2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid Prototype Evaluation: Nissan Is Hitting Its Stride

      Joel Feder

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      Nissan is making strides to reshape its identity and image as swiftly as a large corporation can. A key element in this transformation will be the new Nissan Rogue, which shows significant potential.

      Recently, Nissan introduced the new 2027 Rogue featuring a design that is both futuristic and recognizable, a hybrid powertrain that is unlike those of its competitors, and a commitment to paving the way to an electric future.

      Nissan invited me to one of its exclusive testing facilities where I had the opportunity to drive a prototype of the new Rogue, giving me a glimpse of what’s ahead. My initial impression? This is not the Rogue we've come to associate with budget rentals; it could signify the beginning of a new chapter for the automaker, provided they can deliver on their ambitious promises. The new Rogue appears to be an excellent start for the mass market, in my opinion.

      Joel Feder

      Exterior and Interior

      The Rogue I tested in Japan was fully covered in camouflage, inside and out, although photos from its debut are available above.

      We don’t have the exact dimensions yet, but the new Rogue appears slightly wider than the current model, although this may be an optical illusion created by its new grille. The design is both familiar and progressive, yet bold and futuristic, with LED daytime running lights blending into the front grille, sharply creased bodywork flaring at the fenders, a geometric wheel design resembling a star, and an expansive LED taillight. It appears sharper and less economical than today’s Rogue, less rugged than a RAV4, and more sophisticated than the Tucson.

      Inside, the vehicle was mostly draped in black fabric, but I could spot a two-spoke steering wheel equipped with physical buttons. There was a volume knob at the center of the dashboard, a pushbutton gear selector on the left side of the center console, and it was mentioned that a single piece of glass covers a 14.3-inch screen for both the digital gauge cluster and touchscreen infotainment system. The rear seating area, where I placed my backpack, seemed slightly larger than that of the current model, although I wasn’t permitted to sit there. Legroom appeared to be spacious.

      Joel Feder

      Driving Impressions

      The new Rogue will start as a hybrid-only model, but not in the traditional sense that most people associate with hybrids today. Instead of combining a gas engine with an electric motor or transmission like the Hyundai Tucson hybrid, or a gas engine paired with two motor generators like the Toyota RAV4, the Rogue utilizes a battery pack to power the wheels, with a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine acting as a generator for the battery. The gas engine does not connect to the drive wheels. Every Rogue will feature a dual-motor setup with a 150-kW motor in the front and a 100-kW motor in the back. Nissan didn’t disclose final power specifications, but Corporate Executive Product Planner Richard Candler informed The Drive that the Rogue Hybrid produces about 200 horsepower.

      Final fuel economy figures aren’t available yet, but Nissan anticipates that the Rogue Hybrid will be approximately 20% more efficient than the current gas model. Theoretically, this would result in EPA estimates around 33 mpg in the city, 42 on the highway, and 37 combined. There’s no plug-in capability or need to recharge the system; everything operates automatically in the background. Nissan brands this system as e-Power, but to prevent confusion about it being an electric vehicle or requiring charging, it will carry a hybrid badge and be called the Rogue Hybrid e-Power.

      Nissan allowed me to drive today’s Rogue with its (completely unrelated yet ironically similar in displacement) 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine for two laps before transitioning into the new Rogue Hybrid to notice the differences. And what a contrast these two models present.

      The new Rogue Hybrid immediately feels more substantial, likely heavier, but with a weight distribution that feels more centered and lower than that of the current Rogue. It has a solid feel. The steering is surprisingly well-balanced, but don’t expect meaningful feedback.

      Acceleration, both from a standstill and while moving, is smoother, with less surging compared to current models, which attempt to balance a turbocharged engine with variable compression and a continuously variable transmission all at once. There’s ample power for this vehicle and its needs in a competitive market, and its powertrain is distinctly smoother and quieter than the leading competitors in this space.

      The suspension tuning of the Rogue Hybrid appeared slightly firmer than that of the current model, exhibiting fewer bounces, reduced body roll in corners, and more controlled handling overall.

      The new brake-by-wire system engages the brakes early in the pedal travel with minimal progression. While the brakes respond quickly and effectively, it was easy to drive