Buying your first SUV, especially if it’s going to be a brand-new model, is a big financial decision. SUVs have gotten really expensive today, and even the cheapest ones are not all that cheap. That’s why, when buying a new SUV today, you need to be a bit savvy about how you go about it. There are multiple ways to do that, starting with buying something that’s reliable and won’t demand expensive repairs and running costs in the long run.
Another way you can save some money with a new SUV is by buying an old stock model. In other words, you can buy a last model year SUV in 2026, which will get you many dealership-level discounts and incentives. And if this is your first SUV, there’s hardly a better option than buying a 2025 Nissan Rogue in 2026. With no major updates in 2026, the 2025 model year still ticks all the right boxes for being a terrific first SUV for you today.
- Base Trim Engine
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1.5-liter 3-cylinder
- Base Trim Transmission
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CVT
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
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201 hp
- Base Trim Torque
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225 lb-ft
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
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30/37/33 mpg
- Make
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Nissan
- Model
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Rogue
- Segment
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Compact SUV
Buying Previous Year Stock Can Be A Financially Smart Decision
Buying brand-new cars has several undeniable benefits over a used car. You not only get all the latest and greatest features that a car has to offer, but you also don’t have to worry about how the car was treated before it got into your hands. What you get is a brand-new car, straight out of the factory, with a healthy warranty coverage that will protect your car for a few years, at least. Yes, they are way more expensive than a used car, but you do get the peace of mind of buying something new. And what else can beat that brand-new car smell?
But did you know that you can get the same benefits of a brand-new car while still saving a lot of money in the process? The answer is simple: buy a previous model year; in other words, you can buy a MY25 model instead of the latest MY26. If that particular model has not undergone any major updates, what you essentially get is the same car but with plenty of discounts and benefits. It’s because the dealer will likely want to move the car as soon as possible. From a financial standpoint, buying a previous year’s stock may be the best opportunity to get your hands on a brand-new car.
May Not Make Sense For Everyone, Though
It all sounds good in theory, but an old stock model may not be for everyone. For example, if you intend to sell it within a few years, you’re better off purchasing a current model year due to its higher trade-in value in the short term. In the long run, say over five years, that difference in trade-in value hardly matters. Another reason why you’d want to buy the current model year is that the model has seen an update, and you want the latest features and styling.
Some Things To Keep In Mind
If you’re buying a previous year’s stock, you should keep some things in mind. If the car has sat in the dealer’s lot for months, you should ask the dealer to have it professionally detailed before delivery. Sitting for a long time can attract a lot of dust, and if it is kept out in the sun, the paint may fade over time, too. A good dealer wouldn’t mind having the car detailed to move it to the customer.
If the car has sat in one place for a long time, the tires may have developed flat spots. You should check for those, as well. Sitting idle can also attract rodents in the engine bay, so check for rodent damage too. Many cars get totaled every year due to rodent damage when they munch on the wiring harness; you don’t want that to be the case with your brand-new car. If the car clears these issues, you don’t have to worry about much.
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That’s Why The Nissan Rogue 2025 Model Year Makes Sense In 2026
The Nissan Rogue has been the manufacturer’s best-selling car for the last several years, and for good reason. It checks all the right boxes for first-time SUV buyers. The interior looks upscale and stylish, and owners often praise it for its comfortable and smooth ride quality as well as its competitive tech package. It also features a 201-horsepower engine that gets the job done. It may not be for enthusiasts, but it’s a versatile package for urban commuting and road tripping.
Hardly Any Major Changes For 2026
So, if you like what the Nissan Rogue has to offer, consider buying a MY25 model instead of the current model year. That’s because very little has changed in 2026. The only update Nissan has given to the Rogue for 2026 is the new Dark Armor trim. This trim is essentially a black-heavy SV trim, featuring some higher-end goodies, like heated front seats, a panoramic roof, and a 360-degree camera. Unless you want this very specification, there’s no other difference between the current model year and the previous model year.
Save Some Money With Discounts And Incentives
In fact, the Nissan Rogue 2025 model year might save you a lot of money. It went for $29,980, whereas the current Rogue goes for $29,090. Yes, it’s more expensive, but chances are, dealers would want to move it as soon as possible and will be willing to offer you plenty of discounts or incentives. Essentially, picking a 2025 Nissan Rogue in 2026 is how you can score some great deals, saving a lot of money without resorting to a used model.
Warranty Coverage On The Nissan Rogue 2025 Model Year
You might be wondering: what about the warranty coverage? You don’t have to worry. The warranty will start from the day you take delivery of the car. So, you will still get full warranty coverage from Nissan. For reference, Nissan offers a three-year or 36k-mile limited warranty, a five-year or 60k-mile powertrain warranty, and two-year or 24k-mile complimentary maintenance.
The 2025 Nissan Rogue Is A Terrific First SUV To Buy
For a first SUV, the Nissan Rogue ticks all the right boxes. Starting with the interior, it offers a spacious cabin that can seat up to five easily. It also offers a decent cargo space of 36.5 cubic feet for most of your everyday and occasional road-tripping needs. This interior borrows some styling cues from the Nissan Sentra and Nissan Altima sedans, and it looks quite contemporary. Things like the bi-level dashboard and squared-off shift knob only add to its rich-looking interior.
Plenty Of Features On Offer, Too
The Nissan Rogue, despite being one of the cheaper options in the segment, does not disappoint with its features. While the base models get cloth seating, mid-range trims, like the SV, upgrade to faux leather, and higher-end trims get genuine leather. Meanwhile, heated seats are standard on SV and higher models, and all trims except the base S get dual-zone climate control. Some trims even get an optional three-zone climate control.
On the infotainment front, the standard Rogue is headlined with an 8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Upgrading to higher trims unlocks a bigger 12.1-inch touchscreen running Google-based software, a first for Nissan. You can also spec the SUV with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, Bose stereo system, and a 10.8-inch heads-up display.
Top-Notch Safety To Protect You
The Nissan Rogue offers plenty of safety for you and your small family. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given it a solid 5 out of 5 overall safety rating. Meanwhile, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has given it “Good” in small overlap front and “Acceptable” in side crash tests. This safety factor is further enhanced by standard driver-assistance features, including automated emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims also offer ProPilot 2.1 hands-free driving mode.
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The Performance Is Adequate, But Nothing To Write Home About
One area where the Nissan Rogue may leave you wanting more is its handling and performance. It’s powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower. It is mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, with optional all-wheel drive. Given its power output, it’s not a fast car, going from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 8 seconds. So, it won’t make you giggle with performance, but 201 ponies should be more than what you’ll ever need for commuting and highway cruising.
It Makes Up For It With Efficiency And Reliability
The benefit of the lack of enthusiastic performance is that you get excellent fuel economy. According to the EPA, the Rogue returns an estimated up to 33 miles per gallon in FWD models and up to 31 miles per gallon in all-wheel drive models. It’s also a fairly reliable SUV, with a “Great” J.D. Power reliability score of 84 out of 100. As a result, it should also be quite cheap to maintain over the years.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Costs: $467 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,987 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 3
Handling Is Best Suited For Commuting And Road-Tripping
On the handling front, you can expect the Rogue to offer a compliant ride that’s comfortable for commuting and road tripping. Owners often report that the handling is anything but enthusiastic, so we wouldn’t expect canyon carving finesse from the Rogue. But expecting performance from this SUV is missing the point. It’s a terrific no-brainer first SUV that won’t wow you but get the job done while saving you a lot of money along the way, especially if you pick the 2025 model year.
Source: Nissan, J.D. Power, EPA, NHTSA, IIHS, CarEdge, RepairPal