The 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport is a new mini crossover vehicle that slots between the Nissan Rogue and funky subcompact Nissan Juke in terms of size. Powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, we expect the 2017 Rogue Sport to be a popular pick for its pocket-size versatility.
The 2017 Rogue Sport will join Nissan's crossover lineup this year, slotting in between the subcompact Nissan Juke and the larger Nissan Rogue. The Rogue Sport is designed for those who find the Juke's interior accommodations too cramped, or are perhaps put off by its polarizing design, but also don't quite want or need something as big as the larger Rogue.
Even though they are based on the same fundamental chassis, the Rogue Sport is a foot shorter in length and 5.6 inches shorter in height than the Rogue. This makes the Rogue Sport more adept at navigating tight urban spaces, though it concedes a fair amount of rear passenger legroom and about 9 cubic feet of cargo space (22.9 cubic feet versus the Rogue's 32 cubes). Compared to the rest of subcompact crossover faction, the Rogue Sport is generous on cargo space but short on rear legroom.
The Rogue Sport comes powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four making 141 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque. The engine drives the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and is capable of distributing power to all four wheels if equipped with all-wheel drive. It rides on an independent suspension, front and rear, which helps the wheels maintain better contact with the ground and, according to Nissan, provides a sportier drive experience, according to Nissan.
After a redesign just last year, the Mitsubishi Outlander gets a few more updates for 2017. The previously optional 6.1-inch touchscreen and rearview camera are now standard. New optional features include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic high beams, a 360-degree camera system and a heated steering wheel. Mitsubishi has also eliminated its optional navigation system from the options list. Finally, all-wheel drive is now available on the base ES trim.
Pros Generous list of standard features Standard three-row seating.
Cons Slow acceleration with the base four-cylinder Some desirable features are available only on pricey and thirsty GT Limited Mitsubishi dealer network.
The 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander provides functional family appeal for a reasonable price, but the powertrains are weak, the third-row seat space is tiny, and the infotainment features are behind the times.
Pros Pleasant ride Available active safety features Third-row seat can be used in a pinch Advanced all-wheel-drive system available Quiet cabin
Cons V-6 model too expensive Bland, unassuming looks Infotainment behind the curve Tiny third row
The 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander ranks 17 out of 18 Compact SUVs. The 2017 Mitsubishi Outlander has a high-quality interior and confidence-inspiring safety scores. It's also one of few compact SUVs that comes with a third row of seats, but they're too small for adults. It all goes downhill from there: dull performance, a rough ride, a hard-to-use infotainment system, and subpar predicted reliability.
Pros Quiet cabin High-quality interior materials Standard third-row seating
Cons Poor reliability rating Underpowered engine Rough ride Few standard features
