Looks like it's going to be the Escape. Altima was off the list as soon as we looked at it, too big and not what we wanted. Drove the Escape and the Rogue. Neither of them were anything special on the road and we didnt notice any real difference in the engines or handling. We liked the interior of the Rogue better but, unfortunately for Nissan, the thing is one giant blindspot, my wife couldn't see behind her and the back window is a joke. So by process of elimination, the Escape wins.
I guess I'm excited to get something new, but this choice (IMO the best of our options) does not really excite me.