Latest news with #RogueRockCreek
Newsweek
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Cheap Is the New Black: Lower Cost Cars, SUVs, Trucks Grab Attention
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The $20,000 price tag of new electric vehicle brand Slate's first model, after incentives, took social media by storm following its debut late last month. The unveiling didn't start a revolution, it amplified a conversation that has been quietly ongoing for years: New, budget-friendly cars, trucks and SUVs are desirable. A decade ago, low price points weren't always matched with reasonable quality product. The cheapest models on the market were usually from Hyundai and Kia, and heavy on basic functionality and low on nice appointments and technology. Today, the tables have turned. Entry-level models from those brands are nearly as well appointed as those in the middle of the product lineup. "Reaching a specific price point can be made easier by simply reducing content, but Kia's artistry is in providing a high and relevant level of features at very competitive price points. That is a core strength of the Kia brand," Steve Center, chief operating officer and executive vice president of Kia America, told Newsweek. "The new K4 sedan is a perfect example. As one of the few new vehicles in America with a starting price under $22,000, K4 sales have increased every month in a clear sign that value and substance matter the most." Price-conscious Americans are getting lower-cost options in the SUV market. In April, Nissan announced manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) decreases across its Rogue product line. The two-row SUV now starts at $28,590, a reduction of $640. The all-wheel drive version of the Rogue Rock Creek saw the biggest cut, with Nissan knocking $1,930 off the sticker, making its MSRP $33,490. The three-row Pathfinder SUV saw similar decreases, with its base MSRP now sitting at $36,400. It tops out at $50,640. Pricing changes for Rogue and Pathfinder ensure that the vehicles are cost-friendly options versus the competition from Toyota and Honda, among others. Vinay Shahani, senior vice president, U.S. marketing and sales, Nissan Americas, told Newsweek: "Nissan holds a unique position in the industry. Not only do we offer six vehicles at a starting price of under $30,000—spanning sedans, SUVs and EVs—but, in a market where vehicle prices have increased, we've recently further reduced the price of our best-selling model, Rogue. Whether a first-time buyer or someone simply seeking greater affordability, we can meet consumer needs without compromising on quality, safety, advanced technology or value." The six Nissan models that start under $30,000 include the Altima, Sentra and Versa sedans, Leaf electric car and Kicks and Rogue SUVs. The $30,000 price point is a sweet spot for American buyers. "The average price of a used vehicle sold at a franchised dealer in April 2025 was $29,307, up $241 (0.8 percent) year-over-year and up $6,781 (30 percent) compared to 2020, before the supply shortage. However, used prices in April have declined $1,961 (-6.3 percent) from the 2022 peak, when supply constraints were most severe," Tony Salerno, senior vice president at J.D. Power, told Newsweek. "For customers, lower price point new models offer peace of mind—particularly because of a warranty. While Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles are a viable substitute, many buyers still prefer a new vehicle with lease and financing options," he said. A considerable number of used vehicles do not come with the advanced safety technologies that new models are equipped with. Other vehicles under $30,000 include the Kia Sportage, Chevrolet Trax, Buick Envista, Toyota Corolla Cross, Hyundai Venue, Kia Soul, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Hyundai Tucson, Buick Encore GX, Kia Niro, Hyundai Kona, Toyota RAV4, Kia Seltos, Jeep Compass and Chevrolet Equinox SUVs. Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Fe trucks are similarly priced, as are Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5 and Toyota Prius cars.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek Review: Lacks Agility but Nails Practicality
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? View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article 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. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article 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. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article 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.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek: 4 Reasons to Love It, 2 Reasons to Think Twice
