2026 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek: More Mature and More Rugged

The Nissan Rogue has joined the growing list of compact SUVs with a focus on adventure. As an alternative to the Honda CR-V TrailSport, Subaru Forester Wilderness and GMC Terrain AT4, just to name a few, the new 2026 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek uses the same powertrain but stands out with unique design cues.

There’s a gloss black grille with silver accents contributing to a more rugged-looking front end. Also notable is the tubular roof rack with integrated crossbars, plus black mirror caps, exclusive 17-inch satin black wheels with Lava Red accents, and the requisite Rock Creek badges on the doors and rear hatch. Inside, the easy-to-clean leatherette seats feature contrast stitching and pair with Lava Red accents, not to mention piano black trim on the dashboard.

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Off-road capability is enhanced with Falken Wildpeak all-terrain tires and a 360-degree camera system that adds an off-road view operating at speeds up to 19 km/h to help drivers spot obstacles along the way. All-wheel drive comes standard on all Rogue models, but the Rock Creek gets hill descent control. Approach and departure angles are unchanged.

The 2026 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek carries a base MSRP of $41,398. Freight, PDI and other fees amount to $2,280. Now, let’s go to our review.

Generously Equipped

The Rogue's interior is not particularly exciting, whether in S ($37,186), SV ($40,986) or Rock Creek trim, but it deserves praise when it comes to ergonomics, ease of use and standard content, including heated seats and steering wheel.

All the main controls are physical and within easy reach. The 7-inch digital instrument cluster is flanked by analogue gauges and offers all the essential information, while the 8-inch centre touchscreen looks clean and offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

If you want a fully loaded Rogue, then go with the Platinum model at an all-inclusive price of $48,686. This one comes with a long list of gadgets and amenities, such as a panoramic sunroof, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 12.3-inch infotainment system, head-up display, wireless phone charging, heated rear seats and 10-speaker Bose audio system.

Safe and Comfortable

Overall, the Nissan Rogue is pleasant to drive and quite accommodating thanks to its spacious interior and well-designed seats making long trips a relaxed, fatigue-free experience. With blind spots that keep getting bigger on vehicles across the industry, the large windows are a blessing as they provide good visibility—though not as much as the Subaru Forester’s.

The result is an SUV that makes you feel safe. Further inspiring confidence are the multiple advanced driver assistance technologies that come standard. Some may be intrusive, but they still prove surprisingly effective, even on partially snow-covered roads. When ProPilot Assist is activated, lane centering lacks smoothness, with the Rogue wandering from one side of the lane to the other. Not a big deal, mind you, but it could annoy some drivers.

And while we’re on the topic, the Nissan Rogue has earned a 2025 Top Safety Pick award from the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), similar to the aforementioned Subaru Forester. It’s not quite as good as the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-50, which have all secured a Top Safety Pick+ award.

What About the Engine?

Under the hood is a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine (VC-Turbo) that can tow a modest 1,500 lbs. The alternative is the recently introduced plug-in hybrid system that Nissan has borrowed from the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. The VC-Turbo engine employs a unique and innovative technology that allows it to vary its compression ratio in real time, using a lower ratio to maximize performance and a higher ratio to improve efficiency, as Nissan explains. The changes are imperceptible to the driver.

Back in the summer, we achieved 7.0-7.2 L/100 km in mostly highway driving with a Platinum model. During this more recent test drive in colder, winter-like conditions, the Rogue Rock Creek ended up with a score of 9.1 L/100 km, although fuel consumption dropped to 8.7 L/100 km at one point. In any case, the VC-Turbo fails to match the ratings announced by Natural Resources Canada.

Performance is commendable. Nissan’s CVT makes good use of the power on tap and also enhances the driving experience by simulating gear shifts. When driving around town, the Rogue feels quick and responsive. At higher speeds, it delivers confident passing manoeuvres. Oh, and even with just three cylinders, the engine vibrates only slightly more than a four-cylinder and emits a fairly muscular sound.

On December 13, 2023, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Security Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation (case PE23023) into the VC-Turbo engine after owners reported multiple issues including a sudden loss of power. Then, in July of this year, the NHTSA and Transport Canada issued a massive recall affecting 2021-2024 models. This included the replacement of engines when metal debris were found in the oil pan. Since Nissan has taken the necessary steps to fix the problem and improve the reliability of the VC-Turbo engine, the NHTSA closed the investigation on July 18.

Moving Forward

Ultimately, the rugged-looking and more adventurous 2026 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek is a nice addition to the Japanese compact SUV’s lineup. Off-road capability is no better than average, as we reported a short while ago. The all-wheel drive system is not very sophisticated but good enough to get you out of snowbanks and tackle flat trails. It's fine for most everyday driving situations, too.

We guess you could say that the Nissan Rogue is maturing. Reliability is considered above average according to U.S. magazine Consumer Reports, and the fix to the engine—a primary source of consumer complaints—could improve its score even further. The Rogue may not enjoy the same reputation as the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5, but that doesn't prevent it from being a serious and recommendable competitor.