The Nissan Rogue is the Japanese brand’s best-selling vehicle in the USA, and one of the best-selling SUVs across the country. With nearly 100,000 cars sold this year so far (according to data from caranddriver.com) it’s safe to say that the Rogue is a popular vehicle in the US.
One of the reasons for the Rogue’s popularity is the range of options and trim levels you can select. A few generations ago, the idea of different trim levels was exclusively for luxury vehicles, but in the current market almost every manufacturer offers you a range of options. This can be great for us as customers, with more choice always a good thing.
The problem with all that extra choice is confusion. Almost every car on the market has multiple trim levels, mostly with names that don’t tell you anything about the features. This is the case with the Rogue, and with five trim levels on the current model, as buyers, we need some clarity.
With that in mind, here at TheWeeklyAutos, we wanted to help find the right Nissan Rogue for you. In this article, we’ll talk you through the features of each trim level, and the cost differences, so you can decide which Rogue to buy.
Let’s get started!
What Are The Different Trim Levels On The Nissan Rogue?
To start, let’s talk about the features you get in each trim level. From the basic level (the Rogue S) to the premium trim (the Rogue Platinum) there are a wide variety of features added as you move up the levels.
The table below shows you what is included at each trim level for the Rogue:
| Features | Rogue S | Rogue SV | Rogue Midnight Edition | Rogue SL | Rogue Platinum |
| LED headlights | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| LED daytime running lights | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Rear privacy glass | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| USB-C charging port | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Apple CarPlay | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Android Auto | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| 8” touchscreen display | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Driver Assist Display | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Electronically adjustable front seat | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Lumbar Support | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Heated side mirrors | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Side mirror turn signals | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| SiriusXM 6-month trial | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Upgraded 18” wheels | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Dual-zone climate control | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Remote engine start | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| ProPILOT Assist | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Leatherette Seats | Y | ||||
| Leather steering wheel | Y | ||||
| Black contrast side mirrors | Y | ||||
| Black front grille | Y | ||||
| Black rear diffuser | Y | ||||
| Panoramic Moonroof | Y | ||||
| Roof rails | Y | Y | Y | ||
| All round view monitor | Y | Y | |||
| Auto-dimming rearview mirror | Y | Y | |||
| Heated steering wheel | Y | Y | |||
| Front seat memory functions | Y | Y | |||
| Heated front seats | Y | Y | |||
| Upgraded 19” wheels | Y | Y | |||
| Leather seats | Y | ||||
| Upgraded ProPILOT Assist with Navi-Link | Y | ||||
| Wireless phone charger | Y | ||||
| Alexa compatibility | Y | ||||
| Sonar system | Y | ||||
| Traffic sign recognition | Y | ||||
| 9” touchscreen display | Y | ||||
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Y | ||||
| Bose audio system | Y | ||||
| Quilted leather seats | Y |
There are plenty of features included with each trim level, and we’ll be covering some of these features in more detail in future articles. We wanted to explain some of the most significant differences between Rogue trims, so below we’ve summarised what each trim level involves:
Rogue S Features
The Rogue S trim is the entry-level model, although this version still comes with plenty of features. The best features on this trim level have to be the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto function, although these require a wired connection via your device. Still, there are plenty of models where this functionality is an optional extra, so it’s great to see it included on the basic spec.
Nissan has also included full LED headlights and running lights, which do make a difference when you compare it to the previous generation Rogue. These are combined with Nissan’s ‘intelligent headlights’, designed to automatically turn on or off in certain conditions. They aren’t the best auto-headlights I’ve ever used, but they work well enough.
The downsides of this trim level have to be the 17-inch wheels. The Rogue was clearly designed with 18-19 inch alloys, and it shows with these smaller wheels. Some owners won’t mind, and you can always buy aftermarket alloys, but the options on the higher trim levels are definitely better.
Rogue SV Features
Next up, the Rogue SV trim upgrades your wheels to 18 inches and adds some connectivity features. The upgraded wheels are the standout here, and compared to the disappointing 17” option on the S trim, these 18” wheels look great.
The seat upgrades on the SV are a bonus too, with lumbar support and electronic adjustments. These might seem like minor changes, but on long journeys, you’ll be happy you have the extra support. SiriusXM compatibility is welcome too.
