According to Nissan's web site you can get the Rogue SL with charcoal leather interior.
The cvt is light years better. My wife had 2009 Altima so I can speak to it. Now the tachometer does register rpm's when accelerating, you'd never know it had a cvt. The CX5 is definitely peppy and sporty, but is that what your mom's looking for? It has a more sports car like ride for sure. The seats in the Rogue are more comfortable too, just my opinion. I did a 9 hour drive to NC for Thanksgiving and I have a bad lower back. Mine has everything except all wheel drive, don't need it down here. It has a full expanded moon roof with electrically retracted cover. All around blind spot monitoring, bose stereo w/sub woofer. Leather etc. Out the door with taxes I paid $26,300.
At least have her test drive it. My wife loves the camera features of my Rogue, buyers remorse on the Sonata.

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