Nissan Once Built A Rogue Just For Dogs

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Nissan Rogue shown astatine nan New York International Auto Show 2018, astatine nan Jacob Javits Center.

Miro Vrlik Photography/Shutterstock

In 2017, Nissan unveiled a one-off task SUV called nan Rogue Dogue astatine nan New York International Auto Show (which had better cars successful nan Tuner Dungeon than nan automakers upstairs successful 2025). Unlike its different conception vehicles aimed astatine capacity aliases technology, this 1 was made wholly for pets. Nissan had surveyed 400 canine owners successful nan U.S. and discovered that 83% believed it was conscionable arsenic important for their pets to beryllium safe and comfortable successful a car arsenic quality passengers. 

Based connected that feedback, Nissan worked pinch Dennis McCarthy, nan "Fast & Furious" movie bid car coordinator, to toggle shape a Rogue SL into a dog-friendly prototype. The Rogue Dogue's modifications turned nan SUV's rear cargo abstraction into a mobile penthouse for pets. The interior was fitted pinch durable, easy-to-clean materials and incorporated an array of customized features. Safety was besides addressed pinch clip-in harness mounts successful some nan cargo area and nan 2nd row.

The clever features that made it unique

What made nan Rogue Dogue guidelines retired was really galore practical, dog-centered features it integrated into a modular Rogue SUV. For owners pinch elder dogs aliases pets that struggled pinch jumping, nan slide-away ramp became 1 of nan astir appealing elements. Once inside, dogs could remainder connected a secured furniture designed for comfortableness and stability. Nissan besides installed a hammock-style spot screen for nan 2nd row, which gave bigger dogs much abstraction and kept hairsbreadth and ungraded contained.

Hydration and feeding were besides considered. The fold-down nonspill nutrient and h2o bowls kept meals organized during agelong trips. The rear compartment included a retention drawer for treats, toys, aliases leashes, on pinch a first-aid kit and a side-mounted poop container dispenser. Heated aerial vents ensured dogs riding successful nan backmost stayed comfortable, while nan removable civilization partition kept them safely successful spot if nan conveyance stopped suddenly.

Perhaps nan astir astonishing characteristic was nan built-in 360-degree ablution and dryer system. Using a 10-gallon h2o vessel and a hoop-shaped ablution wand, owners could rinse their pets aft hikes aliases formation outings, past usage nan heated blower to barren them disconnected earlier re-entry. Added cameras gave drivers a measurement to grounds their pets' antics for later viewing. Taken together, these thoughtful specifications showed really nan Rogue Dogue was a well-planned creation aimed astatine making pet recreation safer, cleaner, and much enjoyable. If thing else, they guarantee your acquisition does not make this database of the worst stories while walking pinch a pet.

Why nan Rogue Dogue stayed a concept

Dog accessories successful nan Nissan Rogue Dogue compartment

Despite nan buzz it generated, Nissan ever positioned nan Rogue Dogue arsenic a one-off prototype alternatively than a production-ready model. Outfitting a Rogue pinch ramps, retention drawers, a ablution system, and dispensers inevitably reduced disposable cargo space, limiting its practicality for mundane buyers. The other weight besides impacted performance. Reviewers of nan follow-up Rogue Dogue 2 successful 2018 noted that nan modifications made nan SUV consciousness little refined compared to a modular Rogue, pinch nan 2.5-liter motor struggling nether nan added equipment.

Still, surveys showed location was a beardown interest. More than 75% of canine owners said pet-focused features would power their buying decision. Nissan hinted that galore of nan modifications were technically imaginable to adhd to accumulation models, though compromises successful abstraction would remain. Even so, nan institution made clear location were nary contiguous plans to commercialize nan Rogue Dogue aliases waste it arsenic a package.

Instead, nan task served arsenic a objection of really automakers could deliberation beyond quality passengers and creation pinch pets successful mind. It besides built affirmative attraction for nan Rogue during a play erstwhile it was Nissan's top-selling exemplary successful nan U.S. It's still very popular, pinch past year's exemplary being described arsenic nan most crossover crossover to ever crossover. While nary accumulation Dogue ever deed dealerships, nan conception helped push nan speech astir pet-friendly cars guardant and near galore canine owners wishing specified features were much wide available.

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