Want a Nissan Rogue with modern safety features, good fuel economy, and enough room for your family without paying for luxury extras? The Nissan Rogue S is the entry-level trim, giving you the same 1.5-liter VC-Turbo engine found in the higher gasoline Rogue trims. With 201 horsepower, 225 lb-ft of torque, and available all-wheel drive, you don’t have to spend more to get additional engine power. Nissan keeps the starting price lower by offering cloth seats, a smaller touchscreen, and simpler convenience features. For commuters, small families, and buyers watching their budgets, the Rogue S delivers the essential equipment while leaving expensive upgrades to the SV, Dark Armor, and Platinum.
Before moving to a higher trim, take a look at what the Rogue S already includes. Nissan gives you a turbocharged engine, smartphone connectivity, and a collection of driver assistance features without requiring an expensive equipment package. Most upgrades found on higher trims focus on comfort, appearance, and convenience. If you don’t need a panoramic moonroof, premium leather seats, or a power liftgate, the S may already have everything you’re looking for.
Under the hood, the Rogue S uses Nissan’s 1.5-liter VC-Turbo three-cylinder engine. You might wonder whether three cylinders are enough for a compact SUV, especially when carrying passengers or merging onto a busy highway. With 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, the engine provides the same output as the higher gasoline Rogue trims. Its variable compression system adjusts how the engine compresses air and fuel to balance performance and fuel consumption. Power reaches the wheels through Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission, commonly called a CVT. Instead of shifting between fixed gears, it changes its operating ratio as you accelerate. Front-wheel drive is standard in the supplied U.S. specification, while all-wheel drive is available for drivers who regularly encounter snow, rain, or slippery roads.
| Specification | Nissan Rogue S |
|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5L VC-Turbo three-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 201 hp |
| Torque | 225 lb-ft |
| Transmission | Xtronic CVT |
| Standard drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| Available drivetrain | Intelligent All-Wheel Drive |
| FWD fuel economy | 29 city / 36 highway mpg |
| AWD fuel economy | 28 city / 35 highway mpg |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
Fuel economy is another reason buyers consider the S. Based on the supplied figures, the front-wheel-drive model achieves 29 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. All-wheel drive reduces those figures slightly to 28 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. If you spend most of your time on clear, paved roads, FWD offers the better fuel economy of the two. AWD can provide additional traction when accelerating on slippery surfaces, although it doesn’t shorten braking distances. Drivers facing regular winter conditions should still consider a suitable set of winter tires.
Climbing into the Rogue S, you’ll notice that Nissan has kept the cabin simple without removing the comfort features needed for daily driving. Cloth upholstery covers the seats, the climate controls are straightforward, and the dashboard places the main touchscreen within easy reach. You won’t find the premium leather or decorative finishes offered in the Platinum, but the S still provides seating for five and enough room for regular family trips. If you’re driving to work, taking children to school, or spending a few hours on the highway, the interior gives you the space and basic equipment you need.
From the outside, the Rogue S keeps the familiar Nissan Rogue design without adding expensive appearance packages. Its 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, and body-color mirrors give it a clean look suitable for a family SUV. You won’t see the gloss-black accents associated with the Dark Armor or the larger wheels offered on some higher trims. One advantage of the smaller wheels is the additional tire sidewall, which can help soften the impact of rough pavement. Replacement tires may also cost less, depending on the brand and size.
If you’re coming from an older vehicle, the Rogue S’s technology should feel familiar without being complicated. You get an 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth, and a rearview camera. Those features cover common tasks such as playing music, using phone navigation, and checking behind the vehicle when reversing. Higher Rogue trims offer larger displays and additional convenience technology, but you don’t need those upgrades just to connect your phone or listen to music during a commute.
Safety is one area where choosing the Rogue S doesn’t mean giving up Nissan’s main driver assistance package. Safety Shield 360 is included in the supplied equipment list, bringing together systems that monitor nearby traffic and warn you about possible collisions. Some features can apply the brakes when the system detects a hazard. Others help when changing lanes, reversing, or driving at night. These systems provide extra assistance, but they cannot prevent every accident. You still need to check your mirrors, watch the road, and maintain a safe following distance.
Need enough room for groceries, luggage, or a stroller without buying a larger SUV? The Rogue S offers 36.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row using the supplied measurements. That lets you keep all five seats available while carrying everyday items. When you need more room, folding the rear seats expands the cargo area to approximately 74.1 cubic feet. The wide-opening rear doors also make it easier to reach the back seat, which is useful when installing a child safety seat or helping younger passengers get settled. For larger purchases, remember to measure the cargo opening as well as the item you’re carrying.
| Cargo specification | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Cargo space behind second row | 36.5 cu ft |
| Cargo space with second row folded | 74.1 cu ft |
| Passenger capacity | 5 |
| Rear seats | Folding second row |
| Cargo access | Manual liftgate |
These measurements give the Rogue S enough flexibility for commuting, family shopping, and weekend trips. You can leave the rear seats upright when carrying passengers or fold them when transporting longer items. The manual liftgate is less convenient than a power-operated hatch when your hands are full, but it still provides access to the same general cargo area.
