2026 Nissan Rogue Plug-In Hybrid Review: Electrified Versatile Option
The latest automotive news and reviews, no fluff.
Our daily newsletter delivers the most important stories directly to your inbox every weekday.
Do you recall about 30 years ago when automakers often sold virtually identical vehicles under different brand names with slight modifications? While badge engineering still occurs to some extent, it isn’t quite the same as it once was. The newest addition to the Nissan lineup, the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid, essentially mirrors the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV with only minor alterations.
This isn’t necessarily a negative aspect, as I found out after spending a short time with the SUV. I had never driven the latest Outlander before, though I was always intrigued by it. After experiencing it, I see why Nissan made this decision: the need for a hybrid solution quickly, and the Outlander PHEV is quite impressive. The manufacturer hinted that once their in-house E-Power system is introduced in the next-generation Rogue for the 2027 model year, this Rogue Plug-In Hybrid may vanish just as quickly as it appeared.
However, it could also remain available—Nissan states it is open to customer preferences. In the meantime, here’s what prospective buyers can expect.
**Adam Ismail**
**The Basics**
The Nissan Rogue Plug-In Hybrid will hit dealerships early next year. Like its Mitsubishi counterpart, it comes with a 131-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors—one on each axle, delivering 114 horsepower at the front and 134 horsepower at the rear. The total system output is calculated by Nissan to be 248 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque.
That amount of torque is substantial, especially for a standard SUV such as the Rogue (or, more accurately, the Outlander). With a full tank and a fully charged battery, Nissan estimates a driving range of 420 miles. It can travel up to 38 miles on electric power alone, but the fuel efficiency is somewhat disappointing at 25 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The SUV’s 20-kWh lithium-ion battery is expected to take about 7.5 hours to recharge using a Level 2 charger, which isn’t particularly fast.
**Adam Ismail**
The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid introduces minimal changes to the Outlander’s design. The addition of black and body-colored trim replaces the Outlander’s chrome, a change I personally feel detracts from the original look. Both the real Rogue and the Outlander share the same platform, making it odd that Nissan opted not to use the existing Rogue’s body for the PHEV powertrain—but at least Mitsubishi’s SUV has an attractive appearance.
Inside, I noticed that all the buttons are in Mitsubishi’s font rather than Nissan’s, as switchgear can be costly to replace. However, the infotainment system remains Nissan’s own, though it’s an older version compared to the interface seen in newer models like the Pathfinder and Murano.
**The Interior**
I’ve always thought the Outlander’s interior has potential, especially in the partially tan color option Mitsubishi offers. However, in all black, as in my top-tier Platinum tester, it doesn’t quite impress. The quilted diamond pattern on the leather seats and door inserts is nice, and the materials are decent, though not particularly memorable to the touch.
The Rogue Plug-In Hybrid provides respectable second-row space despite its seemingly compact size. With 38.5 inches of legroom, it matches the gas version of the Rogue and is only slightly behind the Honda CR-V’s 41 inches. Additionally, unlike a standard Rogue, this model offers the option of a third-row seat.
**Adam Ismail**
However, the third row isn’t particularly comfortable; I’ll let our friend Ezra Dyer, an expert on such topics, elaborate on that. The second row must be pushed forward from its most spacious position to provide any legroom for those sitting behind. Nonetheless, it is available and can fold flat when not in use, which could be useful if you need to transport a sixth or seventh passenger during your ownership of this vehicle.
**Adam Ismail**
Interestingly, while Mitsubishi provides the Outlander with a 12-speaker Yamaha sound system—an uncommon name in cars in this region—the Rogue Plug-In features a nine-speaker Bose sound system. I didn’t focus on sound quality during my brief time with the vehicle, but I thought this detail was worth mentioning.
**Driving the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid**
With substantial torque and the capability to seamlessly combine battery power with the four-cylinder engine’s thrust, the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid delivers solid performance within its category. I understand why Nissan chose to follow Mitsubishi’s lead in this case. There’s a one-pedal driving feature called E-Step, which simulates the driving experience of a battery electric vehicle with high regenerative braking, allowing you to generally just use the accelerator, except when coming to a complete stop.
Most of the driving experience is
Other articles
Subaru is uncertain about what should drive the future STI models: TDS
Subaru is examining performance models for the future and indicates that feedback will shape the future of the STI badge.
Police Caution Truck Drivers After Detecting the Return of Those Green "Angry Eyes" | Carscoops
Wisconsin and California are both implementing stricter regulations on modifications to truck windshields for lighting, as citizens pose important inquiries.
Forget manspreading; carspreading is the new urban nuisance. | Carscoops
As SUVs become larger and parking spaces remain unchanged, the continent is experiencing a crunch that is unrelated to emissions testing.
Water Spill Damages Bricks and Leaves Owner with a Repair Bill Equivalent to the Cost of a Used Corolla | Carscoops
Following a small splash that triggered significant warning signals, the leased electric vehicle entered meltdown mode, and Lucid is declining to cover the costs.
2026 Nissan Rogue Plug-In Hybrid Review: Electrified Versatile Option
Nissan required a practical hybrid choice for Rogue customers, so it utilized Mitsubishi's efforts. This has resulted in outcomes that couldn't be much better.