Though slipping from 7th-best-selling vehicle in America in 2019, to No. 10 this year, and dropping one place to the 4th best-selling crossover in the U.S., Nissan’s Rogue compact CUV is still a popular buy in the final year of its second generation.

Launched in 2007 for the 2008 model year as Nissan’s entry-level compact sports-ute, Rogue will get a top-to-bottom redesign for 2021 that includes new styling, a new platform, cosmetics and an 11-hp boost in power. For 2020, Rogue discontinues its Hybrid variant; ProPILOT Assist is now standard on the SL trim and is optional on SV; and Rogue has also added the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of advanced safety equipment this year, a package that includes pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, lane departure warnings, radar-based blind spot warnings, rear cross-traffic alerts and high beam assist. ProPILOT Assist is a hands-on driver assist system that combines Nissan's Intelligent Cruise Control and Steering Assist technologies, helps keep the vehicle centered in its lane, and maintains a preset distance from the vehicle ahead. Also for 2020, every Rogue SV gets standard amenities such as heated front seats, a power driver's seat, dual-zone climate control, a motion-activated liftgate, and rear automated emergency braking.

Rogue has built a following with its sporty and versatile demeanor and capabilities, and offers such standard safety amenities as Intelligent Lane Intervention, Automatic Emergency Braking, Pedestrian Detection and High Beam Assist, Rear Automatic Braking, a Rear Sonar System and Rear Door Alert across all grade levels.

Offered in three well-equipped grade levels -- S, SV and SL -- Rogue eliminated its third row of seating a few years back, but it fits the demand for an upscale compact crossover  with dimensions of 184.5 inches in length; 72.4 inches in width and 68.5 inches in height (AWD) on a 106.5-inch wheelbase. Minimum ground clearance is 8.4 inches (AWD), and curbweight for the AWD in SL trim is 3670 lbs. Assembled in Smyrna, Tennessee, Rogue’s unibody construction utilizes corrosion-resistant and high-strength steel, enhanced by progressive, emotive styling. The Nissan signature "V-Motion" grille and headlights with LED signature Daytime Running Lights help augment Rogue's robust, dynamic presence. Halogen headlights with auto off function are standard, along with Intelligent Auto Headlights. Also available are LED headlights with auto on/off function, High Beam Assist and fog lights. In the rear are combination lamps with LED boomerang signature taillights.

Rogue’s refined interior presents a premium look and feel, blended with a D-shaped steering wheel and leather-booted sport-mode shifter, available heated steering wheel, memory for driver's seats and mirror, and remote engine start.

Thick rear roof pillars impede interior sightlines, but Rogue’s cabin is roomy for a smaller SUV with 41.6 inches of front headroom and 38.5 inches in row two. Interior legroom is comfortable in front at 43.0 inches and relatively roomy in row two at 37.9 inches. Shoulder room is 56.6 in front and 55.9 and in the rear. The cabin also affords nearly 40 cubic feet of luggage space, or 70 cubic feet when you fold the rear seats down. The cabin experience is quiet, intuitive and the seats are cushy, and you get all the infotainment we have come to expect.

Rogue continues to offer one standard power source, a transverse 2.5-liter inline-4-cylinder DOHC engine that provides 170 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque. Coupled with an Xtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission) with standard Sport Mode and Eco switches, Rogue is EPA rated at 26mpg/city, 33mpg/highway and 29mpg/overall in FWD and 25/32/27 in AWD. A week of mixed-use testing averaged 27.4mpg. Rogue is not a track star, and next year’s 11-hp gain will help its slow-but predictable acceleration. Uphill climbs are steady and passing at speed requires some strategy, but Rogue’s electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering was attentive enough for the niche, though with noticeable understeer. At the track, my test Rogue completed a 9.2-second hand-timed zero-to-60mpg dash, during a long 17.3-second quarter-mile.

The driving experience was smooth for the segment, with firm on-pavement engagement from independent strut front suspension, coil springs and an independent multi-link rear, though Rogue does not appear to be suited for severe off-road challenges.

Additional safety items include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant-classification sensors, driver and front-passenger seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags, and roof-mounted curtain supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for outboard occupant head protection for all rows.

