This weekend we were sporting the 2024 Nissan Rogue, platinum edition. Having driven around in the 2024 Rogue prior, we couldn’t help but make comparisons on the upgrade.
The exterior is parallel, minus the “Platinum” badge. What does set it apart is a lot of the finesse we found within the cabin. This included Nissan’s iconic square gear shift that sits short and stout. An awkward hold for me, but a good grip for my partner with the wider palm.
We took in and appreciated all the little cosmetic touches like the dark woodgrain panel over the glove compartment, and the ambient lighting strip with customizable LED lights that ran along the front doors and across the dash.
There were was the modern convenience of Amazon Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and even Goggle assistant. Plus a wireless charging pad, and two ports for c-cable charging. And these actually charged your phone. My recent rides have struggled with the latter, and I found it very frustrating, given the world that we live in relies so heavily on technology in the palm of your hands.
We noticed that even the seats saw an update with the Platinum designation. We felt a more cupped back support, plus more cushioning around the sides. The driver side even got a little lumbar support, and the seat electronically rolls back when you turn off the car and try to leave, thus allowing more legroom to do so. Then after you climb in and take a seat, it moves forward, preparing you for your memory set driving position.
There was also an upgrade in camera quality and well as more cameras overall. While in reverse, the infotainment broadcasts an overhead view of the Rogue, along with an at the tire vantage point. The latter with guiding lines to square up your vehicle to the curb.
It is also paired with automatic adjusting side mirrors that tilt back and down, so that you can see the distance between the curb and your tires. All of which are little luxuries that I often take advantage of, and at the same time granted of in newer vehicles.
However, with all of the above, this still felt like a Rogue. The way the grip of the wheel left in between your hands, how it handles on the road, and the way it drove. Given the increase emphasis on little luxuries it would have been nice if the drive matched the atmosphere within the cockpit. Although we did note the various drive modes for more specialized cruising. This included off-roading, snow, eco, and sport.
Fast and zippy, ideal for rugged driving, the Rogue fits its name. A reliable and steady drive that provided us with safety and reassurance as we drove around downtown, enjoying ourselves last Saturday.
We began the day with lunch at the Italian kitchen. They have a new seasonal, geographic specific menu, available from now until September 19th, that we wanted to try. Grill plates and pastas ideal for sharing. However, seeing as it was the weekend, and we were in time for brunch, decided to double down and enjoy that as well. Using brunch as our appetizer, and the specialty menu as our mains. We had such an amazing meal, which would be recapped in its own post.
After our bellies were full and we felt need to walk things off, we decided to take in one of the various different events happening this weekend. Given our proximity, we decided to check out Granville Street’s Block Party. We are a fan of such free, all inclusive, family friendly events as they offer an inexpensive way to stay entertained, while experiencing a more specific neighbourhood in a different light.
We spent an easy four hours at the event, engaging in all its interactive activity stations, and enjoying the ability to buy alcoholic beverages as you did so. Full review of that is already posted, on its own recap blog.
And when we had our fill of playful fun, taking advantage of the fact that, despite the call for rain, we saw none; we I decided to head home for a bit of a break.
There, we would unbox a bit of mail, including the new wireless, noise cancelling headphones, that partner ordered for me as a gift to use on our upcoming flight to Florida.
There was also two boxes full of instant noodles and drinks that I have been gifted. A generous present to be able to try, taste, test, and review. Pretty excited for that, more on it to come.
Then we took advantage of the clouds and the could-be rain and settled into cozy season early, by playing a few hours of our favourite couch co-op video game Diablo IV. We have been enjoying the new season, so have been putting a lot of extra hours into upgrading our characters.
When time we got ready to head back out for dinner. Our go-to for Persian food in the neighbourhood is Suren on Hastings, in the Burnaby Heights area. So hearing that they have opened their second location in Kitsilano, I felt it would be worth the drive out, to be able to report on it for this blog. However, spoilers, it was not what we had anticipated or hoped for, and the experience was unless then enjoyable. But, you will have to read about it in its own post, coming soon. After our meal, which we still ate our fill of, we went back home to continue our gaming campaign. We played to our hearts content given that this was a Saturday and we had no morning commitments the next day.
And that was our Saturday. Check you next weekend for the next recap!
