Nissan says 2014 Rogue is more efficient

[September 11, 2013]  FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (AP) -- Nissan Motor Co. says its revamped Rogue SUV will be cheaper and more fuel-efficient than its rivals when it goes on sale in the U.S. in November.

Nissan unveiled the 2014 Rogue Tuesday at its North American technical center near Detroit. The Rogue's European counterpart, the X-Train, was revealed at the same time at the Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany. The X-Train goes on sale early next year.

The Rogue, which is Nissan's second best-selling vehicle in the U.S. after the Altima sedan, was last redesigned in 2008. It was badly in need of an upgrade after newer models from Honda, Ford and others went on sale. The small SUV segment is one of the fastest growing in the U.S., with sales up 60 percent since 2009.

Nissan says the new Rogue will get an estimated 33 miles per gallon on the highway, a 20 percent increase over the outgoing model. That beats its rivals in the highly competitive small SUV segment, including the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4.

The new Rogue has a sleeker, more aerodynamic look on the outside and an upgraded interior, including seats that were specially developed to reduce fatigue and stress. It also has some new features, including LED headlights, a larger five-inch dashboard screen, optional third-row seats and a cargo area with adjustable shelves.

"This new Rogue puts Nissan at the head of the pack," said Scott Shirley, Nissan's chief marketing manager in the U.S.

The U.S. version of the Rogue still has its old 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, which has less power than the CR-V, but it's paired with an upgraded transmission for better fuel economy. Nissan said it will reveal the X-Train's engine and transmission lineup later. Both vehicles are built on a new platform shared with Nissan's partner, French automaker Renault SA.

In the U.S., the Rogue will start at $22,490, or $455 less than the CR-V and $210 less than the Escape. The U.S. version will be built in Smyrna, Tenn.

[Associated Press; By DEE-ANN DURBIN]

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