Revolutionary 2025 Release: Nissan Rogue Goes Plug-In Hybrid
Nissan Finally Joins the Hybrid Bandwagon: Introducing the 2026 Rogue PHEV
It’s taken a while, and a bit of a sales slump for its most popular SUV, but Nissan has finally decided to join the hybrid party. The Japanese automaker is adding a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain to the 2026 Rogue compact SUV, which is expected to hit U.S. shores sometime next year. According to Nissan Americas chief planning officer, Ponz Pandikuthira, "this will be our first hybrid vehicle in the U.S. market."
How Plug-In Hybrids Work
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) typically runs on electric power until its battery is almost depleted, at which point it automatically switches over to using a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine. The battery can be recharged conventionally from the outside or through regenerative braking.
A New Direction for Nissan
While Nissan has been offering popular fully electric vehicles (EVs) like the Leaf and the Ariya for years, it’s surprising that it didn’t join the hybrid bandwagon earlier, especially for the Rogue. Competitors like the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V, which offer part-fuel, part-electric power capacity, have seen their sales soaring. Meanwhile, sales of the Rogue have been slumping this year.
A Partnership with Mitsubishi
To address this, Nissan is partnering with Mitsubishi to offer its first-ever electrically assisted car in the U.S. next year. The Rogue will be outfitted with a similar powertrain found in the Mitsubishi Outlander. This means a 2.4-liter gas engine powering the front wheels, while two electric motors create an all-wheel drive system that can work independently or in conjunction with the gas engine. This powertrain delivers 248 horsepower, making the Rogue PHEV more powerful than the existing model’s 201 hp.
What’s Next?
In addition to the Rogue PHEV, Nissan is planning to bring its non-plug-in, e-Power series hybrid technology to the U.S. in 2026. This technology uses electric motors to power the wheels while using the gas engine to charge the battery. This is already available outside of the U.S. and is expected to be a game-changer for the brand.
