2019 Nissan Rogue Sport Review: Your Guide to This Compact Crossover

Are you navigating the crowded market of compact SUVs, searching for a vehicle that balances urban agility with practical versatility? It's a common dilemma, isn't it? You want something that's easy to park and maneuver in the city, yet spacious enough for your weekend adventures or daily errands. Look no further! This comprehensive 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport review will cut through the noise, providing you with all the essential details to help you decide if this compact crossover is the right fit for your lifestyle.

In this article, we'll dive deep into the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport's performance, interior comfort, technology, safety features, and overall value, giving you a clear picture of what to expect.

What is the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport?

The 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport slots neatly into Nissan's SUV lineup, positioned as the smaller, more nimble sibling to the popular Nissan Rogue. It's designed for drivers who appreciate the elevated seating position and cargo flexibility of an SUV but prefer a more compact footprint for city driving and easier parking. Think of it as a "right-sized" option for individuals or small families.

For 2019, Nissan made some notable updates to the Rogue Sport, including making the 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across all trims. They also introduced a suite of driver-assistance features, including the optional ProPilot Assist, and a standard rear-door alert system.

Performance and Driving Experience

When it comes to the "Sport" in its name, it's more about its position in the Nissan lineup (smaller than the Rogue) than its athletic prowess on twisty roads.

Engine and Transmission

Under the hood, every 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport comes equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 141 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque. This engine is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). While this powertrain is generally considered "peppy around town," it tends to run out of breath when accelerating to highway speeds and isn't rated for towing. Some reviewers note that the acceleration isn't stunning, which is a common complaint in this class of mini-SUVs.

Ride and Handling

The 2019 Rogue Sport offers a comfortable and composed ride, soaking up bumps admirably. Its suspension is tuned to strike a balance between comfort and control, making it a good choice for daily commuting and urban environments. While it may not offer an exciting driving experience, its smaller size contributes to greater maneuverability, making it easy to navigate and park in congested areas.

Interior, Infotainment, and Cargo

Step inside the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport, and you'll find a cabin that is both spacious and well-designed, especially for a subcompact SUV.

Comfort and Design

The interior is described as "handsome and contemporary," with a grown-up styling that appeals to many. Passengers will find adequate space, and the elevated seating position provides a commanding view of the road, a feature some car-like rivals lack. Higher trim levels, such as the SL, can offer surprisingly luxurious appointments with bountiful padding and comfortable seats.

Technology and Infotainment

As mentioned, a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality became standard across all 2019 Rogue Sport models. This is a significant upgrade, allowing seamless smartphone integration. An optional nine-speaker Bose audio system is also available. NissanConnect technology, including voice controls and available Door-to-Door Navigation, further enhances the driving experience.

Cargo Space and Utility

Despite its "Sport" moniker and smaller size compared to the regular Rogue, the 2019 Rogue Sport offers commendable cargo capacity. It provides 22.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which expands to 61.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This makes it one of the more spacious extra-small crossover SUVs in its class, offering plenty of room for groceries, luggage, or gear.

Safety Features

Safety is a key consideration for any vehicle, and the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport comes equipped with a solid array of features, especially as you move up the trim levels.

Standard and Available Safety Technologies

For 2019, Nissan made several advanced driver-assistance features standard, even on base models. These include:

• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Blind Spot Warning (BSW)
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Rear Door Alert (reminds the driver to check the rear seat)

Higher trims (SV and SL) offer additional safety enhancements, such as:

• Pedestrian detection for the forward collision warning system
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
• Rear parking sensors with automatic braking
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Nissan's ProPILOT Assist (a semi-autonomous driving mode that combines adaptive cruise control and steering assist).

Crash Test Ratings

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a full 5-star rating for side crash protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the Rogue Sport "Good" in several crashworthiness tests, including the driver-side small overlap frontal and moderate overlap front tests.

Fuel Economy

Fuel efficiency is often a priority for compact SUV buyers, and the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport delivers competitive numbers for its class.

The EPA estimates for the front-wheel-drive (FWD) models are 25 mpg in the city, 32 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive (AWD) versions see a slight dip, with ratings of 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.

In real-world testing, an all-wheel-drive Rogue Sport even exceeded its EPA highway rating by 1 mpg, achieving 31 mpg.

Pros and Cons of the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport

To help you quickly weigh your options, here's a summary of the key advantages and disadvantages:

Pros:

• Standard Infotainment: The 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is standard across all trims.
• Good Fuel Economy: Offers competitive fuel efficiency for the subcompact SUV segment.
• Spacious and Well-Designed Cabin: Provides ample passenger space and a comfortable, grown-up interior design.
• Generous Cargo Space: Offers above-average cargo volume for its class, especially with the rear seats folded.
• Advanced Safety Features: Comes with a host of standard and available driver-assistance technologies, including automatic emergency braking and optional ProPilot Assist.
• Maneuverability: Its compact size makes it easy to handle and park in urban environments.

Cons:

• Lackluster Acceleration: The 141-hp engine and CVT can feel "lackadaisical" or "painfully slow" when accelerating, particularly at highway speeds.
• CVT Characteristics: Some drivers may find the continuously variable transmission's "syrupy" feel less engaging.
• Not Designed for Off-Roading: While AWD is available, it's primarily for foul weather and dirt roads, not tough off-road situations.
• Some Interior Amenities Cost Extra: Features like rear-seat charging ports are not standard.
• Higher Trim Prices: The cost of higher trims can approach that of the larger Nissan Rogue, which offers more overall utility.

Conclusion

The 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport presents itself as a compelling option for those seeking a practical, feature-rich, and maneuverable compact crossover. It excels in offering a comfortable ride, a well-appointed interior with standard smartphone integration, and a commendable suite of safety technologies. While its performance might not set your pulse racing, its fuel efficiency and urban agility make it a strong contender for daily commutes and light adventuring.

Is the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport the right compact SUV for you? If you prioritize ease of driving in congested areas, a comfortable cabin, and a strong emphasis on safety and technology over blistering acceleration, then the answer is likely yes.

What are your thoughts on the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport? Share your questions or experiences in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport a reliable car?

A1: Consumer Reports gave the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport a favorable reliability rating of 5 out of 5. However, some owners have reported issues with the automatic emergency braking system activating unexpectedly and, less commonly, issues related to the CVT transmission, which is a known concern for some Nissan models.

Q2: What is the difference between the Nissan Rogue and the Nissan Rogue Sport?

A2: The 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport is roughly a foot shorter than the larger Nissan Rogue and has a shorter wheelbase, which contributes to greater maneuverability but slightly less passenger and cargo room. The Rogue Sport is designed to be a more compact and agile option for city driving, while the standard Rogue offers more overall space and utility.

Q3: Does the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

A3: Yes, for the 2019 model year, a 7.0-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality became standard across all trims of the Nissan Rogue Sport.

Q4: What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport?

A4: The 2019 Nissan Rogue Sport FWD models are rated at 25 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. AWD models are rated at 24 mpg city, 30 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined.