In this video, we look at the all-new Nissan Rogue. It’s been greatly improved to add more space, a smaller footprint, and better ergonomics overall. We have a couple of “not so great” points, but overall, this is a very well-executed crossover from Nissan.
See Aaron’s interview-style review with Kristin about the new Rogue: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxrU8NxsZhI
In this episode, Kristin asks Aaron about the all-new, fully redesigned Rogue and what he thinks of it. Aaron talks about the Nissan Rogue and how it changed the game before and continues to change things for the better now. This is Nissan’s best-selling vehicle and they definitely had to bring an A-game to it.
Watch for Aaron’s full review of the Rogue coming soon.
In this episode, we talk about the new turbocharged engine found in the Mazda3 sedan and hatchback as well as the CX-30. Both labeled “Turbo” models to designate their engine choice, these vehicles greatly benefit from the added power and low-end torque given by the turbocharged addition. Here’s our thoughts on both.
For a full review of the Mazda3 Turbo: https://drivemodeshow.com/2021/03/03/the-2021-mazda3-bring-on-the-turbo/
For a full review of the CX-30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZYdjmo76gs
Talking semi-autonomous safety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60s7_sa45gY
Aaron loses all objectivity in this review of the 2021 Durango SRT Hellcat. It’s pure awesomeness and probably the greatest family vehicle ever designed, up there with the Pontiac GTO Wagon and other hallmarks of muscle car multi-seaters.
Kristin talks about the Durango SRT from Dodge and its mixture of awesome family hauling, interior comfort, and monstrous power. She towed a trailer with this rig and more. Check it out!
In this episode, Kristin and Aaron talk about the traditional crossover-SUVs in the Toyota lineup. Namely the Highlander and the RAV4, especially in the new hybrid variants. Toyota has done a lot to improve these family haulers and we discuss what’s changed, how the electrification has gone with the RAV4 Hybrid, RAV4 Prime, and the Highlander Hybrid, and more.
Join us for this look at Toyota family machines.
In this video, Aaron looks at the 2020 Santa Fe and talks about what bothers him about this mostly perfect hit into the family crossover ballpark. Best known for its right-sized design, the new-generation Santa Fe brings a lot of added tech and smart ergonomics as new additions.
Crossovers are everywhere these days, and with good reason. Remember the story of Goldilocks? There are full-size SUVs with lots of seating and lots of room like a too-hot bowl of porridge. Then there are sedans with less of everything making them the too-cold porridge. Crossovers are the just-right choice in the middle. The challenge is that there are so darn many it can be hard to choose.
The 2021 Nissan Rogue wants to be your just-right bowl of porridge, so Nissan added plenty of features to give it appeal. Did it manage to add enough milk and honey to make the Rogue the perfect porridge?
Well, perfection is a tall order, especially since what’s perfect for me isn’t perfect for you or perfect for your neighbor. Everyone has their own specific needs when it comes time to buy a car, so Nissan expanded the Rogue lineup, added new tech features, and improved the Rogue’s ride and powertrain to make it a better fit no matter your priorities.
The all-new 2021 Nissan Rogue shows off a fresh new look that makes it more modern. There’s a new headlight design alongside the signature Nissan V-motion grille and the Rogue shrinks a bit coming in 1.5-inches shorter than the outgoing model. It’s lower, too, which helps it handle better. You might not immediately see or feel these small changes, but together they create a better looking and better-handling crossover.
The interior of the Rogue still features Nissan Zero Gravity seats, and this makes us happy. It sounds like marketing mumbo jumbo, but these seats are fantastic. Driving the Roque over the holidays, we had the opportunity to take it on a couple of longer trips that had us in the car for hours at a time. The seats never got stiff or uncomfortable, which makes the Rogue a great choice for families with road trips in their futures.
In addition to its comfortable and roomy interior, the Rogue has numerous safety features to set your mind at ease, including standard Nissan Safety Shield 360. This bundles a bunch of safety features together including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking, which are all but sure to save you from a fender bender or two.
Nissan’s ProPilot Assist technology, which isn’t technically self-driving but instead gives the driver an assist with steering and adaptive cruise control, gets a series of improvements. It brakes more smoothly and adjusts steering more consistently, especially if a car cuts you off in congested traffic. The big news, however, is the availability of ProPilot Assist with Navi-link on select trims. Using navigation data, this adjusts your speed in advance of highway off-ramps or tight curves for a smoother ride.
And of course, there’s plenty of connected tech, too. An 8-inch touchscreen is standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with both USB and USB-C ports up front. As you move through the trim lineup, you get goodies including a 10-speaker Bose audio system, two rear USB chargers, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, and Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity.
Choose from four trims, including the new upscale Platinum, with a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. All are powered by a 181-horsepower 4-cylinder engine with a continuously variable automatic transmission that is noticeably quieter than the outgoing Rogue. Even under hard acceleration, you won’t be bothered by the sounds under the hood intruding into the passenger compartment.
And of course, the new Rogue still has the same flexibility as the prior Rogue for managing people or cargo depending on your priorities of the moment. Seating for five easily reconfigures with a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat. There’s up to 36.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats or 74.1 cubic feet behind the front seats and the Rogue can even tow up to 1,350 pounds should your needs be greater.
The 2021 Nissan Rogue gets the updates it needs to stay relevant in a crowded segment. Advanced safety technologies, a comfortable and attractive interior, and good cargo capacity give it the versatility and functionality crossover buyers crave. Pricing from $25,650 to $36,830 makes sure it’s also a crossover that families can afford.
The 2021 Nissan Rogue lets you have your crossover porridge and eat it, too.
In this episode, Kristin and Aaron talk about friends who are looking to replace their Ford Flex models. On Kristin’s side, her friend still needs a family vehicle and wants to keep the versatility of a crossover, but has some specific requirements that we discuss. On Aaron’s side, his friend is downsizing vehicles and looking to go into the luxury realm for a replacement. Got questions? Ask us! Leave a comment below, find us on Facebook, Twitter, etc., or hit up our website and let us know your thoughts.
In this review, Aaron shows off the 2021 Chevy Trailblazer in its RS package. In about five minutes, you’ll find out what the Trailblazer is all about, some of its best features, and how it competes in this new and fast-growing compact segment of crossover-SUVs. Check it out!