I Drove the 2025 Nissan Rogue Platinum AWD and Didn’t Expect This One Feeling to Stick With Me

You don’t buy a compact SUV like the 2025 Nissan Rogue to turn heads at the track or flex horsepower at the next stoplight. You buy it because you’re tired of road noise, tired of cheap plastic, and tired of compromise. And that’s exactly where the new Rogue quietly rises above the crowd. It may not sprint like the Mazda CX-50 or carve corners like a Volkswagen Tiguan, but it brings something else to the table - an interior that feels one tier above what the badge might suggest, a ride that soaks up your weekday fatigue, and just enough power from its 201-horsepower turbo three-cylinder to keep things moving without making a fuss. It doesn’t shout, it doesn’t beg for attention, but spend five minutes inside and you’ll understand why so many drivers are going to find peace, and value right here.

My friend's wife has been driving a Nissan Rogue for many years. Now it's time for them to get a new car and the only car he says she wants is a new Rogue. This sentiment is echoed in a comment I saw on Reddit by a user named Akolbes1, which I am pasting below.

"I'm on my third Rogue. My daughter is on her second. We haven’t had any major issues other than the backup camera not working. Nissan fixed this issue with a software update. Is an unbelievable car for the money."

When I picked up the keys to the 2025 Nissan Rogue Platinum AWD, I expected the usual: solid Nissan craftsmanship, a quiet ride, a good suite of tech, and maybe even some of the premium flair that has slowly crept into the Rogue lineup over the years. But what I didn’t expect was to walk away from this test drive thinking less about 0 to 60 times or ground clearance, and more about how this Rogue made me feel.

There’s something about this car that plays in your head long after you park it.

Let me explain.

Not Trying to Be a Hero, Just Trying to Be Comfortable 

We’ve reached a point where many compact SUVs are trying a bit too hard. They want to look like adventure rigs. They want to convince you they can outrun a Porsche Macan or haul half a Home Depot on a Sunday afternoon. And in doing so, some lose sight of what real people actually want.

The 2025 Nissan Rogue doesn’t fall into that trap. It knows exactly what it is.

And the Platinum AWD trim I drove this week wears that identity with confidence.

For starters, this Rogue doesn’t shout at you with fake toughness. Sure, there’s now a new Rock Creek trim if you want a more rugged look, with off-road tires and a roof rack, but the Platinum is aimed squarely at people who want calm, class, and a refined daily experience. It's the kind of SUV that makes your commute easier, not more complicated.

The leather quilted seats? Genuinely upscale. The Google-based 12.3-inch infotainment system? Sharp, smooth, and surprisingly intuitive. The ride quality? More Lexus-lite than mainstream Nissan, if we’re being honest.

Rogue's Platinum Trim: Quiet Confidence in Motion 

So what do you get when you step up to the Platinum? Nearly everything.

From the semi-aniline quilted leather seats to the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and matching infotainment screen, you’re surrounded by tech and materials that could pass for a luxury vehicle in the $50,000 range. The Bose premium sound system was clean and well-balanced, and the panoramic moonroof added a lightness to the cabin that makes this SUV feel airier than most in its class.

And if you haven’t tried Nissan’s new Google-built-in software, this is the vehicle to do it in. It just works. I had real-time Google Maps directions running while playing Spotify, all displayed cleanly on the instrument panel or head-up display when needed.

But let’s not forget the quietness. This car knows how to keep the noise out. Tire roar is minimal, and engine noise is barely noticeable unless you really stomp the throttle.

And yet, speaking of that throttle...

The 2025 Nissan Roguge Has A Three-Cylinder Engine That’s Not Trying to Impress You, But Kinda Does Anyway 

Under the hood is a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, making 201 horsepower. Now I know what you’re thinking. A three-cylinder? In a 40-grand SUV?

I had the same thought.

But Nissan made a calculated bet here, and for everyday driving, the power delivery is smooth and sufficient. Paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Rogue doesn’t try to throw you back in your seat, but it doesn’t feel slow or overburdened either.

In stop-and-go traffic, the engine is quiet and unobtrusive. On the highway, it settles into a groove and hums along without any fuss. It’s not exciting, but that’s not the point. What’s impressive is how composed the powertrain feels—there’s no laggy weirdness, no excessive drone from the CVT, and no rough startup idle like you get with some competitors.

It gets the job done without reminding you it’s working.

That alone makes a strong case for people who are done with noisy 4-cylinder engines that always feel like they’re trying too hard.

But let’s say you’re not looking for quilted leather and polished tech. Let’s say your weekend plans involve muddy trails, rooftop kayaks, and gear bins instead of grocery bags. For those buyers, the 2025 Rogue lineup holds an unexpected twist. The new Rock Creek Edition adds an outdoorsy attitude with real functional upgrades like all-terrain tires, a tubular roof rack, hill descent control, and a smarter multi-angle camera setup. It is an unusual offering in a segment that often fakes the rugged look without backing it up.