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. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Just like the 2025 Nissan Altima we reviewed, the 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek touts extremely comfortable front seats. Here, they also get the cool red contrast stitching, in addition to unique "Rock Creek" badging. The seats are power-adjustable, heated, and even have a memory function, but above all, they're supremely easy to live with. Driver or passenger fatigue simply isn't a concern with the 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek, and we certainly appreciated the comfortable seats on bumpier off-road adventures. The cabin also touts a generous center console that swallows phones, drinks, and anything else you might want to store on your travels. The cubbies dotting the cabin make the Rogue Rock Creek doubly capable of a knick-knack and supply hauler. The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek separates itself from more pedestrian versions of the SUV in a number of ways, and they all help transform the SUV from inoffensive to pleasantly unorthodox. The simplified and blacked-out grille design adds some needed attitude, and the chunky tires and six-spoke wheels give the vehicle a more squared-off look. Even if the little orange highlights pockmarking the vehicle are a bit much for you, you've got to admit the Rogue Rock Creek is anything but anonymous. The Rogue is not a dynamic vehicle, and we'll talk a little bit more about that later. Its turbocharged 1.5-liter three-pot makes 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. Peak torque occurs between 2,800 and 4,000 rpm, and peak horsepower doesn't happen until 5,600 rpm or 400 rpm from redline. Around town, peak torque arrives with some delay but certainly not late, and it's perfect for on-ramps. When the power finally arrives, it's immediately noticeable and adds a fraction of drama to an otherwise bland drive. To be honest, we didn't push the 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek to its absolute limits while exploring off-road. We did, however, hit some trails that might have troubled lesser SUVs, including sections of soft dirt and mud. The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek took it all like a champ and had no qualms about digging itself out of the softer stuff. With all the nannies disabled, it did a convincing rally car impression through the quicker sections, too. Unfortunately, whether on or off the beaten path, the 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek didn't feel as composed as a variety of other rigs I've had the pleasure of piloting. On the trails, my 2006 GX is worlds more refined, and, perhaps more relevant, the Subaru Outback I tested late last year was noticeably more comfortable. The latter is also far more compliant on pavement, too. The cozy seats help alleviate any true complaints of discomfort, but we still wish the SUV rode just a tad softer. The all-terrain tires fitted to the Rogue Rock Creek trade off-road readiness for the last ounce of dynamism the Rogue might've had. Sadly, it simply isn't very much fun to drive on your favorite twisty road. In the rare event you've tricked the vehicle into delivering enough power to overwhelm the chassis, you'll find only an endless reservoir of understeer. The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek is a compelling alternative to the more obvious choices, like the Bronco Sport. Its powertrain aside, it's a versatile and mostly comfortable way to get around town and a fairly good way to get far out of town, too. It's worthy of consideration, especially at a price that stays just shy of $40,000, just don't expect it to be the best jack of all trades on the market.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I drove a Nissan Rogue 'Rock Creek.' The $10,000 upgrade gets you rugged looks — but it's not a true off-roader.
The Nissan Rogue Rock Creek is a new, off-road-focused version of the brand's popular compact SUV. I was impressed by the Rogue Rock Creek's peppy engine, comfortable cabin, and fun off-road looks. I was disappointed by the lack of skid plates and powertrain to back up the rugged looks. The Rogue compact SUV has been Nissan's best-selling model in the US over the past decade. I drove a well-equipped Nissan Rogue SL last year and was impressed by its peppy performance, comfortable cabin, and good fuel economy. This year, Nissan introduced a new off-road-focused variant called the Rogue Rock Creek, comparable to Toyota's RAV4 Woodland Edition and Subaru's Forester Wilderness. It's the second Nissan model to receive the Rock Creek treatment, following the larger, midsize Pathfinder Rock Creek. Even though it doesn't quite have the off-road hardware and beefed-up drivetrain to back up the rugged looks, the Rogue Rock Creek remains a capable compact crossover. I recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek. The base front-wheel-drive 2025 Rogue S starts at $29,230, while the fully-loaded all-wheel-drive Rogue Platinum starts at $40,920. The middle-level Rock Creek trim starts at $35,420, but premium paint, luxury options, and freight fees push the as-tested price to $38,025. The Rock Creek edition comes with special