running Lights, Fog Lights, LED taillights and Heated Side Mirrors w/LED Turn Signals.
Other driver convenience and/or safety amenities include: Rear View Monitor, Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Vehicle Dynamic Control, Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, Individual Tire Pressure Monitoring and Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers.
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2017 Nissan Rogue SL AWD as tested
We recently spent a week with a top-of-the-line Rogue SL AWD doing our ‘empty nester’ thing in the Hill Country environs of Central Texas.
The MSRP for our test Rogue was $31,310.
To make sure they showed us just about everything a very active lifestyle empty nester couple might need or want – not already on our Rogue – Nissan had added a number of packages and optional items.
Included were a Power Panoramic Moonroof, LED Headlights, Forward Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, 19-inch alloy wheels, Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention plus their super comfortable Tan Leather-Appointed seats with Quilted Leather Inserts.
Delivered, our test 2017 Nissan Rogue SL AWD priced at $35,475.
Plus it fits in our garage – just in case Nissan has one they need to park somewhere for a while.
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Rogue Hybrid Alternative
Many empty nesters are very much into hybrid vehicles and the 2017 Rogue offers a gasoline-electric choice for them.
The 2017 Nissan Rogue Hybrid offers essentially the same convenience, technology and functional capability as its gasoline powered siblin. Utilizing the Nissan Intelligent Dual Clutch system, it efficiently integrates its 2.0L gasoline engine with a 40-horsepower electric motor to deliver a net 176 horsepower. Fuel economy is 33/35 mpg city/highway and 34 mpg combined.
The Rogue Hybrid is available in two trims SV and SL in both FWD and AWD. The FWD SV MSRP is $26,240 (only $1,000 more than the gasoline version) with AWD another $1,350.
We have not driven the hybrid so cannot speak to how well it performs compared to the gasoline version.
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A smaller Rogue Sport also available
For the urban lifestyle empty nester or those not needing as much cargo capacity, Nissan has introduced the compact Rogue Sport ( https://www.nissanusa.com/crossovers/rogue-sport ) to the market. Known as the Qashqai elsewhere in the world, Sport is well suited for urban environments with its smaller footprint and wheelbase making it more maneuverable and easier to park in the city.
Sport is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder 141 horsepower engine mated to their Xtronic transmission with ECO switch. It’s two rows seats five comfortably with 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats. With seats, down and using the Divide-N-Hide Cargo System, it offers up to 61.1 cubic feet of space for urban lifestyle gear.
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The Rogue Sport offers – standard or available – the same comprehensive suite of convenience, technology and safety features as its bigger Rogue sibling. Sport comes as both FWD and AWD in three trim levels: S, SV and SL starting at $21,240. AWD is an additional $1,350.
We have spent a little time in the Sport and find it as we expected – nimble and well-suited for active empty nesters in an urban environment.
Go here https://www.nissanusa.com/crossovers/rogue for more information on the 2017 Rogue lineup.
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