Thoughts on the 2023 Nissan Rogue 1.5 variable compression engine?

[IndyIan]

Well, maybe get the extended warranty? It seems these have been in the infiniti QX50 for a couple years, but required premium fuel.
Consumer reports only had enough response for the 2019's to rate them, and the engine and drivetrain had very few major problems and some minor ones. It also got worse mileage than average in their road test... For 7-8-10% theoretically better mileage, it seems complex...
IMO if you are looking for cheaper long term ownership, KISS, the old 2.5 NA pulls you around just as well, and with a CVT, having a wide torque rpm range seems to be much less important.

 

[CKN]

"Newfangled" You can really tell how "mature" everybody is on this forum.

 

[IndyIan]

It’s about 3700lbs and has 201hp/221lb ft torque, right in line with most of competitors.

There's probably a bit of a relationship between engine longevity and the average hp/L required for regular driving. Not that many motors are wearing out in vehicles these days, but I think a smaller more complex engine is more sensitive to problems. But if you keep on top of maintenance of all the systems then probably it doesn't matter.

 

[JavierH19]

It's very efficient, just look at its mpg figures compared to the rest in the category. If i were to buy one I'd get factory extended power train warranty and service extra religiously.

 

[JavierH19]

"Newfangled" You can really tell how "mature" everybody is on this forum.

But it is newfangled. It's the first of the new variable compression motor tech. I remember when variable valve timing was the newfangled thing when it started coming out.

 

[Zee09]

Most people either overextend maintenance or do none at all.
They drive like complete maniacs as well. But nobody seems to figure that into the durability equation.

I can testify the back hatch area is very comfy and from my experience had a bunch of sound deadening as nobody heard my cries for help

 

[walterjay]

But it is newfangled. It's the first of the new variable compression motor tech. I remember when variable valve timing was the newfangled thing when it started coming out.

I remember when EFI was newfangled.

 

[camrydriver111]

Why go for a 3 cylinder instead of 4? To squeeze extra 1 or 2 mpg?

Its impressive that they got it to work, but doesn’t seem to be worth the headache.

 

[IndyIan]

Most people either overextend maintenance or do none at all.
They drive like complete maniacs as well. But nobody seems to figure that into the durability equation.

I can testify the back hatch area is very comfy and from my experience had a bunch of sound deadening as nobody heard my cries for help

Yeah, not really a problem for the first owners, but when is 8-10-12 years old? My Focus is at the stage where I'm glad it has no extra parts to fail.
We'll see I guess, what kind of parts quality Nissan spec'd for this and how it holds up, but using a very complex engine in the cheap-ish compact SUV class may kill resale value and then future sales...
In Car and Drivers real world mileage test, both the 2.5 NA powered Forester and RAV4 got slightly better mileage than the 3 cyl Rouge as well. The Nissan is slightly quicker but only 2,3 tenths to 60mph. So why bother?

 

[JavierH19]

I remember when EFI was newfangled.

Same. Ford would put in on the bottom left of their obs trucks headlights.

 

[PimTac]

But it is newfangled. It's the first of the new variable compression motor tech. I remember when variable valve timing was the newfangled thing when it started coming out.

Variable compression is not new. The KR engine has been in service since 2018.

 

[PimTac]

Why go for a 3 cylinder instead of 4? To squeeze extra 1 or 2 mpg?

Its impressive that they got it to work, but doesn’t seem to be worth the headache.

Definitely and that is significant. Some four cylinders go to two cylinders with deactivation.

 

[JavierH19]

Variable compression is not new. The KR engine has been in service since 2018.

yeah that is new. There aren't that many infinities on the road with these so there isn't a huge sample size. The rogue is more common and there will now be a larger sample size.

 

[CKN]

But it is newfangled. It's the first of the new variable compression motor tech. I remember when variable valve timing was the newfangled thing when it started coming out.

The less "mature" term would be "new tech". Anybody under 60 doesn't know what "new fangled" is.

 

[CKN]

I remember when EFI was newfangled.

How could a sealed system be better than a carburetor? You know those things with floats and valves than either worked, didn't work right which caused a rough idle, or didn't work at all which caused cars to stall out.

 

[PimTac]

The less "mature" term would be "new tech". Anybody under 60 doesn't know what "new fangled" is.

They should learn then.


I can imagine a lot of people cried when oil bath air filters were phased out and replaced by papery filters.

 

[Mr.cant-find-his-10.5-mm]

Well, maybe get the extended warranty? It seems these have been in the infiniti QX50 for a couple years, but required premium fuel.
Consumer reports only had enough response for the 2019's to rate them, and the engine and drivetrain had very few major problems and some minor ones. It also got worse mileage than average in their road test... For 7-8-10% theoretically better mileage, it seems complex...
IMO if you are looking for cheaper long term ownership, KISS, the old 2.5 NA pulls you around just as well, and with a CVT, having a wide torque rpm range seems to be much less important.

I like the KISS formula too, I was originally looking at RAV4s and Corolla Cross. But the current wait time for the RAV4 is 8 months and CC is 1+ years (central Canada, non-hybrid models).

Biggest reason I ended up with the Rogue? It was on the lot, readily available and no markups except for the floor mats. It was also manufactured in Japan which I hope should help with the reliability.

Oh and the seats too. Those seats are so comfy.

 

[Lapham3]

You do realize. don't you, that you're just the Guinea pig for an extremely complicated piece of machinery with several features that no has ever seen before and that no one knows how to diagnose or repair and that no one carries parts for?

People like new and unusual things but when it comes to new cars, new engines, new transmissions, etc the first owners going to pay a steep price to be on the front of the learning curve.

Also Nissan might claim that it's going to be a very good and effective engines but the car companies have a long history of engine inovations that turn out to be complete disasters when they get out into the real world. The Chevy Vega engines are a shining example of that.

Oh heck. We had a new '72 Vega and ran it for 10 years before the rust took it off the road. I'm in my 70's and never have had a bad vehicle. Some careful buying and good maint as well as not flogging the vehicle to death has worked for us.

 

[Lapham3]

I forgot. In about 74-5 the engine block was replaced under an easy 'no questions asked' Chev replacement warranty even as ours still ran well with about 50-60k miles.

 

[Soft Cars]

I like the KISS formula too, I was originally looking at RAV4s and Corolla Cross. But the current wait time for the RAV4 is 8 months and CC is 1+ years (central Canada, non-hybrid models).

Biggest reason I ended up with the Rogue? It was on the lot, readily available and no markups except for the floor mats. It was also manufactured in Japan which I hope should help with the reliability.

Oh and the seats too. Those seats are so comfy.

It's not available with the 4-cylinder anymore?