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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $28,082–$33,029 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.4/10, the 2021 Nissan Rogue earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.3/10, while Performance at 6.8/10 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 6.9/10 — 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 8.3/10: 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 6.8/10 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 comes in at 7.3/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $28,082–$33,029, 27 MPG, seating 5, the Nissan Rogue sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. Value lands at 7.6/10 — you get what you pay for, no more and no less, with a few rivals offering slightly better per-dollar returns. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Bottom line: There's a case for the 2021 Nissan Rogue, but it needs the right buyer. Its 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 →
The 2021 Nissan Rogue ranks #1166 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 53% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $28,082 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 22%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2018 Nissan Rogue scores 7.2/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.4 — and starts roughly $3,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting 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 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $28,082 | |
| 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 → |
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.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 09/12/2021 · 21V957000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Rogue vehicles. Abnormal wear inside the fuel pump may cause it to overheat and fail. |
|---|---|
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Disc / Caliper 22/04/2021 · 21V286000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Rogue vehicles. The rear left and/or right brake caliper assemblies may be missing an internal bushing, allowing the O-ring seal to move and brake fluid to leak. |
| Wheels / Lugs/nuts/bolts/studs 17/03/2021 · 21V186000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Nissan Rogue vehicles. The incorrect wheel nuts may have been installed, and may loosen causing wheel vibration. |
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings 11/02/2021 · 21V068000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Nissan Rogue vehicles. The fuel hose may not be secured in the proper position and the fuel tank lock ring may not be fully seated. |
| Seats / Mid/rear assembly 24/06/2021 · 21V474000 | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Rogue vehicles. The second-row upper tether wires may have been improperly welded to the seatback frame, preventing a child seat from being securely anchored. As such, these vehicles fail to… |
Showing 5 of 10 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
We rate the 2021 Nissan Rogue's reliability 6.9/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
10 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.4/10 overall, ranking #1166 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 53% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2021 Nissan Rogue starts at $28,082 and ranges up to $33,029 across trims (MSRP when new). At 27 MPG, expect roughly $1,944/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Nissan models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.