Yahoo Autos The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek Looks Tougher Than It Is
We can't say for sure, but maybe Nissan took the trim name for its adventure-centric SUV models from Rock Creek Park, the Washington, D.C.-based national park. Regardless, the compact Rogue is the latest to adopt the moniker. Similar to the larger Pathfinder version, the 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek has knobbier all-terrain tires, a tubular roof rack, tech that functions as off-road training wheels, and an appearance that says, "I'm not like most Rogues, I'm a rugged Rogue."
While the Rock Creek's fiercer facade reminds us of John Krasinski's transition from clean-shaven office worker Jim Halpert to a bearded CIA contractor in 13 Hours, underneath it isn't much different from other Rogues. Sure, the RC looks tougher, but it has the same 8.2 inches of ground clearance as the rest of the lineup. All the important angles for clearing obstacles are identical too. At least the Rock Creek adds underbody armor, right? Nope, no skid plates either.
Still, the Rock Creek isn't a total poser. All-wheel drive is standard, and Nissan replaces the Rogue's standard all-season tires with a set of 235/65R-17 Falken Wildpeak A/T all-terrain rubber that incrementally improve its off-road capability. It's also the only Rogue with hill-descent control, which manages the brakes on downhill sections. Its Off-Road mode isn't exclusive to the Rock Creek trim, but here it's specially tuned to tell the stability- and traction-control systems to chill. When activated at speeds up to 12 mph, it also triggers a helpful front camera view on the center screen.
To put the Rock Creek kit to use, Nissan brought us to Holly Oaks ORV Park that's about 60 miles north of Car and Driver's HQ in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Nissan knows next to no one is bringing their Rogue to a place like this, but the specially selected route showcased the Rock Creek's expanded bandwidth. Made up of sand and gravel pits, Holly Oaks has the vibe of a dystopian playground, but if you follow the same relatively safe path through the North 60 area that we did, you'll likely leave in one piece. We say likely because our convoy emerged with some battle scars, including scratched front fenders and several dangling plastic undertrays.
That minor damage could've been avoided had drivers been more careful on the tight trail sections and lowered their speeds over the cratered dirt roads. However, the Rock Creek's rugged appearance might lead other overconfident drivers to mess around and find out too. Our suggestion to Nissan: Add a skid plate or two. We do appreciate the exclusive Off-Road View that helped us see what's on the other side of steep inclines and made it easier to avoid damage by more precisely placing the wheels.
Speaking of wheel placement, the Rock Creek's is perhaps at its best when one or more wheels lose traction: Thanks to its model-exclusive stability-control tuning, we were able to scale sizable rock obstacles with relative ease, though sharper throttle response would've helped us mete out power better. We're not sure many owners will have the confidence to teeter-totter up a transparent surface with a wheel hanging in the air like we did, but the capability is there.
Besides retuning the dampers for off-road duty, Nissan didn't make any notable changes to the Rogue's suspension. It did tweak the electrically assisted steering, but those subtle alterations don't noticeably affect the Rock Creek's driving behavior.
We didn't drive this Rogue on pavement, but it uses the same powertrain as other trims: The variable-compression, turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder makes 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque and pairs with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). When we tested a 2024 Rogue Platinum AWD, it hit 60 mph in a middling 8.0 seconds. The Rock Creek's acceleration should be similar, but its fuel economy is worse. With an aero-disrupting roof rack and blockier tires with more rolling resistance, the Rock Creek's EPA estimates of 27 mpg city, 32 highway, and 29 combined are 2 to 3 mpg below those of other AWD Rogues.
Inside, the Rock Creek gets special moisture-resistant upholstery. The material covers the front seats and comes with contrast stitching and seatback logos in Lava Red. The driving position is comfortable, and we appreciate the highly adjustable steering column. The Rock Creek skips the digital gauge cluster and larger 12.3-inch touchscreen standard on the upper-tier SL and Platinum, which also means Apple CarPlay and Android Auto require a cord. For $800, the Rock Creek Premium package adds niceties such as a heated steering wheel, power adjustment for the front passenger seat, a motion-activated power liftgate, and a wireless charging pad.
The 2025 Nissan Rogue Rock Creek starts at $37,235. That's a reasonable ask for a comfortable compact crossover with a dash of extra capability, even if the setup doesn't quite live up to its macho getup. Basically, if venturing off the beaten path includes anything mildly challenging, the Ford Bronco Sport Badlands and Jeep Compass Trailhawk are better options. But if Class 3 ORV trails and two-track dirt roads are the height of excitement, then the Rock Creek is the right Rogue.
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