Nissan doesn’t sell a hybrid – one of the strangest oversights in the automotive world. That’s about to change. Nissan will introduce a plug-in hybrid version (PHEV) of its Rogue SUV next year.
The company offers a full lineup of gas-powered cars and a pair of electric vehicles (EVs), the Ariya and the Leaf. No one could accuse the company of not innovating — it put the Leaf on sale before Tesla introduced any of its current lineup. But it has lacked a hybrid since discontinuing a short-lived Rogue Hybrid after the 2019 model year.
That will change in 2025. “During the 2025 Nissan Murano reveal event, the automaker confirmed that a PHEV Rogue is coming to the U.S. market in 2025 as a 2026 model,” according to Motor Trend, one of the first to report the news.
Nissan has since confirmed the news to Kelley Blue Book, saying “Rogue is our best-selling vehicle in the U.S. and Canada. Introducing a PHEV version will allow Rogue to grow market share by taking advantage of new and current customers looking for alternative powertrains. We look forward to sharing more information next year.”
What Is a PHEV?
A PHEV functions much like a traditional hybrid, using both a gasoline engine and an electric motor. It differs in that it can recharge from an ordinary wall outlet and drive some distance on electric power alone before using gas. PHEVs seem like a promising bridge between internal combustion-powered cars and electric cars. But a recent study shows they’re not catching on with Americans and remain a small part of the market.
The Rogue PHEV will likely offer something close to 38 miles of all-electric range and be the most powerful Rogue, at around 248 horsepower. How can we offer details so precise on a car that doesn’t exist yet?
Likely to Borrow Mitsubishi Tech
Because it will borrow most of its mechanical parts from a car that does, reports say.
Car and Driver explains, “The Rogue plug-in hybrid will share components with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, as the two crossovers share a platform.” The Outlander PHEV offers one of the longest all-electric ranges of any PHEV. The principal knock against that vehicle is its limited resale value and Mitsubishi’s smaller service network – two things that might go better for a vehicle with a Nissan badge.
The Rogue is the only Nissan among the top 25 best-selling vehicles in the U.S. If Nissan wants to sell a successful hybrid, the Rogue seems like its best shot. The Outlander PHEV’s hybrid drivetrain might be more successful in a Rogue package.
