The Nissan Rogue is a testament to innovation, safety, and adaptability in the competitive compact SUV market. With its refreshed design, advanced technology, and impressive performance capabilities, the latest iteration of the Rogue continues its legacy as a favourite among Canadian drivers. 

Trim Overview 

The Nissan Rogue is available in several trim levels, catering to a wide range of preferences and budgets. The lineup includes:

• Rogue S
• Rogue SV
• Rogue SL
• Rogue Platinum

Powertrain and Performance

At the heart of the Nissan Rogue is a 1.5-liter Variable Compression Turbo (VC-Turbo) engine, a revolutionary powerplant that offers an impressive balance of performance and efficiency. Key specifications include:

• Engine Type: 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three
• Maximum Power Output: 150 kW (201 horsepower) at 5,600 rpm
• Peak Torque: 305 Nm (225 lb-ft) at 2,800 rpm
• Transmission: Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with Manual Mode

The VC-Turbo engine’s ability to adjust its compression ratio on the fly (ranging from 8:1 for high performance to 14:1 for maximum efficiency) allows the Rogue to deliver responsive acceleration when needed and excellent fuel economy during regular driving.

Fuel Efficiency

The Nissan Rogue boasts impressive fuel economy figures, making it an economical choice for both city driving and long highway journeys:

• City Driving: 8.4 L/100 km
• Highway Driving: 6.7 L/100 km
• Combined Cycle: 7.8 L/100 km

These figures may vary slightly depending on the chosen trim level and drivetrain configuration.

Advanced Snow Mode: Conquer Winter with Confidence

One of the standout features of the Nissan Rogue is its advanced Snow Mode, which is part of the Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system. This innovative technology gives drivers enhanced traction, stability, and control in challenging winter conditions. 

How Snow Mode Works

The Snow Mode in the Nissan Rogue is an intelligent system that optimizes various vehicle parameters to ensure optimal performance in snowy and icy conditions. Here’s a breakdown of its key functions:

Throttle Response Modulation

When Snow Mode is engaged, the system automatically adjusts the throttle response to be more gradual, which helps prevent sudden power surges that could cause wheelspin on slippery surfaces. By delivering power more smoothly, the Rogue maintains better traction and stability when accelerating from a stop or while driving on snow-covered roads.

Transmission Mapping

In Snow Mode, the Xtronic CVT adjusts its behaviour to favour lower gear ratios. This provides more torque at lower speeds, crucial for maintaining momentum in deep snow or when starting on slippery inclines. The transmission also reduces the frequency of ratio changes to minimize the risk of losing traction during gear shifts.

AWD Torque Distribution

In Snow Mode, the Intelligent AWD system becomes more proactive in distributing torque between the front and rear axles. It can send up to 50% of the available torque to the rear wheels, ensuring optimal traction on slippery surfaces. The system continuously monitors wheel slip and adjusts torque distribution in real-time to maintain stability and control.

Traction Control System Optimization

The vehicle’s traction control system is recalibrated in snow mode to allow for a slight amount of wheel slip. This might seem counterintuitive, but a small degree of controlled wheelspin can actually help the tires bite into snow and maintain forward momentum, especially in deeper snow conditions.

ABS and Stability Control Adjustment

The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) are fine-tuned in Snow Mode to better suit winter driving conditions. The ABS allows longer pulse cycles, improving braking performance on loose snow. The VDC system becomes more permissive to light yaw movements, allowing smoother cornering on slippery surfaces without excessive intervention.

Hill Start Assist Enhancement

When in Snow Mode, the Hill Start Assist feature provides extended hold times on inclines. This gives drivers more time to transition from the brake to the accelerator without rolling backward, particularly useful on icy or snow-covered hills.

Activating Snow Mode

Engaging Snow Mode in the Nissan Rogue is a simple process:

1. Locate the Drive Mode selector, typically on the center console.
2. Rotate the selector to choose “Snow” from the available drive modes.
3. The instrument cluster will display a confirmation that Snow Mode is active.

Drivers can toggle Snow Mode on and off as needed, allowing for quick adaptation to changing road conditions.

Benefits of Snow Mode

The advanced Snow Mode in the Nissan Rogue offers several key benefits for winter driving:

• Improved Traction: By optimizing power delivery and torque distribution, Snow Mode significantly enhances the ability to maintain traction on slippery surfaces.
• Enhanced Stability: The adjusted stability control settings help keep the vehicle stable during cornering and sudden maneuvers on snow or ice.
• Smoother Acceleration: The modulated throttle response prevents sudden power surges, resulting in smoother, more controlled acceleration in slippery conditions.
• Better Hill Performance: Enhanced Hill Start Assist and optimized torque distribution improve the ability to navigate snowy or icy inclines.
• Increased Driver Confidence: The comprehensive adjustments made by Snow Mode allow drivers to feel more secure and in control when facing challenging winter conditions.

Additional Winter-Ready Features

While Snow Mode is a standout feature, the Nissan Rogue offers several other features that enhance its winter driving capabilities:

• Heated Front and Rear Seats: Available on higher trim levels, heated seats provide comfort during cold winter drives.
• Heated Steering Wheel: Keeps hands warm and comfortable, allowing for better control in cold conditions.
• Remote Engine Start System: Allows drivers to start the engine and activate climate control before entering the vehicle, ensuring a warm interior on cold days.
• Intelligent Around View Monitor: Provides a 360-degree view around the vehicle, which is particularly useful when navigating through snow banks or in tight parking situations.
• LED Headlights with Auto-Leveling: Ensure excellent visibility in various weather conditions, including snow and fog.

Safety Features

The Nissan Rogue comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, many of which work in tandem with Snow Mode to enhance winter driving safety:

• Nissan Safety Shield 360: This suite includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and High-Beam Assist.
• ProPILOT Assist: An advanced driver assistance system that helps with steering, braking, and accelerating during single-lane highway driving.
• Intelligent Driver Alertness: This feature monitors steering patterns to detect driver fatigue and provides alerts when it’s time to take a break.
• Traffic Sign Recognition: Helps drivers stay informed about speed limits and other important road signs, which can be particularly useful when snow obscures roadside signage.

Interior Comfort and Technology

The Rogue interior provides comfort and convenience, especially appreciated during long winter drives:

• Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control: Allows the driver and front passenger to set their preferred temperatures.
• 9-inch Touchscreen Display: Provides easy access to navigation, entertainment, and vehicle settings.
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: Enables seamless smartphone integration without the need for cables.
• Bose Premium Audio System: Available on higher trims for an enhanced audio experience.
• Divide-N-Hide Cargo System: Offers versatile storage options, perfect for organizing winter gear and equipment.

Stay Safe With The 2025 Nissan Rogue Snow Mode

The Nissan Rogue, with its advanced Snow Mode and comprehensive set of features, stands out as an excellent choice for drivers facing challenging winter conditions. The innovative Snow Mode, working in concert with the Intelligent AWD system, transforms the Rogue into a confident winter warrior, capable of tackling snow-covered roads and icy conditions with ease. This feature, combined with the vehicle’s fuel-efficient VC-Turbo engine, spacious interior, and advanced safety technologies, makes the Nissan Rogue a top contender in the compact SUV segment, especially for those living in regions with harsh winters.

Whether you’re navigating city streets after a heavy snowfall or embarking on a winter road trip through the Canadian wilderness, the Nissan Rogue provides a safe, comfortable, and confident driving experience. Its blend of performance, efficiency, and winter-specific features ensures that drivers can face the challenges of winter driving with peace of mind, making it an ideal choice for Canadian drivers looking for a versatile and capable compact SUV.