Styling Size-Up: 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport vs. the Competition

After several years competing in the subcompact crossover segment with the funky-styled Nissan Juke, the Japanese automaker has just introduced the more conventionally styled all-new 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport. With the compact Nissan Rogue growing to accommodate an optional third-row bench, the new Rogue Sport is a two-row-only crossover that straddles the subcompact and compact crossover segments. How does the new Rogue Sport’s styling compare to that of its closest competitors?

Like other entrants in the subcompact crossover segment, but unlike the Juke, the Rogue Sport’s styling represents a shrunken version of its automaker’s current styling language. Here is a look at the new Rogue Sport compared to the Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, and Toyota C-HR.

Up front, the Nissan Rogue Sport features the automaker’s signature “V-Motion” grille insert flanked by a pair of projector headlights with LED daytime running lights. The lower fascia has a large central intake with outboard-mounted round foglights and a blacked out lower piece below the opening. In comparison, the Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-3 feature large front grilles with smaller lower intake openings, while the Toyota C-HR has a slim upper grille and smaller lower intake.

The Rogue Sport rides on a 2.3-inch shorter wheelbase and is 12.1 inches shorter overall than the standard Rogue. Along the side, the Rogue Sport features a swooping roofline and beltline that kicks up over the rear wheels above the taillights. Only the Toyota has pronounced fender bulges, though all have visible plastic fender trim to help reinforce their crossover identities.

Around back, the Rogue Sport gets the automaker’s signature boomerang-shaped rear LED taillights. While the Mazda CX-3 and Toyota C-HR have blacked out D-pillars for a “floating roof” look, that feature is absent from the Rogue Sport even though it is used on other Nissan products such as the Murano crossover and Maxima sedan.

With the Rogue Sport being as wide as the standard Rogue, it also shares its dashboard, steering wheel, and seats, which makes its styling rather conservative compared to the Juke with its magic button display or the CX-3 with its floating infotainment screen.

How do you think the styling of the new 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport compares to its closest competitors? Besides these models, there’s also the Chevrolet Trax, Jeep Renegade, Fiat 500X, and Subaru Crosstrek to consider. How does the ‘tweener Rogue Sport stack up? Share your thoughts below.

Last week, we looked at the refreshed 2018 Acura TLX sedan, which got a surprisingly high number of negative comments. Hidekel Peralta thought, “That over-sized grille is ridiculous.” Ryan Wiatrowski wasn’t impressed either saying, “Revolting. Acura’s design language is really poor lately.” And Nathan Yount said, “Acura needs to fire its designers even the NSX is somewhat of a failure.”

Not all comments were bad. Michael Anderson said that it “looks surprisingly good in A-Spec trim,” while Ryan Lewis said that the TLX is “way bolder looking than the last design. Much better.”

 

 

 

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