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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nissan North America announced pricing on the 2008 Nissan Rogue on Monday, laying out a strategy designed to undercut its main Japanese competitors, the 2008 Toyota RAV4 and the 2008 Honda CR-V.

The Rogue, Nissan’s late entry into the small-crossover fray, will start at $19,995, including a $745 destination charge, for the base front-wheel-drive S model. The top-of-the-line Rogue SL with all-wheel drive starts at $22,615, including shipping. It goes on sale September 18.

In comparison, a base 2008 Honda CR-V starts at $21,335, including a $635 destination charge. The CR-V is outfitted with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 166 horsepower and 161 pound-feet of torque. The base 2008 Toyota RAV4 starts at $21,785, including a $685 destination charge. It is equipped with a 2.4-liter inline-4 engine that delivers 166 hp and 165 lb-ft of torque.

The base Rogue trumps both the equivalent RAV4 and CR-V in the engine displacement and horsepower departments. The standard engine in the Rogue is a 2.5-liter inline-4 rated at 170 hp and 175 lb-ft of torque. But the RAV4 can be ordered with an optional 3.5-liter V6 that delivers 269 hp and 246 lb-ft of torque. There is no V6 option for the Rogue.

The Rogue can be equipped with more than a dozen options, including an $1,800 leather package, an $800 moonroof package and a $2,200 premium package on AWD models. A rear spoiler adds another $330, and a towing package adds another $450.

The Rogue comes in two trim levels: Rogue S and Rogue SL. Standard equipment on the base Rogue includes stability control, antilock brakes and six airbags. The Rogue SL adds 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, roof rails, privacy glass, body-color power outside mirrors, tailpipe finisher, six-way manual driver seat, rear passenger heater ducts and an additional 12-volt power outlet.

Read Inside Line’s comparison test of 2007-2008 small crossovers for more information.

What this means to you: Nissan comes out swinging in the pricing department with its new Rogue.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Sept. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Nissan North America, Inc. today announced pricing on the all-new 2008 Nissan Rogue, which goes on sale September 18 at Nissan dealers nationwide. Rogue is Nissan’s first entry into the small crossover SUV segment. It is available in two well-equipped, high-value models, Rogue S and Rogue SL.

The starting Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the well- equipped 2008 Rogue S is $19,250 for the 2WD model and $20,450 for Rogue S AWD. Pricing for Rogue SL is $20,670 for 2WD and $21,870 for AWD.

All 2008 Rogue models come equipped with a standard 170-horsepower (167 hp CAL emissions) 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, advanced Xtronic CVT(TM) (Continuously Variable Transmission), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), 4-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and a long list of standard safety equipment, including six air bags. An available all-new Intuitive All- Wheel Drive system with yaw moment control is also offered on both S and SL models.

Other standard Rogue equipment includes air conditioning with in-cabin microfilter, cruise control with steering wheel mounted switches, power windows and door locks, 60/40 split 2nd row rear seat, remote keyless entry, 12-volt auxiliary power outlet, AM/FM/CD audio system with four speakers, auxiliary input jack and 16-inch wheels and tires.

Rogue SL trim adds 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, roof rails, privacy glass, body-colored power outside mirrors, tailpipe finisher, 6-way manual driver’s seat, rear passenger heater ducts and an additional 12-volt power outlet.

Available technology features include Intelligent Key, Bluetooth(R) Hands- Free Phone System, XM(R) Satellite Radio (XM(R) subscription required, sold separately) and a powerful Bose(R)-developed audio system with AUX input and MP3 playback.

The new Nissan Rogue also offers excellent fuel economy of 22 mpg city/27 mpg highway for 2WD models and 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway for Rogue AWD models.

“Rogue’s aggressive, performance-oriented styling, powerful engine, responsive handling, and driver-focused cockpit combine with its thoughtful everyday utility to create a vehicle that shifts the way buyers, especially younger buyers, think about crossover SUVs,” said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division.

Rogue’s refined interior includes a driver-oriented cockpit, available leather-appointed seating surfaces, fold-flat front passenger’s seat and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Utility is enhanced by numerous convenient storage and ultra-functionality features, including an oversized partitioned glove box, a large dual-level center console and an available innovative rear cargo organizer.

Rogue’s standard QR25DE 2.5-liter DOHC 16-valve inline 4-cylinder is rated at 170 horsepower and 175 lb-ft torque (167 hp, 170 lb-ft CAL emissions), tuned to provide ample torque in the low-to-mid rpm range for smooth, powerful acceleration and quick initial response from a standing start. Combined with the standard Nissan Xtronic CVT(TM), the engine offers smooth, linear and responsive acceleration feel with high-efficiency operation. Available paddle shifters provide an added level of sporty performance and driver control.

Rogue also offers a long list of standard safety features, including a Nissan Advanced Air Bag system and front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain supplemental air bags for front and rear outboard occupants.

Five options and packages are offered for the 2008 Nissan Rogue: Premium Package (SL 2WD) $1,900; Premium Package (SL AWD) $2,200; Leather Package (SL AWD) $1,800; Moonroof (SL) $800; and splash guards at $125.

In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissannews.com.

This mini-Murano is entering a crowded crossover field. But its good looks and smart engineering could get it noticed

Toyota’s had a record run in the small crossover SUV category for several years with its Rav 4. Honda’s done well with its CRV too. But records are made to be broken and the new Rogue from Nissan could well be a serious, viable contender in the ever-increasing crowded category of small crossover sport utility vehicles.

After four years of planning, designing and engineering the Rogue is starting to hit dealer showrooms next month with sophisticated styling, interesting interiors and arresting attributes: at a starting price beginning at under $20,000.

The Rogue is obviously an homage to the breakthrough styling of the original Murano (an all-new Murano is scheduled for a Los Angeles Auto Show reveal) with, as the presentation detailed, “sleek lines, aggressive silhouette, sculpted roof and a dynamic arch.” Take away the design-speak…it translates to good looking.

After several hours of seat time on a scenic ride and drive from Baltimore, MD to Gettysburg, PA, I give the interior design and comfort high marks. The ride up was in the “well equipped” model with leather seats with power controls and other goodies — it was very roomy and very comfortable. The return was in the entry-level model with two color cloth seats and fewer goodies.

Both models have a big center console and huge glove box. The info-panel is well designed and easy to read during the day. Some day I hope to drive a new model at night to see how the aging baby boomers will see gauges and instruments.

Even as a non-techy, it was the mechanical features, the hidden attributes and assets of the Rogue, which I found most interesting and important. The 4-cylider engine is responsive and quick with good fuel economy. Nissan’s Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) was silky smooth. The Rouge’s electric power steering is intuitive and reactive to driving conditions. Add computer-assisted vehicle dynamic control and traction control to the other mechanical benefits, and that’s a nice package.

The list of comfort and convenience features is lengthy too for all four models of the Rogue: the S class with 2 WD and AWD, and the SL with 2WD and AWD. Naturally, there are option packages as well.

Usually I don’t delve into the name given a model, but the Rogue moniker really seems inappropriate. It doesn’t fit the dictionary definition of rogue, which is defined as, “an unprincipled, deceitful, and unreliable person; a scoundrel or rascal.” But then, if they capture some of the small crossover SUV market from their competitors, it could well be a rogue, couldn’t it?