“A whole new crossover,” is how Nissan describes the Rogue, but the implications of something groundbreaking and exciting are far from the truth. For starters, there’s Rogue’s styling, which is akin to a smaller version of the previous-generation Murano; there’s no new ground broken here. That doesn’t mean the Rogue isn’t handsome; on the contrary its long nose, rounded greenhouse and flowing liftgate work together to produce a harmonious design theme accentuated by a pronounced shoulder in the rear quarter panel. The problem is this has been done before, and in this size segment. The Rogue doesn’t stand out in the way expected of a Nissan.

The same goes for the Rogue’s interior, which also fails to break new ground. The steering wheel and gauge cluster appear as if they were copied directly from the lower priced Sentra on which the Rogue is based. That’s understandable, but the excessive use of hard plastics on the instrument panel detracts from what otherwise is a handsome, if bland, design. Add to that the high level of glare that develops from the top of the dash on the rare occasion we get sun in Michigan, the cheap feel of the climate control knobs and window switches, and you can see how the Rogue doesn’t quite live up to its billing as a “whole new” crossover. That’s especially true when you consider our as-driven tester’s nearly $25,000 price tag.

Surely the situation must improve elsewhere around the vehicle, right? Wrong. The Rogue’s powertrain is limited to one choice: a 2.5L 4-cyl. producing 170 hp mated to Nissan’s CVT transmission. Though an improvement over other applications of this transmission in the Nissan lineup, it still suffers from an incessant whine and excessive noise, not to mention the slight hesitation that appears in passing maneuvers. Even Saturn’s Vue, which weighs nearly 1,000lb. more than the Rogue, is more responsive in similar situations, but it ditched its CVT a generation ago.

On a more positive note, the Rogue does a pleasant job when it comes to ride and handling, although – as you expect from a small car-based soft roader – its off-road ability is marginal. However, since most owners are likely to remain firmly planted on concrete or asphalt, the Rogue is more than up to those tasks. On-road ride benefits from the Rogue’s long 105.9-in. wheelbase and a suspension that’s tuned to absorb the imperfections that develop from an aging and neglected national infrastructure. A word of caution: Oversized potholes can cause the Rogue to weave and bob excessively at high speeds, so keep your hands firmly on the wheel.

While it may be a commendable crossover worthy of consideration, Nissan’s Rogue fails to break through the clutter in a segment that’s getting increasingly crowded by each passing week. It just doesn’t go far enough.

Vehicle as Driven:

Engine: 2.5-liter 4-cylinder

Horsepower: 170 @ 6,000 rpm

Torque: 175 lb-ft @4,400 rpm

Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission, all-wheel-drive

Wheelbase: 105.9 in.

Overall length: 182.9 in.

Height: 66.3 in.

Width: 70.9 in.

Curb Weight: 3,460 lb.