There’s an all-new Nissan Rogue around the corner
and this is the first time we’ve been able to see it on public roads. The next-generation Rogue has
been spotted undergoing testing in the United States and it’s plain to see that
Nissan wants to keep its design a secret for the time being. Still, the shape
of the compact SUV is not revolutionary.
Compared to the current model launched for
the 2014 model year, the all-new Rogue appears boxier and more solid, with that
impression reinforced by the fact that it’s a slightly larger vehicle. Just
look at the third lateral window which is way bigger than on the current model.
It makes sense for Nissan to increase the size of
the Rogue in order to differentiate it further from the Rogue Sport. In doing
so, the cabin should become roomier as well, especially for third-row passengers. Looking closer at the front end
it becomes pretty clear that the 2021 Nissan Rogue will adopt a separate
headlight / driving light setup, with the DRLs placed lower from the main
headlight. It’s an arrangement also seen on rivals such as the Hyundai Santa Fe
and Chevrolet Blazer but let’s not forget that Nissan was one of the first
brands to make the split headlights a thing with the first-generation Juke.
At the rear, the horizontal taillights appear
narrower than on the current Rogue and the camouflage on the rear window can’t
hide the fact that designers went for a “floating roof” look considering the
shape of the rear pillars. There’s certainly a sportier vibe to this new Rogue
and the chunky roof spoiler attests that.
For now, it's not clear whether the Rogue will gain
a new powertrain or will continue to offer the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine
hooked to a CVT. One thing is certain, though: the safety tech update will be
significant. Expect the all-new Rogue to debut sometime next year as a 2021 model.