Rogue’s three trim levels are each offered in front-wheel or Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, and the lineup bases from $25,490 to $33,190, which was the starting point for my top-trim 2020 Rogue SL in AWD – AWD is $1350 above FWD pricing. Scarlet Ember Tintcoat exterior paint added $395, splash guards added $170, chrome rear bumper protector added $165, clear door edge protectors were $375, and the SL Premium package added $1820 for a dual-panel Panoramic Moonroof and LED headlights. A  moonroof wind deflector added $125, and Nissan’s 360-degree exterior Impact Sensor added $210. Shipping and Handling added $1095 for a sticker-as-tested of $37,545, but as the next-generation Rogue is out for 2021, there may be steep discounts available from your local dealer.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Blending a hip attitude, style, sportiness and luxury not generally expected from a sub-compact, Hyundai has targeted youthful “urban adventurers” with its sub-compact crossover utility vehicle, the 2020 Hyundai Kona.

Introduced in 2018 with what Hyundai called “urban smart armor” exterior styling, Kona displays an aggressive demeanor complemented by a low and wide stance, and has packed the vehicle with niche-leading safety technology and advanced infotainment features in a compact footprint. Hyundai has also paid attention to performance and safety, offering two engines – one of which is a turbo system – and Kona has been awarded Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and five stars from the federal government. The package tops off with a composure designed to exhibit confident handling in a variety of urban and adventure-oriented driving environments. 

Since its launch in 2018, Kona gained standard driver assistance features last year, including forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and pedestrian detection and an all-electric Kona model. For 2020, Kona adds available adaptive cruise control and a new SEL Plus trim that is up-tweaked with more standard equipment. And on the Kona Limited trim, if you select Sunset Orange exterior paint, it comes with new Orange interior accents. Next year, the Night Edition trim joins the lineup

Slotting just below the larger Hyundai Tucson, the subcompact CUV is so well packed that my test Kona, in Ultimate trim, required only slight accessory add-ons, and an upgrade to AWD. Kona is outfitted with a standard floating touchscreen with Apple CarPlay™/Android Auto™ capability; and Hyundai Smart Sense with Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Driver Attention Warning, Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Lane Keeping Assist and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning. 

My test Kona Ultimate (top-of-the-line) trim came standard with a Heads-up Display, an 8-inch LCD touchscreen display with navigation, High Beam Assist
Parking distance warning, Rain-sensing wipers, HomeLink® and compass, Infinity® premium audio with 8 speakers including subwoofer, and external amplifier, a 4.2-inch color Multi-Information Display, Blue Link® Connected Car Services, Blue Link® connectivity  and guidance packages, and wireless device charging.

Kona’s exterior is designed to exude adventure, power and elegance for the niche, while showing a willingness to take on soft-road activities. Kona plays to Hyundai’s family identity with a cascading grille, featuring a sporty mesh pattern, flanked by flared, wing-like fenders that dominate the front visage. 

The sub-compact Kona measures 164.0 inches long, 70.9 inches wide and 61.0 inches high on a 102.4-inch wheelbase, providing a forgiving minimum ground clearance of 6.7 inches. The lightest Konas weigh in with a curb-eight of 2890 pounds and the heaviest with the turbo engine can reach 3276 pounds. 

The distinctive features of the exterior continue inside with a strong horizontal character line creating a wide and spacious feel. The sleek and simple layout interior incorporates advanced infotainment features and a standard floating seven-inch touchscreen. HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) controls are surrounded by soft, fluid details that contribute to a sensuous experience and enhance the comfort-focused environment.

The cabin shows average-but-not spacious room for the niche, with front headroom of 38.0 inches (with sunroof and 39.6 without it) and rear headroom of 37.8 inches. Legroom is comfortable up front at 41.5 inches and tight as expected in back at 34.6 inches. Shoulder room is generous at 55.5 inches in row one, and 54.5 in row two.

Kona targets efficiency with its powertrains and offers a choice of two gasoline engines. On the SE, SEL and SEL Plus trims a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson engine is standard, and produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft. of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Limited and Ultimate trims offer the Gamma 1.6-liter 4-cylinder direct-injected, turbocharged engine generating 175 HP and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. The turbo engine is coupled to a seven-speed EcoShift® dual-clutch manual transmission.

