SAFETY

The Rogue received the top score of Good in front, side and rear crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. In past years, these scores


when coupled with the Rogue's standard stability control


would have earned it Top Safety Pick status from IIHS. This year, IIHS added a roof-strength test to its Top Safety Pick criteria. In this test, the Rogue scored the second-place Acceptable. A rating of Good is needed for Top Safety Pick status.

The happy news for parents is that the Rogue easily fits child-safety seats. Well, it does as long as there are only two of them. Three just don't fit. The second row's bench seat is flat, and the seatbacks recline so you can find a good fit with a car seat. The lower Latch anchors were easy to work with. I was surprised that I could fit a rear-facing infant-safety seat behind the driver's seat, but do note that the driver's seat was set for my 5-foot-5-inch frame. With the infant seat behind me, I couldn't scoot my seat back any farther, so plan accordingly.

The Rogue has standard front-wheel drive, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with brake assist, stability control, traction control and six airbags, including side-impact airbags in the front row and side curtains in both rows. All-wheel drive is optional.

    See also:

    Vacuum assisted brakes
    The brake booster aids braking by using engine vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However, greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be requir ...

    Top tether anchor point locations
    The child restraint top tether strap must be used when installing the child restraint with the LATCH lower anchor attachments or seat belts. See “Installing top tether strap” later in this se ...

    Glass
    When cleaning the rear window, it may be easier to clean if the high-mounted stop light (if so equipped) is removed first. Be careful when removing the high-mounted stop light to reduce the risk ...