MPG That Stays Respectable in the Real World 

The AWD Platinum Rogue is EPA-rated for 28 mpg city and 34 mpg highway. During my week of mixed driving in Charlotte and the surrounding suburbs, I averaged 30.4 mpg without trying to hypermile.

That’s a win. Especially in a segment where many AWD compact crossovers struggle to hit 28 combined.

And keep in mind, this is with a roomy interior, all-wheel drive, and a real sense of everyday comfort—not a stripped-down economy special.

Interior That’s a Class Above, No Exaggeration 

This is where the Rogue really overdelivers.

I’ve reviewed a number of compact SUVs this year, including the Mazda CX-50, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, and Toyota RAV4. Each has its strengths, but the Rogue’s cabin - especially in Platinum trim - honestly feels the most premium of them all.

The materials aren’t just nice, they’re thoughtfully arranged. The bi-level dash design makes it feel modern and uncluttered. The leather quality on the Platinum is genuinely luxurious, especially with the contrast quilting.

Storage is excellent, with deep door pockets, a clever center console that opens butterfly-style, and a spacious center cubby. There’s even a shelf under the dashboard that’s perfect for tossing sunglasses, keys, or a wallet.

The rear seats recline slightly and offer adult-friendly legroom. Behind them, the cargo space is competitive and well-shaped, with additional storage underneath the floor.

And let’s talk about the details. The head-up display is large and easy to read, and Nissan’s three-zone climate control in this trim lets rear passengers adjust their own temps. These are little touches, sure, but they add up.

Technology That’s Finally Smarter Than You’d Expect 

Let’s give credit where it’s due: Nissan’s tech has come a long way.

The 12.3-inch infotainment screen on the Platinum isn’t just big, it’s fast and sharp. The native Google integration means you have access to Google Assistant, Maps, and the Play Store. You can even control smart home devices from the car if that’s your thing.

It’s the kind of setup that makes most traditional infotainment systems feel clunky by comparison. Even wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, though I barely needed them with the built-in apps.

Add to that a wireless phone charger that actually charges (not all do), and you’ve got a tech suite that just works together.

Nissan also includes a 360-degree camera system with multiple viewing angles, which made tight parking in Uptown Charlotte stress-free.

ProPilot 2.1: Nissan’s Most Capable Semi-Autonomous System Yet 

One of the most unexpected highlights of the 2025 Nissan Rogue, especially in its top trims, is the ProPilot 2.1 hands-free driving system. At first glance, it might sound like one of those features that feels good on a brochure but rarely gets used in the real world. That was my assumption too, until I tested it in actual highway traffic. What happened next surprised me and shifted my entire view on what semi-autonomous driving should feel like. If you are even mildly skeptical or curious about how much trust you can place in a hands-free system, I strongly recommend reading my full hands-on experience with ProPilot 2.1 here.

On approved divided highways, ProPilot 2.1 allows hands-free operation while maintaining speed, distance, and lane position. I tested it on I-485 and it worked flawlessly, easing the strain of a long freeway stint without feeling jumpy or unreliable.

It won’t drive the car for you in town or on curvy roads, and it makes you pay attention with an eye-monitoring camera, but as far as highway helpers go, this is one of the better systems I’ve tried outside of GM’s Super Cruise and Ford’s BlueCruise.

Downsides? Yes, But They’re Not Dealbreakers 

No car is perfect, and the Rogue Platinum has its weak spots.

For one, the 3-cylinder engine won’t win drag races or enthusiast hearts. It’s tuned for efficiency and comfort, not excitement. If you regularly drive in mountainous areas or tow anything, you might want more power.

Also, while the CVT is much improved from Nissan’s earlier iterations, there’s still a slight rubber-banding feel under hard throttle. Nothing offensive, but noticeable if you’re coming from a traditional automatic.

Finally, with a price tag creeping over $40,000 for the Platinum AWD, some buyers might feel tempted to cross-shop entry-level luxury models. But if you compare features apples to apples, the Rogue still holds its value.

The New Nissan Roguge Is A Crossover That Gets It Right Where It Counts 

The 2025 Nissan Rogue Platinum AWD doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. It doesn’t posture. It doesn’t chase trends. It just quietly delivers a premium, well-thought-out experience for people who want comfort, technology, and real-world efficiency.

There’s no single thing that makes this SUV stand out. Instead, it’s the total package. The Rogue simply feels like it was designed by people who listened to actual drivers.

And that’s probably why, a few days after I returned the keys, I still found myself thinking about how good it felt to drive.

Have you driven the new 2025 Nissan Rogue yet? What do you think about automakers moving to three-cylinder engines in family SUVs? Let me know your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear your take.

Armen Hareyan is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.