Nissan Adds Baby Rogue Crossover in U.S.

Nissan Motor Co. is giving its Rogue compact crossover vehicle a smaller sibling in the U.S. this year with the Rogue Sport.

The new model essentially is a rebadged version of the second-generation Qashqai, which Nissan introduced in other markets two years ago. Sales in the U.S. are to begin this spring.

Built on Renault-Nissan’s common modular family front-wheel-drive architecture, the Rogue Sport's 104-inch wheelbase is two inches shorter than the Rogue. But more than a foot is taken off overall length, shrinking the Sport model to 172 inches. The Sport's height also is nearly six inches lower.

The five-passenger crossover loses a row of seats to the standard Rogue. Cargo space shrinks by about 17 cu ft with the second row seats up and 9 cu ft when they are folded down.

Power comes from a 2.0-liter 4-cyl. engine that makes 141 hp and 147 lb-ft of torque through a continuously variable transmission. The base Rogue’s new hybrid option won’t be available on the Sport model.

Standard tech features include hill-start assist, dynamic engine braking, active ride control and a brake-based torque vectoring system Nissan calls “trace control.” Topping the option list are blind spot warning, lane departure warning and assist, rear cross traffic alert and forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

Pricing hasn’t been announced. But Nissan says the new Rogue Sport will be competitive with other models in its class, such as the Honda HRV and Chevrolet Trax. The larger base model, which last year surpassed the Altima sedan to become Nissan’s top-selling vehicle in the U.S., starts at about $24,000.