Nissan Rouges are compact SUVs that many owners are proud to drive. These vehicles are perfect for people who don’t feel comfortable driving larger vehicles, but who want the convenience of AWD or even four-wheel drive.
Please note that outside the U.S., the Nissan Rogue is typically called the “Nissan X-Tral”.
Whether you currently own a Nissan Rogue or you’re considering purchasing one, you are likely to want to know everything there is to know about the engine, transmission, and more.
Here is an overview of nine Nissan Rogue engine sizes that are compared by year:
First Generation Nissan Rogues – 2008 – 2013
Nissan Rogue in 2008
The 2008 Nissan Rogue made its debut at the end of 2007, and many people immediately fell in love with it.
This early edition of the Nissan Rogue came equipped with a 2.5L engine, with four cylinders, and 170-horse power.
Some owners admitted that this particular engine was a bit subpar, as it became a bit “raspy” whenever revved up really high.
Some individuals who owned Nissan Rogues from this year stated that the engine wasn’t very reliable and that they began experiencing engine problems once their Rogues reached around 80,000 miles.
Some of the most common engine problems that owners experienced with the 2008 Rogue were engine cooling problems, blown head gaskets, and more. 2008 was considered to be one of the worst years for the Nissan Rogue.
Check here what problems to be aware off with older Nissan Rogue models.
Nissan Rogue 2010
Unfortunately, the 2010 Nissan Rogue continued to have some of the same engine problems as the 2008 model, despite manufacturers having two years to make some positive changes.
This particular model has the same 2.5 L, 170-horsepower engine. While there were no specific recalls regarding the engine for the 2010 Rogue, there were numerous problems, such as various electrical problems, the engine failing to cool properly, and more.
Like other first generation Nissan Rogue’s, the 2010 model has a towing capacity of 1102 pounds.
Nissan Rouge 2012
According to owners and expert reviewers, the 2012 Nissan Rogue has been reported to have undergone a definite improvement when compared to the previous year’s.
Not only were there fewer engine problems reported, but many felt that the overall functionality as well as the safety were much better for this year’s model.
Like previous years, the 2012 engine remains a 2.5L, 170-horsepower, but with a variety of improvements. So, if you’re trying to decide which year’s Nissan Rogue is the best, then you should definitely consider purchasing one from this lucky year.
The Nissan Rogue lasts a long time so you can often expect 200,000 miles on them – so the 2012 models are often still relevant!
Second Generation Nissan Rogues – 2014 – 2019
The second generation of the Nissan Rogue does offer 3rd-row seating on some models.
Nissan Rogue 2014
According to reviews, this particular year was another bad one for the Nissan Rogue. Actually, the problems started with the 2013 model, but the 2014 had no improvements. In fact, many owners felt that the 2014 model was actually worse.
There were a number of non-engine related recalls, and the 2014 Rogue was just overall a bad choice and lacked dependability. Not only did the 2014 Rogue come with a number of electrical recalls related to the engine, but owners reported that this 2.5L 170-horsepower engine also gave them other problems.
During this year, the Nissan Rogue experienced engine knocking, rattling, and whining, engine cooling issues, and a full list of other problems.
You should stay away from this year if you want a dependable Nissan Rogue to drive.
Nissan Rogue 2016
Like the other Nissan Rogue models, this particular model has the same 2.5L engine with 170-horsepower. Unfortunately, this model wasn’t a very dependable one, and again, it was deemed one of the worst years for this particular vehicle.
You can easily find a number of complaints regarding the 2016 Nissan Rogue, so if you are going to purchase one soon, then avoid this year.
However, if you already own a 2016 model, then you might want to sell it or trade it in, if possible.
The average mileage of the vehicle before engine problems ensue is about 32,688.
Some of the engine problems were so severe for the 2016 Rogue that the engines sometimes caught fire while being driven. The vehicle often stalls, the engine shakes whenever the A/C is on, and more.
Outside the U.S. the Rogue is often known as “Nissan X-Trail”.
Nissan Rogue 2018
If you haven’t yet purchased a Nissan Rogue, but you’re trying to determine which year is best, then you should definitely consider the 2018 Nissan Rogue.
