Nissan Rogue vs Rogue Sport

There are two versions of the Nissan Rogue: the Rogue and the Rogue Sport, and although the names are almost the same, these vehicles themselves are quite different. The Rogue is a bit larger, with an overall length of 184.4 inches, which gives it more interior space. But the Sport’s smaller 172.2 inches lends a tad better mobility and ease of parking, especially in urban areas. While both of these vehicles are part of the crossover segment and have the option of including all-wheel drive, they each have unique appeal. Which one is the right one depends entirely on each driver’s personal preferences.

View New Rogue & Rogue Sport Inventory

How Are They Different?

The only real physical difference between these two vehicles is their size. Stylistically, they look very similar, but one is fun-sized while the other is a bigger bite. The Sport does well in hustle-and-bustle environments because it maneuvers well, yet it doesn’t sacrifice much interior room for your stuff, as it provides a generous 61.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats folded down. If you think about it, that’s rather large for a compact crossover. The Rogue, on the other hand, allows for 70 cu. ft. with the second row folded down.

Aside from their physical differentiators, there’s the pricing: the Sport’s starting MSRP is slightly lower at $22,340 than the Rogue’s base price of $25,020. The Rogue does have an advantage when it comes to its power output and fuel economy, though. Its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine makes 170 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and the vehicle is EPA rated for up to 26 city/33 highway mpg. In contrast, the smaller Sport’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 141 hp and 147 lb.-ft. of torque and gets as much as 25 city/32 highway mpg. If you can brush off a power edge and accept slightly lower fuel economy in favor of affordability and agility, then the Rogue Sport is for you.

Which Rogue is Better?

Once again, it’s all up to personal preference. Both of these SUVs are high quality and budget-friendly, but each caters to a slightly different lifestyle, too. If you’re living in the city, don’t require too much power output, and are on a tighter budget, then test-drive the Rogue Sport first. Of course, the flip side of that is if you have more to carry, don’t mind spending a bit more, and are looking for something with slightly more power, then the Rogue might please you more than its little sibling would.

Both vehicles are available in the same trim levels – S, SV, and SL – but the Rogue is made in a hybrid version, unlike the Rogue Sport. While the two offer most of the same equipment, access to certain features is different, as they each have their own optional packages and their respective trims’ standard equipment varies slightly. So, in the end you can get a similarly equipped vehicle, but you’ll have to consider size, price, and power before you sign on the line.