2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek Review: Lacks Agility but Nails Practicality

Yahoo

26-03-2025

Just like Ford, Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, and nearly any other automaker you can think of, Nissan has a special off-road version of their small-to-midsize SUV, the Rogue. Dubbed the Nissan Rogue Rock Creek, it comes outfitted with unique cosmetic details and some off-road equipment. But how does it compare to leaders in the segment, and is the extra aesthetic worth the substantial upcharge?
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What do you get when you step up to the rowdiest Rogue? It's a lot, but it better be, since the Rogue Rock Creek starts at $35,420, almost $5,000 more than the next-highest trim, the Rogue SV. Beefier 235/65 all-terrain tires wrap 17-inch alloy wheels, both of which are exclusive to the Rock Creek. The Rock Creek also gets a more powerful camera system and Hill Descent Control. A roof rack and 12-volt outlet in the cargo area round out the practical additions. Rock Creek-badged seats, a handful of red accents dotting the exterior, and a unique front grille are the final flourishes for Nissan's Rogue Rock Creek. For reference, the Rock Creek starts at around $2,000 more than the Hyundai Tucson XRT and around the same as a Ford Bronco Sport Outer Banks.
The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek clearly wants to be driven off the beaten path, so that's exactly where we took it. We steered clear of the rougher stuff, since the Rock Creek doesn't come equipped with additional skid plates or underside protection. The Rogue handled the trails we did hit great; its comfortable seats keep you snug even over long periods of driving and crashy sections of the trail. Even through short areas filled with sand, the Rogue Rock Creek had no qualms. The Rogue also has good cargo space that's, more importantly, well-utilized and squared-off for easy stuff-stacking. The seats fold quickly and nearly flat, too.
Like most other Nissans, the 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek touts a simplistic screen layout that's bare bones, but not bad to use. The 8.0-inch center touchscreen offers wired Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and the screen in between the gauges is easy to navigate. Must-haves like keyless entry and a power liftgate are included, and the Rock Creek gets four USB ports. Fuel economy over our nearly 300-mile adventure was 25.4 mpg—which sounds low but is a combined representation of an hour or so of slow off-roading, aggressive canyon driving, highway cruising at 80 mph, and rush-hour traffic. Overall, it's an SUV that's really easy to live with. Like with many Nissan products, overall fit and finish is good, and the surfaces you touch the most feel just fine.
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Despite what could be construed as an enthusiast-focused design, the 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek's powertrain and dynamics leave a bit to be desired. Under the hood is a buzzy, turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine making 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. The continuously-variable transmission (CVT) sends power to all four wheels via standard all-wheel drive. The peaky turbo delivery is kind of fun at wide-open throttle, and around town the powertrain does its job, but it feels overworked most of the time. The knobbier all-terrain tires sap fuel economy and cornering grip. It's also important to note that despite the tires, the suspension hasn't been touched from the regular Rogue—so the ride isn't what we'd classify as 'optimized' for off-road or on-road.
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The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek is far from the most dynamic vehicle we've ever driven, but it's delightfully balanced in other respects. If your ambitions rarely bring you off the dirt path—but have—the Rogue Rock Creek will work. It's got a little bit more personality than more obvious on-road choices like the CR-V, too, in both aesthetics and driving character. I wish the Rock Creek had a better powertrain and some additional underbody protection. Other than that, no notes. Nice work, Nissan.