The Nissan Rogue went through a thorough facelift for the 2021 model year, bringing Juke-like DNA and an impressive interior, but subpar performance. Its biggest flaw, and it was a very big flaw, was the underpowered 2.5-liter four-cylinder that delivered just 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. During our test drive of the Rogue, we found it to be a beautiful car inside and out, but it was sluggish and unrefined on the road, and that’s putting it nicely. Fortunately, Nissan heard everyone out and decided to remedy the situation for 2022 – by introducing a new three-cylinder engine. Does it sound underwhelming yet again? I can’t blame you for thinking that way but hear me out before you write it off completely.

The Nissan Rogue’s New Three-Cylinder Engine is a Huge Improvement

The new engine available in the 2022 Nissan Rogue is a 1.5-liter three-banger, and it’s miraculously tuned to deliver 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. These numbers account for an increase of 20 horsepower and 44 pound-feet, or about 11- and 24-percent, respectively. Nissan also claims that this new engine is much more efficient and increases fuel economy by 3 points to33 mpg compared to that for the 2021 model year.

The engine itself features Nissan's VC-Turbo technology that allows for different driving profiles depending on what you’re doing at the time. If you’re cruising on the highway, for example, the engine can relax to use less fuel, but if you’re really putting the hammer down, cam timing will change to give you a boost in power (and a drop in economy, of course). The engine itself also features a high-pressure fuel injection system, textured friction-reducing valve lifters, a die-cast cylinder head, and a stainless-steel mirror-bore cylinder wall coating.

The engine comes paired to Nissan’s new-gen Xtronic transmission. This transmission has been upgraded to work in a similar fashion as the VC-Turbo technology. There’s a new twin oil pump system that combines a small mechanical pump and a higher-pressure electric pump. When cruising requires slow shifting, the mechanical pump will do the job, but if you’re getting on it and the transmission needs to shift quickly (or make use of higher pressure to prevent slippage) the electrical pump will kick in. It also features a newly developed control valve system and a revised gear ratio coverage range that’s a total of 17-percent wider.

2022 Nissan Rogue Pricing

Trim Level

2022 Nissan Rogue MSRP

2021 Nissan Rogue MSRP

Rogue S FWD

$26,700

$26,050

Rogue SV FWD

$28,390

$27,740

Rouge SL FWD

$33,050

$32,400

Rogue Platinum FWD

$36,480

$35,830

Rogue S AWD

$28,200

$27,450

Rogue SV AWD

$29,890

$29,140

Rogue SL AWD

$34,550

$33,800

Rogue Platinum AWD

$37,980

$37,230


Naturally, the new engine bumps up the price of the Rogue just a bit. For 2022, the Rogue will start out at $26,700 and will go as high as $37,980 for the range-topping Platinum AWD trim. These figures, of course, exclude the obligatory $1,175 destination fee, and you’ll be able to get your hands on a new Roque starting December 2021.