The same 2.5L, 170-horsepower engine was present in this year’s SUV, but many great improvements have occurred.
In fact, there have been very few engine problems reported for this year’s Rogue, and if there were any reports, they were very minor as well as easily repaired problems. Second-generation Rogues continue to have a towing capacity of about 1102 pounds.
It’s also worth mentioning the cargo capacity of the Nissan Rogue models. You can see a full list of how much cargo space each Nissan Rogue has.
Third Generation Nissan Rogues – 2020 – present
Nissan Rogue 2020
The 2020 Nissan Rogue started the 3rd generation of this particular compact SUV. As a result, there were a massive number of overall improvements made, including many to the engine.
This made the 2020 Nissan Rogue a dependable and sought-after vehicle that rarely experienced engine problems.
So, if you’re seeking the Rogue from the best year, then the 2020 Nissan Rogue should be considered due to all it has to offer.
If you’re interested in using your 2020 Nissan Rogue to tow heavyweight items, then you can rest assured that it can tow up to 1102, just like with the previous two generations.
Nissan Rogue 2022
While many people dislike the fact that there are no other engine options for the 2022 Nissan Rogue, it’s been deemed another very good year for this particular vehicle.
Unlike the early and middle years of the Rogue, the engine, while not as powerful as many drivers might like, doesn’t have many reports of problems.
This particular model comes equipped with a different engine than in prior years.
This particular engine is the intercooled turbo regular unleaded I-3 1.5 L/91, which many owners feel is a definite improvement over the previous models.
The Nissan Rogue for this year (and all the others) is definitely not a Dodge Charger when it comes to a super fast engine and transmission, but it’s one of the most dependable in its class.
If your budget allows you to purchase a Rogue that is practically brand new, then you should definitely consider purchasing the 2022 version of this small but mighty SUV.
Nissan Rogue 2023
The latest model of the Nissan Rogue is the 2023, and it also comes equipped with an intercooled turbo regular unleaded I-3 1.5 L/91 engine, just like the prior year’s model. After a great year with this engine in the 2022, owners feel that it’s very likely that the latest Nissan Rogue’s engine will function just as favorably.
While many owners continue to make comments about the lack of power in the engine when it comes to accelerating, some do believe that it is somewhat more powerful than the Rogues from prior years.
The 2023 Nissan Rogue is actually too new to have begun experiencing mechanical problems, especially with the engine, but everyone who owns one is likely to remain very aware so that the first symptom of an engine problem will be easily spotted.
Engine problems can be serious at times, which is why it’s important to diagnose and repair them as quickly as possible.
What Nissan Rogue model has the strongest engine?
The 2022 and 2023 models of the Nissan Rogues have the strongest engines. The intercooled turbo 3-cylinder engine has a lot more torque than prior engines. Manufacturers wanted to upgrade the engine from the previous 2.5L choice that many owners believed to be inferior.
How big a boat can a Nissan Rogue tow?
As you’re probably already aware of, it’s imperative that you refrain from exceeding the weight limit of your SUV or truck when it comes to hauling or towing a heavy weight item.
If you’re interested in towing a boat with your Nissan Rogue, then you can safely tow one weighing up to 1300 pounds, depending on the specific model.
Be sure to verify this before towing a boat or any other heavyweight item.
How big a camper can a Nissan Rogue tow?
Your Nissan Rogue can only tow ultralight weight campers weighing under 2,400 pounds (and no more than 1102 pounds), so be sure to ensure that you don’t end up towing one that is any heavier, as it could result in dramatically accelerated wear on various aspects of your SUV.
You must choose a pop-up camper or one of the many other types of ultra-lightweight campers.
While the Nissan Rogue has always come equipped with a 2.5L 170-horsepower engine until very recently, there have been various improvements over the years.
This vehicle has definitely had its fair share of engine problems, but there are some years that are clearly better when it comes to engine performance than others.
Owners have always experienced problems with the engines of their Rogues, but since improvements have been made to them over the years, these engine mechanical failures have become less severe, and therefore, less costly to repair.
So, as long as you do your homework and make sure that you purchase a Nissan Rogue from one of its “good” years, you shouldn’t have to worry about experiencing many engine problems at all.
