2012 Nissan Rogue — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2012 Nissan Rogue

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $16,640–$21,586
Fuel Economy 16 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $3,281/yr

Key Specifications — 2012 Nissan Rogue

Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$16,640–$21,586

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2012 Nissan Rogue

With an overall Carivo score of 6.5/10, the 2012 Nissan Rogue earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.5/10, while Performance at 6.0/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.

Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. We rate reliability at 6.1/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 7.5/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 6.0/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology scores 6.2/10 — the infotainment and driver-assist features feel dated against current-generation rivals. This is worth weighing if you prioritize connected features or modern safety tech.

Priced from $16,640–$21,586, 16 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Rogue sits in the budget-friendly tier of the suv market. The value score of 6.8/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Bottom line: There's a case for the 2012 Nissan Rogue, but it needs the right buyer. Its value and technology and reliability and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.

Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2012 Nissan Rogue ranks #2376 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 3% of the segment. Its 6.5/10 overall score is 0.9 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $16,640 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 54%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which Rogue Year Should You Buy?

Across the Rogue model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting price (MSRP when new)
2026 7.6/10$31,785 Read review →
2025 7.6/10$31,785 Read review →
2024 7.5/10$30,860 Read review →
2023 7.4/10$29,934 Read review →
2022 7.4/10$29,008 Read review →
2021 7.4/10$28,082 Read review →
2020 7.4/10$27,156 Read review →
2019 7.2/10$26,231 Read review →
2018 7.2/10$25,305 Read review →
2017 7.2/10$24,379 Read review →
2016 7.0/10$23,453 Read review →
2015 7.0/10$22,527 Read review →

Pros & Cons — 2012 Nissan Rogue

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Accessible entry price makes it one of the more affordable options in the category
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Below-average reliability data — factor in potential repair and maintenance costs
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Infotainment and tech features feel dated compared to newer rivals in this segment
  • Fuel economy at 16 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2012 Nissan Rogue (2 on record)

The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Electrical system
26/01/2015 · 15V032000
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 Nissan Rogue vehicles manufactured March 7, 2007, to November 26, 2013, and 2014 Nissan Rogue Select vehicles manufactured September 23, 2013, to July 2, 2014. The affected…
Tires / Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
22/02/2012 · 12V068000
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 MURANO AND ROGUE VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 23, 2011 THROUGH JANUARY 11, 2012. DURING ASSEMBLY, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THUS, THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH…

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

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