The 2.0-liter engine is rated at 27mpg in city driving and 33mpg on the highway for FWD and 25/city, 30/highway for AWD; and the 1.6 turbo that powered my test ride was rated at 28/city and 32/highway for FWD and 26/city, 29/highway for AWD. I averaged 27.2mpg during a week of mixed-use runs. Acceleration is predictable and confident, with hill ascends and passing achieved easily. On the track, a steady 7.7-second zero-to-60mph dash and 16.1-second quarter-mile were accomplished.

The 2020 Hyundai Kona is offered in five trims (SE, SEL, SEL Plus, Limited and Ultimate). The SE starts at $20,300 with the 2.0-liter engine and 6-speed automatic transmission in FWD, and ranges to $27,950 for the Ultimate trim I tested with the 1.6-liter turbo and 7-speed EcoShift Dial Clutch transmission in AWD.

In Surf Blue exterior paint and a Gray interior, my Ultimate tweaked up with AWD for $1400. The Ultimate trim was so well-packed with standard equipment that only all-weather carpeted floor mats were added for $165 and mudguards were installed for $120. With an $1175 Freight charge added, my 2020 Hyundai Kona Ultimate stickered at $30,810 for the top-of-the line and seemed to be well in-line with the luxury and quality that were included in the package. You can also get into a lesser-scale Kona for $8,000 less, and Retail Cash Bonuses of up to $2500 may be available from your local dealer, with zero-percent financing options also offered.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>

Great weather goes a long way when having an outdoor automotive event…a long way.  In a year like no other, Carlisle Events welcomed a passionate group of buyers and sellers to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds for Fall Carlisle and “off the charts” weather was on the menu all five days.  From Wednesday, September 30 to Sunday, October 4 mother nature gave everyone something to remember.  The visuals weren’t just spectacular, the event itself was too.  Needless to say, those who were able to be part of Fall Carlisle 2020 went home happy. 

One of the coolest features about an event like Fall Carlisle is that those who come to sell, arrive early…like really early.  A lot of times, vendors and midway partners are coming to Carlisle upwards of one week prior to the event.  This offers ample time to unload, set up and showcase their wares.  It also allows everyone who comes to sell a chance to peruse the grounds and do some pre-event wheeling and dealing to boost inventory from or mix and mingle with their fellow vendors.

An event like Fall Carlisle is all about selling, either within the automotive flea market, midway or as part of the car corral, but for 2020, Fall Carlisle took on some added special features.  At Fall Carlisle 2020, the spotlight shined on “Anymotive vending” and the AACA car club.  Anymotive is a fun phrase coined to call out the vendors and their stuff that might not be car themed but still powered by an engine.  This includes (and was seen/sold at the event) items like lawn mowers, coolers, generators, weed whackers, power washers and more.  These vendors have always been part of the automotive flea market, but for 2020, their stuff meant even more to those who were buying or selling.   

For the AACA car club, 2020 meant a major hurdle to club promotion and participation.  Their Fall Hershey meet was canceled as were many other key events for the club, but with Fall Carlisle happening, the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and the main stage made for a perfect spot for them to showcase some cool vintage cars, motorcycles and promote their 2021 event in Chocolate Town, USA!  In addition to their cool cars and recruiting efforts, there were many AACA vendors peppered in and around the automotive flea market too, meaning more pre-war pieces, parts, merchandise and collectibles for sale.

Something else that made Fall Carlisle 2020 so special was the fact that people who came to Carlisle to sell were motivated to do so, while those looking to buy were also eager to spend.  This was true within the car corral, the automotive flea market, midway AND the adjacent two-day classic and collector car auction powered by Carlisle Auctions.  Folks were also in a giving mood at this and all events on the Carlisle schedule, as donation tins and bins were set up with offerings benefiting Project SHARE and the United Way of Carlisle & Cumberland County respectively.  Project SHARE’s vision is ‘Nourishing Our Community…Awakening Hope,’ while United Way’s donations go directly to local non-profit organizations in the Carlisle community that were impacted by COVID-19.

