Sporty look, uncompromised utility.
Text by Tom Appel
2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek AWD
Specs
Class: Compact Crossover
Country of Manufacture: U.S and Japan
Color: Baja Storm Metallic
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 133
Real-world fuel economy: 28.6 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B |
| Fit and Finish | B+ |
| Fuel Economy | B+ |
| Value | A- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide’s impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. “Big” rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, “Tall” rating based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 201-horsepower 1.5-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged 3-cylinder |
| Transmission | CVT automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving mix: 60% city, 40% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 27/32/29 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Regular Gas
Base price: $35,420 (not including $1390 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Rock Creek Premium Package ($800), special paint ($425), all-season cargo area ($440), rear-view mirror with universal remote ($415)
Price as tested: $38,890
Pros and Cons
The great: Roomy and refined, easy on the gas
The good: Good power, quiet cabin, comfortable ride
The not so good: Rock Creek looks the part, but brings little in the way of off-road prowess
Review:
Going Off Road
We’ve addressed this before: Americans generally enjoy the great outdoors, but what they really like is looking like they enjoy the great outdoors. And for 2025, Nissan made keeping up rugged appearances a lot easier.
Enter the 2025 Rogue Rock Creek. Priced as a midline Rogue trim level, the Rock Creek features a number of upgrades—though most are esoteric—that help the popular Nissan crossover look and feel like it’s ready for a little off-pavement adventure.
Rock Creek Story
Though a Rock Creek edition of the midsize Pathfinder dates as far back as 2019, the compact Rogue is so equipped for the first time this model year.
Compared the other “off-roady” small crossovers, including the Kia Sportage X-Pro, Hyundai Tucson XRT, and Subaru Forester Wilderness, the Rock Creek arrives looking the part of trail buster, but is functionally a little light on functional equipment upgrades.
Rock Creek Equipment
In additional to a number of exterior and interior trim elements, the 2025 Rogue Rock Creek trim level brings with it all-terrain tires on 17-inch alloy wheels, a tweaked AWD system, and a stout roof rack with a 220-pound capacity.
What is not included is an elevated ride height, underbody skid-plate protection, or reshaped front-or-rear bumpers for improved approach and/or departure angles. In short, the Rogue Rock Creek will likely perform well in the snow, but we don’t recommend chasing a Jeep Wrangler into a rocky ravine.
Looking the Part
That’s just fine with us, however, because we at Consumer Guide are big fans of the Rogue. And given its reasonable price, modest bump in off-road ability, and sporty character, we find the Rock Creek a great way to drive a small crossover that doesn’t look exactly like every other vehicle in the Costco parking lot.
Here we’d like to share five cool things about the 2025 Rogue Rock Creek, and give shoppers reason to consider the ‘Creek if they are considering a new Nissan Rogue:
5 Cool Things about the 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek
Cool look, some added capability
As new noted above, we like the Rock Creek look. We’ll also take the all-terrain tires, especially as we’re headquartered here in Chicago, where snow is a very real seasonal impediment to daily commuting. Also, if you’re given to taking the occasional long-trip vacation, the heavy-duty roof rack is a nice thing to have.
Same capable Rogue powertrain
It’s an open secret that the Rogue is powered by a 3-cylinder engine. The turbocharged 1.5-liter powerplant cranks out a healthy 201 horsepower, and provides plenty of merging and passing power. And though the Rogue is not available with a hybrid powertrain, the standard mill serves up pretty impressive mileage numbers. We saw almost 29 mpg over 130 miles of routine driving, which is pretty miserly. Note that the Rock Creek is rate slightly below other AWD Rogue models by the EPA. We suspect the all-terrain tires take a small toll on efficiency.
Lots of Space
In any trim level, Rogue is among the roomiest compact crossovers on the market, with plenty of big-guy room and comfort in the front row, and ample adult space in the 2nd-row. Generous glass area contributes to the cabins general sense of openness.
Lots of Refinement
Both quiet and comfortable and highway speed, Rogue makes for fine small-family vacation ride, and the Rock Creek’s unique wheels and tires do little to compromise overall refinement. We especially appreciate the quietness of the cabin, and the classy, high-quality trim. Rogue feels well crafted and nicely screwed together.
Decent Price
In addition to the aforementioned off-road trim and hardware, the Rock Creek justifies its $3900 price increase over the SV trim level with standard AWD, hill-descent control, 360-degree around-view monitoring, and heated front seats.
…
Value
The 2025 Nissan Rogue is a Consumer Guide best buy in the Compact Crossover class, and the new Rock Creek trim level adds a dose of fun and rugged good looks, even if it isn’t really off-road capable. Be sure to check out the Rock Creek when you test drive the Rogue.
Listen to the Car Stuff Podcast
Nissan Rogue Rock Creek Pictures
Click below for enlarged images