2010 Nissan Rogue - Styling Review

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A rakish design, with gently arced roofline and a more aggressive tuck downward in back give the Rogue more of a ‘lifted’ station wagon appearance than is the case for most crossovers.

With proportions that make it appear wider and longer than it actually is from the outside, few would guess that the Rogue is actually based on the compact Sentra sedan. Cues from the larger Murano give it a hint of upscale, but with smaller wheels and more benign-looking fender flares, the Rogue is clearly the more affordable of the two. Automobile Magazine says the Rogue is the “somewhat dorky younger sibling” of the Murano. Most reviews consulted by TheCarConnection.com think that being a “mini-Murano” works in the Rogue’s favor. Edmunds calls it a “stylish little crossover,” while Car and Driver proclaims it “good-looking.” Cars.com doesn't warm up to the design, though, declaring it a “hackneyed design” and deems its styling “bland.”

Inside, the five-passenger Rogue gets a chunky interior design that borrows a bit from all of Nissan’s cars and crossovers. There's little dissent on the attractiveness of its design. “The interior is one of the Rogue's highpoints,” Cars.com declares. “It's almost up to the level of the Honda CR-V, and that's saying a lot,” notes Cars.com, commenting on the amber interior lighting and easily read gauges. ConsumerGuide says that the “gauges are clear, large, and well laid out,” and thinks that the “faux metal plastic trim” is “stylish rather than tacky.” Kelley Blue Book concurs, calling the interior “simple yet effective, with most of the necessary controls within easy reach of the driver.”