While 2020 is a wrap, 2021 is already in the planning stages.  Fall Carlisle 2021 runs September 29-October 3 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds.  In addition, the two-day auction returns too, spanning September 30-October 1 at the Carlisle Expo Center.  Learn more at www.CarlisleEvents.com.

When Carlisle Auctions last offered an event it was in February and things as we knew it then were fairly normal.  Little did anyone know, it would be more than seven months between events with some first-ever cancelations mixed in.  Since knowledge is power, those seven months were used to learn, monitor and strategize ways to best host an in-person auction.  Backed by industry support, a solid set of health/safety guidelines and a hungry core of bidders and sellers, Carlisle Auctions successfully hosted and executed its two-day Fall Carlisle auction (October 1 & 2) at the Carlisle Expo Center. 

Powered by two great partners, the AACA Museum, Inc. and Classic Auto Mall, over 400 lots of all eras or production crossed the block.  More than ever before, dozens of pre-war consignments were available, with many selling.  Also highly sought after were muscle cars both past and present.  Carlisle Auctions even ran a nice mix of modern rides, including the top seller, a 2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Midwest Automotive Design Passage Van.

Another great feature of the Fall Carlisle auction was an all-truck hour on October 1 at around 5 p.m.  While the top four don’t include any of the more than two dozen trucks that crossed the block, it was a widely popular feature that will absolutely return to a future event.  The top selling truck of the group ended up being a 1947 Kaiser Street Rod truck at $55,100.  This truck came to Carlisle Auctions via the partnership with the AACA Museum, Inc.

As noted in the headline, the sell through rate and dollars generated were a stunning result for the Carlisle Auctions team given world events and more than anything, a testament to their efforts and the passion of those who participated in the auction.  63% of all consignments sold, with $4.4 million in total sales.  Sales totals do include all buyers and sellers fees. 

Top 4 at Fall Carlisle 2020:

1. 2018 Mercedes Benz Sprinter Midwest Automotive Design Passage Van - $91,000
2. 1970 Buick GSX - $80,250
3. 1967 Nova SS - $65,000
4. 2012 Bentley Continental Flying S - $63,600

While those are the top four selling lots, there are many more vehicles still available via the Classic Auto Mall still for sale showroom.  Full results for the auction are available at http://CarlisleAuctions.com.  In addition, vehicles that are still for sale will be available online for a few weeks following the event and noted by a special graphic within the listing.  Finally, while the Fall 2020 auction has concluded, the Carlisle Auctions team is already prepping for 2021.  At this time, the first scheduled auction is February 19-20 in Lakeland, Florida as part of Winter AutoFest.  Following that event, the auction team returns to action in Pennsylvania as part of Spring Carlisle 2021.  The spring auction is April 22-23.

First launched by the Rover Co. in 1948, Land Rover has earned a 72-year reputation for delivering tough, durable, go-anywhere, 4-wheel-drive utility vehicles without sparing comfort or tech. Now known as Jaguar Land Rover Automotive PLC, and owned by parent Tata Motors of India, Land Rover continues to produce luxurious, safe, sturdy, high-tech and high-ticket off-roaders.

That tradition takes another step with the all-new Land Rover Defender, bringing back the badge (originally marketed from 1983-2016) with a new body structure, all-new technologies and proven hardware. Defender is a luxury four-wheel drive off-road SUV that is rugged, upmarket and re-imagined for the 21st century.

Playing on its iconic silhouette and shape, Defender is newly engineered for increased all-terrain capability and toughness. With a rugged modular interior providing comfort, capability and connectivity tech, Defender attends to its niche while remaining Land Rover luxurious and amenity packed. My test Defender 110 was outfitted with All Wheel Drive, Electronic Air Suspension, 8-speed Automatic Transmission, Auto-dimming interior rear view mirror, Garage Door Opener (HomeLink®), Wireless Device Charging, Keyless Entry, Connected Navigation Pro, 10-inch Touchscreen, Hill Launch Assist, Electric Power Assisted Steering, Dynamic Stability Control, Low Traction Launch, Electronic Traction Control, Roll Stability Control, Cornering Brake Control, Hill Descent Control and much more.

