You Can Still Buy a New Nissan Rogue Sport Model if You’re so Inclined
Nissan announced in 2022 the Rogue Sport subcompact SUV was being axed from the automaker’s U.S. lineup. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t buy a new one. The Rogue Sport is still available for sale at select locations until Nissan runs out of them. So, what is the Rouge Sport, its history, why it’s been discontinued stateside, and is it any good?
The Nissan Rouge Sport: The smaller Rogue alternative
The Nissan Rogue Sport was introduced to the U.S. market in 2017 as a smaller, more affordable version of the automaker’s popular compact Rogue SUV. Despite the “sport” designation, the Rogue Sport doesn’t include extra pep or handling prowess; it’s simply more maneuverable, given its smaller footprint. Additionally, it’s only known as the Rogue Sport in the U.S.
In other parts of the world, the first generation of the Rogue Sport, as we know it, was dubbed the Dualis in Japan and other markets. In 2014, the second-generation Dualis became the Nissan Qashqai (pronounced KASH-kay). According to a Nissan executive quoted in a Car and Driver article, the Rouge Sport moniker was chosen for the U.S. market to capitalize on the sales success of the Rouge. As such, the Rogue Sport could create a quasi-lineup of the popular compact SUV.
The Rogue Sport was the subcompact alternative to its bigger brother when it debuted. It was a whole foot shorter than the Rogue and similarly sized to the subcompact Juke. Later, the Juke was replaced by the Kicks subcompact crossover.
The introduction of the Kicks is perhaps the most notable reason why the Rogue Sport was discontinued. Despite many similarities on the spec sheet, the 2022 Rogue Sport’s starting price was nearly $5,000 more than the $21,285 Kicks, making it a far more appealing entry-level SUV option.
The Rogue Sport, or more accurately, the Qashqai, continues to be sold in other markets, including the U.K. and China, where the third-generation model is manufactured. In fact, the Nissan Qashqai was the top-selling new car of 2022 in the U.K.
However, you can actually still buy a semi-new Rogue Sport here in the United States.
The 2022 Rogue Sport is still available for purchase
Nissan is continuing to sell the Rogue Sport until all available inventory is sold out.
The 2022 model, its final year in the U.S., is available in three trims — S, SV, and SL — with MSRPs ranging from $26,255 to $30,885. All models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 141 horsepower and 147 lb-ft of torque with a continuously variable transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive available on all models, though, of course, that’s now strictly decided on what inventory is still available.
Base “S” models are moderately equipped with creature comforts like cloth upholstery, a 7-inch touchscreen, and a manually adjustable driver’s seat, but a long list of safety features is standard. These include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning with steer assist, rear automatic braking, and forward/reverse automatic braking.
Upgrading to the SV adds keyless entry, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, an upgraded audio system, and other creature comforts. The range-topping SL includes leather upholstery, navigation, 19-inch allow wheels, adaptive cruise control, a driver attention warning, and a surround-view camera.
Reviews of the 2022 Nissan Rogue Sport
The 2022 Nissan Rogue Sport may have left the market for slagging sales, and its mediocre reviews certainly didn’t help.
Edmunds commends the Rogue Sport for its long list of standard safety features and accommodating cabin. However, the review criticizes the model as “one of the slowest vehicles in its class” and for its harsh ride around town.
U.S. News had many of the same praises for the Rogue Sport’s standard safety features and large cargo area. Still, it noted the model has a “weak engine, noisy transmission, pinched rear seats, and middling cabin materials.” However, the publication differed from Edmunds in commending the Nissan’s ride quality.
Car and Driver also took issue with the Rogue Sport’s powertrain and lamented its outdated tech but commended the model’s relaxed road demeanor, cargo accommodations, and fuel economy.
