Ride Report: 2025 Nissan Rogue SL (FWD)

After touching down at FLL on Christmas Eve with luggage and kids in tow, the Executive Area was looking sad - Rogues, Mitsubishi Eclipses, and Chevy Trailblazers as far as the eye could see. No upgrades to a larger vehicle were available, even for a paid upgrades. EA was no better featuring a host of base Jettas and Kia Souls. I was shocked to see the "SL" badge on the back of one of the Rogues, so I ran down to grab it. Having ~1700 miles at pickup it had not had the chance to get totally beat on yet and it still smelled new. Knowing that the 2025 refresh included some tech upgrades like ProPILOT 2.1,I was eager to see how it would handle the chaotic slog of I-95 and the A1A.

Car and Specs
• Engine: 1.5L VC-Turbo 3-Cylinder (201 hp, 225 lb-ft)
• Transmission: Xtronic CVT
• Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive (Standard for Florida fleets)
• MSRP: About $37K
• Notable Features: 12.3-inch HD Touchscreen with Google Built-In Assistant, 10-speaker Bose stereo, LED headlights, ProPILOT Assist 2.1 (hands-off capable), leather seating with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, automatic climate control, Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, 360-degree Around View Monitor, Dual-Panel Panoramic Moonroof.

Performance and Handling
Florida driving is mostly a game of "hurry up and wait." The 1.5L Turbo is surprisingly punchy for the 0–40 mph sprints required to merge into aggressive Miami-bound traffic. It feels much livelier than the old naturally aspirated fours. Fuel economy was a surprising ~30 MPG overall with a 50/50 highway/city split.

The ride quality is tuned for comfort, which is perfect for the concrete slabs of the Florida Turnpike. It’s not "sporty" by any stretch—the steering is light and somewhat numb—but it tracks straight and doesn't get unsettled by potholes or uneven pavement. The CVT remains a CVT; it’s fine for cruising, but the drone is noticeable when you're trying to overtake a slow-moving Canadian tourist in a convertible.

Interior and Technology
The SL trim is the "sweet spot" for renters. The standout is the Google Built-In integration. Being able to use native Google Maps on the 12.3-inch screen without fumbling with a phone cable is a luxury usually reserved for Volvos or Polestars. I had trouble getting this feature to work consistently due to connectivity issues. I also had connectivity issues with the wireless Carplay. It was not a seamless/automatic process every time but rather each time I started and stopped the car required a new re-pairing. I suspect this has to do with my key not being tied to a "Profile" and it was running in Guest mode - I've seen this on some other brands recently too (Volvo, Porsche), but either way that was quite annoying.

The "Zero Gravity" seats are fantastic—even after sitting in standstill traffic for a couple hours I felt fine. One Florida-specific win: the AC is incredibly powerful. It dropped the cabin temp from "swamp" to "Arctic" in about three minutes.

I was shocked at how much we could fit in to this little SUV. Two large suitcases, several smaller soft bags, and a full-size stroller all made it in.

I had a hard time locating the car seat tethers as they were not clearly marked on the back of the seats (the isofix mounting points are under plastic caps that you have to remove) and the dark garage made it impossible to see; just look for the cut in the fabric if you're trying to secure a car seat.

The "ProPILOT 2.1" Experience

I-95 in South Florida is a stress test for any driver. The Rogue’s ProPILOT 2.1 handled it impressively well. In single-lane freeway scenarios, it allows for hands-off driving. It managed the "stop-and-go" crawl with much more grace than the jerky systems found in older Hyundais. It’s a genuine fatigue-reducer.

The Verdict
The 2025 Rogue SL is a quintessential "National Executive Selection." It offers more tech and better seats than the standard fleet Rav4 or Equinox. If you’re doing a lot of miles, this is the one to grab. It felt like a junior Infiniti, and that's a good thing. Just make sure it's an SL and not the base or SV.

Pros:
• Google Maps integrated directly into the dash (no phone needed).
• ProPILOT 2.1 makes traffic significantly less soul-crushing.
• AC performance is top-tier for hot climates.
• Fuel Economy: Averaged 30 MPG overall.

Cons:
• CVT can feel "rubbery" especially during aggressive maneuvers.
• The 3-cylinder engine note is a bit coarse under load.

Verdict: A very strong 4/5. It’s the perfect Florida vacation appliance—comfortable, smart, and efficient.