The new Rogue tackles new roads
After a significant refresh last year, Nissan has already introduced a new off-roading package for the Rogue small SUV. Dubbed the Rogue Rock Creek, this version directly competes with other bite-sized off-roaders like the Bronco Sport and Jeep Compass. We spent a week with it, and while the SUV certainly has a lot to like, no vehicle is perfect.
Reason to love it #1: Comfortable and usable cabin
The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek, like the 2025 Nissan Altima we reviewed, also touts very comfortable front seats. Here they also receive the cool red contrast stitching, as well as unique “Rock Creek” badging. The seats are power-adjustable, heated and even offer memory settings, but above all they’re just plain easy to live with. Recommended reading: 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek Drive: Above All, Be Comfortable Driver or passenger fatigue is simply not a factor with the 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek, and we sure appreciated the comfy seats on bumbling work-it-off-road excursions. There’s also a huge centre console that swallows phones, drinks and anything else you might want to stash while you’re on the move. The cubbies sprinkled throughout the cabin render the Rogue Rock Creek doubly proficient as a knick-knack-and-supply hauler.
Reason to love it #2: Good proportions
Outfitted for the great outdoors, the 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek makes a host of changes versus more pedestrian flavors of the SUV, each of which helps turn an inoffensive SUV into something delightfully unorthodox. The spit and blacked-out grille design adds a much-needed dose of attitude, and the chunky rubber and six-spoke wheels lend the SUV a more aggressive shape. And even if the little orange highlights pockmarking the Rogue Rock Creek are a bit much for you, you’ve got to admit the Truck is anything but anonymous.
Reason to love it #3: Peaky turbo power delivery
The Rogue is not a dynamically inclined vehicle, and we’ll touch on that one more time shortly. Its 201-hp, 225-lb-ft turbo 1.5-liter three-pot. Peak torque’s at a pretty low 2,800 to 4,000 rpm, and peak horsepower doesn’t arrive until 5,600 rpm, or 400 rpm from redline. Elevate torque shows up late but works tirelessly around town, just in time for on-ramps. When the power does eventually arrive, it’s immediately apparent and provides a modicum of drama to an otherwise dull drive.
Reason to love it #4: Willing to venture off-road
Truth is, we weren’t really beating on the 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek off-road. We did, however, tackle some trails that could have stymied lesser SUVs, including stretches of highway soft dirt and mud. The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek handled it all like a champ, not shy at all about digging itself out of the softer stuff. With all the nannies off, it even did a convincing rally car impression in the faster bits.
Final thoughts
Sure, ride height being equal, there are more obvious choices, the Bronco Sport for one, but the 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek is a grand alternative. Put its powertrain aside, and it’s a flexible and mostly comfortable way to get around town and a pretty decent way to venture into out-of-town territory, as well. We can recommend it when you keep the configurations in check,