Buying a Rogue S in the United States and Canada can involve different equipment, prices, and fuel economy labels. American specifications normally list fuel consumption in miles per gallon, while Canadian specifications use liters per 100 kilometers. Cold-weather equipment may also be packaged differently between the two markets. For example, heated seats or a heated steering wheel may appear earlier in a Canadian trim lineup, depending on the model year. Before comparing prices, check the equipment included in each country’s version so you’re comparing vehicles with similar features.
| Category | United States | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Currency | USD | CAD |
| Fuel economy | MPG | L/100 km |
| Cold-weather equipment | Depends on trim and packages | May be included earlier in the lineup |
| Safety information | NHTSA and IIHS | Transport Canada and IIHS |
| Drivetrain | FWD standard, AWD available in supplied specification | Confirm model-year availability |
| Standard equipment | U.S. specification | Canadian specification |
Canadian and American prices shouldn’t be compared using currency conversion alone. Destination charges, taxes, regional equipment, and available packages can change the final purchase cost. For the exact vehicle you’re researching, consult the appropriate Nissan specification sheet and pricing information.
Keeping the purchase price lower is one of the Rogue S’s main advantages. According to the supplied pricing range, the U.S. model starts around $29,090 and reaches approximately $30,490, depending on the configuration represented. Canadian pricing is described as generally falling in the mid-$30,000 CAD range. These amounts are reference figures, not confirmed current transaction prices. Before making a buying decision, check the model-year MSRP, destination charges, available equipment, and local taxes.
| Market | Supplied price estimate |
|---|---|
| United States | $29,090–$30,490 USD |
| Canada | Mid-$30,000 CAD range |
If you’re comparing the S with the SV, calculate how much more the SV costs with the equipment you actually want. Heated seats, a power liftgate, or other comfort upgrades may justify the difference for some buyers. If you don’t need those features, choosing the S can leave more room in your budget for insurance, maintenance, and other ownership expenses.
Choosing the Rogue S makes sense when you want the vehicle’s main engine, safety features, and interior space without paying for premium equipment. You won’t get every comfort upgrade, but you still have a compact SUV suitable for commuting, shopping, and family travel. Before deciding, think about the features you’ll use every week. If you regularly need heated seats, additional driver assistance, or a power liftgate, compare the SV. If those upgrades aren’t important to you, the S may be the better fit.
After comparing the equipment, the Nissan Rogue S stands out for offering the same gasoline engine output as higher conventional Rogue trims at a lower starting price. You get 201 horsepower, available AWD, standard driver assistance technology, and useful cargo space. The trade-offs are mostly found inside the cabin and in convenience equipment. There’s no premium leather interior, panoramic moonroof, or power liftgate in the supplied S specification. For buyers who want a compact SUV without unnecessary upgrades, the S covers the essentials while keeping the purchase price below the higher trims.
| Category | Nissan Rogue S |
|---|---|
| Trim position | Entry-level |
| Engine | 1.5L VC-Turbo, 201 hp |
| Transmission | Xtronic CVT |
| Drivetrain | FWD / available AWD |
| Fuel economy | Up to 29 city / 36 highway mpg (FWD supplied figures) |
| Seating | Cloth |
| Infotainment | 8-inch touchscreen |
| Safety | Nissan Safety Shield 360 |
| Cargo capacity | Up to 74.1 cu ft with rear seats folded |
| Main limitations | Basic cabin materials, manual liftgate, no panoramic moonroof |
| Best suited for | Commuters, small families, budget-conscious buyers |
When comparing the Rogue S with other Nissan Rogue trims, start with the equipment included at the lowest price. Its engine, transmission, and basic safety features provide the foundation of the lineup. Moving to another trim generally adds comfort, styling, or technology instead of additional horsepower. The table below summarizes the S’s position so you can compare it with the SV, Dark Armor, and Platinum pages.
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Key Features | Interior Level | Safety Level | Supplied U.S. Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rogue S | 1.5L VC-Turbo | FWD / AWD | Safety Shield 360, 8-inch touchscreen, smartphone connectivity | Cloth | Standard Safety Shield 360 | Approximately $29k–$30k |
If you’re considering the Rogue S, it’s worth reviewing more than its standard equipment. Engine design, maintenance requirements, and long-term ownership costs can help you decide whether this SUV suits your budget. Comparing the S with higher trims can also show whether their added features are worth the extra purchase price.
This platform analyzes depreciation trends, resale value behavior, and long-term ownership costs, helping drivers understand how mileage, maintenance, and timing shape real financial outcomes.