2008 Nissan Rogue

Slipping successfully into a new niche isn't always easy, even if the market appears to have space for another entrant. Small "crossover" vehicles have become a hot item lately, but Nissan has not participated in that segment, concentrating instead on its larger, more conventional SUVs.

That omission has been rectified for the 2008 model year, as Nissan launches its brand-new Rogue crossover. Ready for sale in mid-September, the Rogue will compete in a category that's expected to score nearly one million sales this year.