I spent a week with the 2025 Nissan Rogue Platinum, and it's a mixed bag. The interior styling and creature comforts make you feel you’re in a higher-class ride. Quilted leather seats, a floating center console, and panoramic moonroof all deliver that upscale vibe—passengers will notice. The Zero Gravity seats actually help on long drives, and those rear doors that open wide are big wins when loading kids or groceries.
Every Rogue trim comes with Safety Shield 360, which includes automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, rear automatic braking, and high beam assist. On SL and Platinum trims, you also get the upgraded infotainment: a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Google built-in (Maps, Assistant, plus more from Google Play), wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. The 3D Intelligent Around View Monitor with front wide-angle and "invisible hood" views makes parking—especially in tight spots—far less stressful. ProPILOT Assist 2.1 steps in on highways, steering and managing acceleration and braking so you can take your hands off the steering wheel (with attentive supervision of course).
The powertrain across all trims is a 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine delivering 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. That setup gives you solid fuel economy—around 30 to 33 mpg combined in front-wheel-drive models—but driving is a letdown. The CVT manages the power in a way that feels numb under acceleration and disconnected during highway merges. It's smooth, yes, but it lacks urgency. A hybrid version would fix those shortcomings—more power, better efficiency, more appeal. Competitors like the Honda CR-V Hybrid and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid already deliver that heightened responsiveness and better gas mileage.
Here’s how the Rogue trims lay out, and yes, the pricing is from Nissan’s latest updates:
• Rogue S (FWD) starts at approximately $28,590
• Rogue SV (FWD) starts near $29,590
• Rogue SL (FWD) climbs to about $35,090
• Rogue Platinum (FWD) comes in around $38,590
Opting for AWD usually adds $1,400 to $2,000; the Rock Creek edition (AWD) starts around $33,490. A fully loaded AWD Platinum can land around $47,400 after freight and options.
Why You Might Choose Each Trim
• Rogue S gives you core safety systems and value
• Rogue SV adds mid-tier convenience
• Rogue SL brings luxurious tech like Google built-in and better camera coverage
• Rogue Platinum takes comfort to the next level, with leather, moonroof, and hands-off highway driving
How It Compares in the Real World
If you want a smoother, more efficient ride, the Honda CR-V Hybrid is a top choice. It doesn’t feel as upscale inside unless you pay for higher trims. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is rugged and dependable, with excellent efficiency—but inside, it doesn’t match the Rogue Platinum’s polish.
Final Thoughts
For families and new drivers who prioritize comfort, convenience, and safety, the Rogue Platinum is a thoughtful choice. It looks sharp, feels premium, and checks the right boxes. But its performance feels muted, and in 2025, not offering a hybrid feels like a missed opportunity.
Bottom line: if Nissan wants to beat its competition, a Rogue Hybrid would make this vehicle a real standout. Until then, it’s cozy, safe, and smart—but not exciting.
