The Nissan Rogue has emerged as one of the most popular sport utility vehicles in the United States. With comfortable seating for up to five people, generous cargo space, advanced safety features, and excellent fuel efficiency ratings, the Rogue offers an outstanding value.  

Given that the Rogue comes in two configurations — the standard Rogue and the Rogue Sport — you may wonder which is the better vehicle. That depends on your driving style, your family’s needs, and your budget. To help you make this important choice, our team has put together a Nissan Rogue versus Rogue Sport buying guide, focusing on the similarities and differences between the car for the 2021 model year.

Basic Configurations

The 2021 Nissan Rogue is a two-row, five-passenger crossover SUV that’s designed to be just big enough for everything you want to do. The Rogue comes in four trim levels, which are the Nissan Rogue S, Nissan Rogue SL, Nissan Rogue SV, and Nissan Rogue Platinum. Each of the four trim levels is available either in front-wheel drive or with Nissan’s intelligent all-wheel drive.

The Nissan Rogue Sport is a more compact alternative to the Rogue, though it also comfortably seats five passengers across two rows. The 2021 trim levels are almost the same: the Rogue Sport S, Rogue Sport SL, and Rogue Sport SV. There is no Platinum edition for the Rogue Sport.

Engine

The biggest difference between the Rogue and Rogue Sport exists in engine output. The 2021 Nissan Rogue operates on a 2.5-liter dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) 16-valve inline four-cylinder engine with direct injection that produces 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, along with 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. 

The 2021 Rogue Sport’s engine is smaller and slightly less powerful. It runs on a 2.0 liter DOHC four-cylinder inline engine that produces 141 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque. The engine is also direct injection and offers continuously variable timing control.

Performance

Nissan’s Rogue line has steadily captured fuel efficiency over the years. The 2021 Rogue is no different, and you will see it reflected in your gas budget. The EPA gave the all-wheel-drive 2021 Nissan Rogue S and Rogue SV a combined city/highway rating of 29 mpg, while the Rogue SL all-wheel drive was just behind at 28 mpg. The front-wheel-drive Rogue S registered a combined rating of 30 mpg, and the Rogue SV and Rogue SL ran just slightly behind at 29 mpg.

The 2021 Rogue Sport trim in an all-wheel-drive configuration produced a combined 27 mpg in EPA tests. The front-wheel-drive trim for the Rogue Sport registered one mile more at 28 mpg. 

Connected Technologies 

If there is such a thing as an Internet of Cars, the Nissan Rogue would be part of it. The Rogue Sport models include a collection of display screens for multiple purposes, including a full-color 10.8-inch head-up display of vehicle status information, a 12.3-inch digital dashboard gauge cluster, and a 9.0-inch touch-screen infotainment display. 

Nissan Rogue also emphasizes the ability to connect without cords. The cars offer wireless phone charging and wireless connectivity to Apple CarPlay, which allows drivers to connect their iPhone to the in-car display, whether it’s in their pocket, bag, or purse.

The 2021 Rogue Sport is similarly tooled with the latest technologies, both to connect with the outside world and to make driving more pleasant. All models include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility for easy smartphone integration, feeding into a NissanConnect 7.0-inch color touch-screen display. The Rogue Sport also includes some other technologies that highlight practicality. For instance, the cars include the innovative Nissan Rear Door Alert system, while some models include ProPILOT Assist, which is hands-on driving assistance technology that eases driver workload to help with acceleration, steering, and braking. 

Interior

The redesigned interior of the 2021 Nissan Rogue may be the headline feature. Nissan built the interior to provide what it describes as a “family hub” for the ultimate in roominess and comfort. For example, the rear seats offer NASA-inspired “Zero Gravity” low-fatigue spinal support seats that recline, along with heated seats. The Rogue also offers zoned climate control to keep the temperature at your liking no matter where you sit. Another family-driven feature — the Rogue offers a front center console with a unique butterfly design that makes it easier to pass items back to the second row.  

The Rogue Sport interior offers its own interior comfort features. Two of the trims offer an eight-way adjustable power driver’s seat with lumbar support The four-way manually adjustable front passenger seat is standard across the line. The second row provides for a 60/40 seating split, which allows you to configure the space as needed for passengers and cargo. Depending on the trim, you will be sitting on either cloth, premium cloth, or leather-appointed seats. Cargo capacities range from 53 cubic feet to 61 cubic feet with rear seats folded down.

Find Your Next Car at New Jersey State Auto Used Cars

You can’t go wrong with either the Nissan Rogue or the Nissan Rogue Sport. But if you want to consider other options, then New Jersey State Auto Used Cars has you covered. Located in Jersey City, New Jersey, we are one of the largest used car dealers serving northern New Jersey and the New York City area. Our inventory includes cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs of all makes and models, including Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Jeep, BMW, Mercedes, Nissan, and more. You will also be able to choose a luxury model from the likes of Audi, Acura, BMW, Infiniti, and Mercedes-Benz. You can search by manufacturer or by the particular features you are interested in, such as third-row seating, all-wheel drive, heated seats, and beyond. 

You can pay cash or finance your purchase. Our finance staff has relationships with major lenders and can work with you to get the monthly payment that works for your budget. We’ll also make a fair offer for your trade-in. Stop in, call us, or contact us online. We’d love to work with you!