The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek edition isn’t just another compact SUV; it’s a statement. After putting it through its paces, both on the highway and deep in muddy off-road conditions, it’s clear this vehicle is built for adventure without sacrificing everyday comfort and practicality. We took the new Rogue Rock Creek where it belongs – off the beaten path – and here’s what we discovered.
Our journey began with a comfortable highway cruise, eating up miles in the Everest White Pearl Rogue Rock Creek. But the real test awaited us in the muddy proving grounds of the South Bend Sodbusters, a group of serious off-road enthusiasts. This wasn’t going to be a gentle introduction; it was a full-on mud bog challenge. Any concerns about keeping that pristine white paint job quickly vanished as we turned onto damp country lanes, heading towards the mud.
Rock Creek: Rugged Features with Refined Style
The Rock Creek edition of the 2025 Nissan Rogue distinguishes itself with a tougher, more adventurous aesthetic and functional upgrades. Visually, it stands out from the standard Rogue with distinctive bright orange badging and unique trim on the front, rear, and side fascias. Inside, the Rock Creek theme continues with embossed seatbacks and vibrant orange contrast stitching on the durable, easy-to-clean gray ballistic nylon seats. This interior is not only stylish but also practical for those who embrace the outdoors.
Beyond aesthetics, the Rock Creek trim adds features designed to enhance its off-road capabilities. Key among these is the dedicated off-road setting within the Vehicle Dynamics Control system, easily accessible via a rotary knob on the center console. This system optimizes the standard All-Wheel Drive (AWD) to maximize traction in challenging conditions. Hill Descent Control, another standard feature on the Rock Creek, provides added confidence and control when navigating steep declines.
Muddy испытание: Pushing the Rogue Rock Creek to its Limits
We anticipated some light off-roading, perhaps some muddy fields. The Sodbusters, however, had other plans. They designed a course that truly tested the Rogue Rock Creek’s mettle. We found ourselves maneuvering through tight trails bordered by trees slick from recent autumn rains, the ground under our Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail all-terrain tires as slippery as ice. Northern Indiana hills, steeper and slimier than expected, became our proving ground.
The Rogue Rock Creek, despite its family-friendly reputation, rose to the challenge. The off-road driving mode and Hill Descent Control proved invaluable, providing enhanced traction and controlled downhill movement. The Intelligent Around-View Monitor, with its Off-Road mode, became our co-pilot, displaying the terrain directly in front of the vehicle and side views, helping us avoid obstacles and navigate the tricky course without a scratch. While skid plates aren’t standard, the Rogue Rock Creek demonstrated surprising agility and resilience in demanding conditions.
On-Road Manners: Comfort and Efficiency
The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek isn’t just about off-road prowess; it also excels in everyday driving. We were impressed by its nimble handling, responsive acceleration, and quiet cabin during the highway portion of our test.
Power comes from Nissan’s innovative 1.5-liter variable compression turbo I3 engine, delivering a robust 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque. This engine outperforms many competitors in its class while maintaining impressive fuel economy. The Rogue Rock Creek is EPA-rated at 27 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, and we observed 29.6 mpg in mixed driving conditions, including significant off-road use.
The specially tuned electronic power steering in the Rock Creek edition contributes to precise handling, while the ride quality remains surprisingly smooth, even with the all-terrain tires. The cabin stays quiet at highway speeds, a welcome contrast to some more aggressively tired SUVs. Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) is refined and efficient, mimicking the feel of a traditional automatic transmission. Multiple drive modes further allow drivers to tailor the vehicle’s performance to different conditions.
Interior Comfort and Practicality
Inside, the 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek prioritizes comfort and practicality. Nissan’s Zero Gravity seats, inspired by NASA technology, provide exceptional support for both front and rear passengers. Heated front seats are standard in the Rock Creek trim, along with a power-adjustable driver’s seat.
Cargo space is another strong point, with a generous 31.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 74.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Rogue Rock Creek also offers a towing capacity of 1,500 pounds. A powered liftgate, part of the available Premium package, adds convenience, especially with the motion-activated foot sensor.
Standard on the Rock Creek is a substantial tubular black roof rack, enhancing its adventurous look and adding significant cargo-carrying capability. It can support up to 220 lbs, perfect for outdoor gear. A 12-volt outlet in the cargo area further caters to outdoor enthusiasts, providing power for accessories at campsites or trailheads.
Value and Competition
The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek starts at a competitive $36,810, offering a compelling blend of off-road capability, comfort, and features. Our test vehicle, equipped with the Everest White Pearl paint and Premium package, came in at $38,034. For those seeking a more basic Rogue, the S trim starts at $30,620 (FWD) and the SV trim offers additional features at a slightly higher price point. Higher trims like SL and Platinum offer more luxury and technology.
The compact SUV segment is fiercely competitive, with rivals like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5, and Ford Escape. However, the 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek distinguishes itself with its unique blend of ruggedness, refinement, and value, making it a smart choice for those who want a vehicle that’s equally at home on city streets and muddy trails.
FAST STATS: 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek
Hits: High-value family crossover with AWD, good power, easy handling, smooth ride, solid off-road ability with OR tires and dynamic vehicle modes. Good MPG, power hatch, smart cruise control and solid safety equipment, roomy cargo area, 9-inch info screen, comfy Zero Gravity heated front seats and heated flat-bottom steering wheel, 5 drive modes, and a 360 camera with excellent off-road view. Large tubular roof rack.
Misses: No navigation system.
Made in: Smyrna, Tenn.
Engine: 1.5-liter Turbo I3, 201 hp / 225 torque
Transmission: XtronicCVT automatic
Weight: 3,713 lbs.
Wheelbase: 106.5 in.
Length: 183 in.
Ground clearance: 8.2 in.
Cargo: 31.6-74.1 cu.ft.
Tow: 1,500 lbs.
MPG: 27/32
MPG: 29.6 (tested)
Base Price: $36,810 (includes delivery)
Invoice: N.A.
Major Options:
Everest White pearl paint, $424
Premium pkg. (heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, power motion-activated liftgate, power passenger’s seat, wireless charger), $800
Test vehicle: $38,034
Sources: Nissan, www.kbb.com
Photos: Mark Savage