Defender’s rugged architecture employs minimal front and rear overhangs, with a purposeful upright stance and Alpine light windows in the roof, while retaining its iconic side-hinged rear tailgate and externally mounted spare wheel. That ruggedness is embodied in a package that measures 77.4 inches long, 78.6 inches high and 79.1 inches high on a 119.0-inch wheelbase, with a front overhang of 33.3 inches. Curb weight runs from 3815 to 4940 for the 110 model I tested, and some trims beef up to as much as 5165 lbs with the larger engine.

The Defender interior is an upscale, capable, comfortable, intuitive environment. Cabin features include, leather gearshift and steering wheel, carpet mats, two-zone Climate Control, cargo cover, footwell lights, rear reading lights, 40:20:40 folding rear seats, 8-way semi-powered front seats, Ebony fabric seats with Ebony/Ebony interior and such Driver Assistance tech advances as Blind Spot Assist, 3D Surround Camera

Cruise Control and Speed Limiter, Driver Condition Monitor, Lane Keep Assist, 360⁰ Parking Aid, Traffic Sign Recognition, Adaptive Speed Limiter and Wade Sensing.

With 5/6 seating or 5-plus-2 seating, Defender supplies 40.6 inches of front row headroom, 40.4 in row two and 40.7 in row three. Legroom is 39.1 inches in front, 39.1 in row two and only 20.5 in the third row, while shoulder room comes in at a spacious 60.8, 59.2 and 48.3.

U.S. customers can choose between a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, badged P300, and a 3.0-liter six-cylinder Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrain, badged P400. The P300 powertrain, which produces 296hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, uses an advanced twin-scroll turbocharger for smooth performance and efficient power delivery, The P400 inline-six MHEV powertrain harvests energy normally lost during deceleration and redeploys it to optimize performance to provide 395hp and 406-lb ft of torque. Both engines are paired with a smooth and responsive eight-speed ZF® automatic transmission and twin-speed transfer box, to deliver a set of low-range ratios essential for towing or off-road driving when more control is required.

In tests, my 2.0-liter, estimated at 18mpg/city and 21mpg/highway, averaged 19.3mpg, and at the track, we accelerated from zero to 60mph in 8 seconds-flat (hand-timed) during a 16.3-second quarter-mile. The sturdy short, long arms (SLA) double wishbone front suspension with an integral link rear was comforting and supple, and the Electronic Power Assisted Rack and Pinion Steering was All-Terrain attentive and in-town attentive, though loose at high speed.

The 2020 Land Rover Defender starts at $49,900 for the Standard P300 110 model (296-hp), moves up to $62,250 for the P400 with 395-hp and tops out at $80,900 plus destination and delivery charges for the 110X trim.

My 2020 Defender 110S (one step up from the base model) with the base 296-hp P300 powertrain, started at $53,350 and tweaked up from Standard with 19-inch 6-spoke, Gloss Silver Finish wheels, auto high beam assist lights, Ebony Grained leather and Robust Woven Textile seat facings with Ebony interior, interactive driver display sound system and much more. Pangea Green exterior paint added $710. The $4800 Explorer Pack added front and rear classic mudflaps, matte black hood decal, wheel arch protection, raised air intake, Expedition roof rack, exterior side-mounted gear carrier and spare wheel cover. Off-road and towing packs are extra, but my ride uptweaked for comfort and convenience, adding a Meridian™ Sound System, Premium cabin lighting and front console refrigerator for $895, the Cold Climate Pack (heated windshield, washer jets, power wash and steering wheel) for $700, and Three-Zone Climate Control with Rear Cooling Assist for $1075, also adding Cabin Air Ionization ($100) and Air Quality Sensor ($75). SiriusXM Radio ($300) and WiFi Enabling with Data Plan ($360) were selected and The Driver Assist Pack was also added, with Clear Exit Monitor, Adaptive Cruise Control and rear Traffic Monitor for $1275. Adding Delivery and Destination charges of $1350, my Defender 110S stickered at $64,990.

> Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.

Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years. </I>