Versatile cargo area
When looking at the Rogue, you'll notice that the rear cargo area is limited by the roof's sloping line. In order to make up for the lost space, Nissan engineers incorporated an efficient folding mechanism for the rear split seatback. Moreover, on certain models, the front passenger seat also folds flat, allowing owners to fit 8-foot long 2x4s inside the Rogue. SL models even feature a nifty, under-floor compartment with divider to hide your precious belongings. When I tested the Rogue, the automaker had yet to announce the official cargo capacity of the vehicle.

Total cargo room should be decent despite the rear door's closing angle.

Behind the wheel
The easy-to-grip steering wheel is a welcomed surprise. Everything is intuitively placed for the driver. Finding a good driving position is actually quite simple thanks to straightforward settings. In city driving, the Rogue easily treads its way. On byroads, it delivers firm and solid handling, so much so that it can rival sporty cars -- unlike the majority of competitors. On the highway, I comfortably cruised at 112 kph and few wind noises were heard. The Rogue will ridicule other compact SUVs with its outstanding ride and passenger comfort, especially those sitting in the back. In this segment, automakers usually favor the driver and neglect the other occupants -- not Nissan. Backed by a multi-link suspension and rebound-free shock absorbers, the Rogue efficiently soaks up road anomalies before they enter the cabin. I'm very much looking forward to driving this vehicle on Quebec roads, but so far, I'm impressed.
 
I personally don't like CVTs; however, the new-generation Xtronic pleasantly surprised me with its smoothness and efficiency. Accelerations are swift even though you're not pulled back into your seat. With the manual mode, I was able to exit corners with more authority. In the city, meanwhile, I preferred to let the transmission do all the work. The performance figures are as follows:

• 0-100 kph acceleration : 9.5 seconds
• 80-120 kph acceleration : 8.5 seconds
• 100-0 kph braking : 3.0 seconds (41 meters)
  

As mentioned earlier, the biggest drawback of this vehicle is the lack of rearward visibility, especially in the three-quarter angle. Designers sacrificed visibility for a sleeker look. Nissan is not the only guilty company, but it remains a problem for sure. You have to be extremely cautious when backing up with the Rogue. Just the same, look twice before getting back in your original lane after passing a vehicle. A back-up sensor or a rearview camera would make up for this shortcoming, but in this segment, you can forget about it.

The wide C-pillars affect three-quarter visibility.