styling that sets the trim apart. The Rock Creek trim comes with a black front grille with Lava Red accents and triple air vents that evoke Nissan's rugged Hardbody pickup trucks of the late 1980s and 1990s. The Rock Creek also includes special extras like 17-inch all-terrain tires and a heavy-duty roof rack. Frustratingly, the Rock Creek edition has the same 8.2 inches of ground clearance as all other Rogues. It's also missing the underbody skid plates needed for rough terrain, like those found on Nissan's off-roading-focused PRO4X trim Frontier pickup. Unlike the Pathfinder Rock Creek, which received a brawnier V6, the Rogue Rock Creek is powered by the same 3-cylinder engine found across all trims. Nissan's KR15DDT turbocharged variable compression engine produces a solid 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. The gutsy three-cylinder engine also emits a surprisingly robust sound. The three-cylinder engine is equipped with Nissan's unique variable compression technology, which can vary the compression ratio for hard acceleration or more efficient operation while cruising. The transmision remains the weak point in the Rogue's drivetrain and doesn't fully exploit the punchy turbocharged engine's performance. The transmission feels inconsistent, and its artificial shift points feel a bit rubbery. My test car boasted EPA fuel economy figures of 27 miles-per-gallon city, 32 highway, and 29 combined. The Rock Creek, with its bulky all-terrain tires, gets two miles per gallon less than other all-wheel-drive Rogues. The Rock Creek is the only trim that comes standard with all-wheel-drive. My test car came with the same five different drive modes (Eco, Snow, Sport, and Off-road) as all AWD-equipped Rogues. However, the Rock Creek edition is the only trim to get Hill Descent Control, which helps maintain traction down steep slopes. The Rogue delivers peppy performance with a soft, comfortable ride. Just like the Rogue SL I drove a few months ago, the Rock Creek delivers a friendly and pleasant driving experience. The chunky all-terrain tires have not hindered the Rogue's on-road performance or contributed to any appreciable road noise. In fact, its more substantial sidewalls contribute to a softer, more comfortable ride. The Rogue's turbocharged engine produces strong power throughout the rev range, and it remains remarkably quiet and smooth even under the strain of hard acceleration. The Rock Creek's cabin is attractive and logically designed The cabin's ergonomics and build quality are excellent. All of the controls and buttons are intuitively placed, making button hunting minimal. There are also plenty of storage nooks and a variety of USB, 12V, and wireless charging options. Atop the center console is a small eight-inch infotainment touchscreen. Higher trim models get a sleek 12.3-inch unit. The NissanConnect infotainment system is pretty simple and easy to use but feels dated. Fortunately, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard. My test car came standard with a 360-degree camera system. Exclusive to the Rock Creek trim is a special Off-Road View feature that gives the driver a visual of what's immediately in front of and on the side of the vehicle, allowing for more precise tire placement when off-roading. My test car's front seats came with attractive lava red accent stitching and badging. The seats, which are upholstered in black leatherette and waterproof nylon, were incredibly comfortable. The Rogue's second-row split-folding bench seat offers plenty of room for two adults or a fairly cramped experience for three. Its 38.5 inches of legroom is on par for the segment. Open the motion-activated rear liftgate, and you'll find 31.6 cubic feet of cargo space. Fold down the rear seat to expand cargo capacity to 74.1 cubic feet, smaller than competitors like the Hyundai Tucson and Honda CR-V The Rock Creek comes standard with Nissan ProPilot Assist, which includes intelligent adaptive cruise control and steering assist. Range-topping models can opt for ProPilot Assist 2.1, which allows for hands-free driving in limited situations, like single-lane highway driving. It worked well on straight roads. My verdict: See past the rugged styling, and you'll find a thoroughly sensible and capable compact SUV. Despite the rugged styling, the Nissan Rogue Rock Creek is not a true off-roader, thanks to its funky transmission and the lack of skid plates to prevent damage to the underbody. Thus, it's neither a pavement princess nor a rock-crawling beast. It lives somewhere in the middle. Perhaps as a helpful tool for the weekend adventurer who needs to drive on dirt roads to reach a campsite. The reality is that most Rogue Rock Creeks will never leave the pavement and will be destined to spend their lives shuttling about suburbia. And that's OK because, at its core, the Rogue is an excellent compact crossover with a peppy performance, good fuel economy, and a comfortable cabin. Read the original article on Business Insider