Styling is still a letdown on the SV trim level, compared to later trims. The 18-inch wheels help, but apart from that feature, it’s difficult to distinguish the SV from a Rogue S, and I think Nissan could do more to upgrade the styling here.
Rogue Midnight Edition Features
The Midnight Edition of the Rogue is almost exclusively focused on styling upgrades, both inside and outside the car. The black detailing on the wheels, bumpers, and front grille make this model stand out, and with certain paint colors, this is a great-looking car.
Inside the Rogue Midnight Edition, you get leatherette seats and a leather steering wheel. Both these features make the cabin feel significantly more premium, alongside the panoramic moonroof option. The Midnight Edition feels like a huge step up from the Rogue SV, and for owners not concerned with tech upgrades, this is the trim level to go for.
I don’t have many complaints about the Midnight Edition trim. It lacks some of the more impressive features from the SL and Platinum specs, but it’s a great step up from the S and SV trims.
Rogue SL Features
The Rogue SL trim comes with a number of tech and comfort upgrades, over the SV trim. Our pick of the features on the SL are the heated front seats and the all-around view monitor. This 360-degree sensor gives you a birds-eye view of your vehicle, helping you to check your surroundings quickly. It’s a solid feature, and although not 100% reliable, the all-around view is incredibly helpful in tight parking situations.
A few of the features present on the SL are somewhat basic, but still useful to have. The heated steering wheel is a feature I’ve always questioned on any new car, but their popularity seems to be catching on, so Nissan has included one in the SL trim. You also have auto-dimming mirrors and memory seats, two basic features that are great to have.
If I had to pick a downside to this trim level, the 19-inch wheels do spoil the ride quality slightly. They look fantastic, but there is a difference in comfort between these wheels and the 18-inch you get as standard on the SV trim. You can choose the 18-inch wheels on your SL trim, so it’s completely up to you. If you’re unsure, take a test drive in both trim levels to compare.
Rogue Platinum Features
Finally, we have the Platinum trim. This represents the top of the range for the Rogue and comes with a host of features in addition to everything from the SL trim. Personally, the Bose Soundsystem is the standout feature here. The standard speakers in the Rogue are ok, but this upgraded setup makes a huge difference. The sound quality is a feature I always focus on when looking at new cars, and I’ve heard nothing but good things from owners about the Bose quality in the Platinum trim.
Alongside the upgraded Soundsystem, the larger 9” touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay are great additions too. The standard display is still one of the better examples in the mid-range SUV class, but this extended screen definitely has a more premium feel. Controlling this screen through the dials is still not as smooth as I would like though, and relying on the touchscreen when driving is difficult.
Sitting at the top of the range, there isn’t a lot to dislike on the Platinum trim. I could run through features from rivals that I would like to see on the Rogue, but this may turn into a lengthy article. Two features I want to mention are found in the global equivalent to this model, the Qashqai. The current Qashqai has options for cooled and massage seats, two features you can’t spec on the Rogue. I’m unsure why this is the case, but it would be good to see those features transferred to the US market.
How Much Does Each Trim Level Cost?
Now that we’ve looked at the features included with each trim level in the Rogue, you will want to know how much it costs to specify each trim. Below is a quick summary of the current cost differences between the Rogue S, and each trim level:
- Rogue S: Base Price
- Rogue SV: + $1,690
- Rogue Midnight edition: + $5,885
- Rogue SL: + $6,350
- Rogue Platinum: + $9,780
As you can see, there’s a fairly large cost gap between the lowest and highest specs on the Rogue, which is expected when you compare the features.
Which Rogue Trim Level Should I Choose?
That is a difficult question, but I’ll start by explaining my choice. The Bose Soundsystem would draw me towards the Platinum version, but I think the features on the Rogue SL are solid, with a reasonable price tag. I would consider 18-inch wheels too, but having 19”s isn’t a deal breaker for me.
For most owners, I think the SV or SL will be the best compromise on quality, technology, and price. It will be interesting to see how the Platinum sells, and what use values look like after a few years on this trim. Overall, I think there’s a suitable range of features at every level to suit some owners.
We hope that this article helped you to understand the trim levels in the Nissan Rogue, and what trim is right for you. To find out more about buying an SUV, or other vehicles, check out the links below:
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