This past weekend, I took the new 2026 Nissan Rogue Platinum to Okoboji for the annual Winter Games. Between sub-zero temperatures, icy roads, and an SUV loaded with gear, it was the perfect environment to see what the newest Rogue can really do.

When it’s below zero, comfort matters. The Rogue Platinum’s heated front seats, heated rear seats, and heated steering wheel made hopping in and out between events a lot less painful. The Remote Start and Intelligent Climate Control systems were a lifesaver! Being able to warm the cabin before we even got outside was the definition of luxury in the cold.

The cabin itself feels premium without trying too hard. Nissan redesigned the interior for 2026, and you notice it immediately, from the materials to the quietness on the highway. There’s also a huge panoramic sunroof, and even though it was a winter trip, it made daytime drives feel brighter and more open.

The Rogue Platinum packs a ton of technology that actually feels useful, not gimmicky:

• 360° Around View Monitor made parking in crowded, icy lots a breeze.
• Head-Up Display projected navigation and speed directly on the windshield, so I never had to look away from the road.
• Google Maps built-in + wireless Apple CarPlay kept navigation simple, whether I used Nissan’s native system or my phone.
• Wireless phone charging pad and multiple USB-A and USB-C ports meant nobody in the car ran out of battery.
• The updated Google built-in infotainment suite also supports Google Assistant, so you can adjust settings or search hands-free.

My favorite surprise: how spacious the Rogue is. For a compact SUV, it feels like it belongs in the next size class up. The cargo area is deep and extremely functional, with extra storage compartments under the floor that kept gloves, an ice scraper, and snacks organized instead of rolling around. With the seats up, we had room for weekend bags, Winter Games gear, and a cooler, no problem.

Rear passengers also have noticeably more space than expected, especially with reclining rear seats and their own climate vents. It's just a very road-trip-friendly layout.

We drove through patches of slick highway, and the Rogue’s safety systems did exactly what they’re supposed to do:

• Lane Keep Assist
• Blind Spot Intervention
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection
• ProPILOT Assist (helps with steering + adaptive cruise on the highway)

It never felt intrusive; it just added confidence when conditions got sketchy.

After spending a full weekend with it, the 2026 Rogue Platinum checks the boxes for buyers who want something stylish, tech-savvy, comfortable, and winter-ready. It handled the cold without flinching, it was easy to live with, and it made a long weekend road trip genuinely enjoyable.

If you’re shopping for a crossover that doesn’t feel basic and makes winter life easier, the new Rogue deserves a spot on your test-drive list.

The 2026 Nissan Rogue Platinum is available now at Willis Nissan. Stop by, warm up, and see it in person!