DecodedCars2021 Nissan Rogue Sport
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.
- Class
- Small Station Wagons
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 28 combined · 26 city / 31 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- ★★★★★
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Few owner complaints23 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 67 for similar models.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is a small station wagon offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 28 MPG combined (26 city / 31 highway), 10% worse than the 2021 small station wagon average of 31 MPG, for an estimated $2,400 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the forward collision avoidance.
What changed for 2021
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 Rogue Sport →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rogue Sport | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 31 / 28 | -10% | $2,400 | 318 |
| Rogue Sport AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 26 / 30 / 27 | -13% | $2,500 | 330 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 14.3% |
| 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 4★ / 5★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | 15.9% |
Similar 2021 small station wagons
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport (this car) | 28 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2021 Honda HR-V | 30 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2021 Kia Niro | 50 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Chevrolet Bolt EV | 259 mi | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2021 Kia Soul | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E | 305 mi | Not rated | 13 |
Recalls (1)
Electrical System › Ignition › Anti-Theft › Immobilizer/Proximity › Key/Sender · Feb 16, 2023
NHTSA campaign 23V093000 · 712,458 vehicles
- Problem
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Rogue and 2017-2022 Rogue Sport vehicles equipped with a jackknife style ignition key. The jackknife key may collapse into a folded position while driving.
- Risk
- Driver contact with a key in the collapsed position could inadvertently shut off the vehicle while driving, increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, if the vehicle shuts off while driving, the air bags may not deploy in a crash as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will insert a spacer into the key slot of the jackknife key, free of charge. Interim notification letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed March 29, 2023. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22C5.
Not every 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 7 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Engine — 5 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 4 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 106,864 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2021 Nissan Rogue Sport. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Rogue Sport years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Rogue Sport | 28 | – | ★★★★★ | 1 | 12 |
| 2020 Rogue Sport | 28 | – | Not rated | 1 | 41 |
| 2019 Rogue Sport | 28 | – | ★★★★★ | 2 | 100 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →