Preview: 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid Is a Totally Different Kind of Hybrid

We’re excited to see a new hybrid compact SUV option. In addition to serious fuel savings, the hybrids we’ve tested tend to outperform their nonhybrid counterparts when it comes to acceleration and comfort, too. 

The Rogue is the first true series hybrid sold in the U.S., and its design promises peppier around-town driving than most current hybrids thanks to the instant torque of its electric motors. However, we are familiar with the pitfalls of the setup, which has been used on many plug-in hybrid models that we have already tested, such as the Chevrolet Volt and Honda Clarity, and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), such as the original BMW i3 and an upcoming Ram pickup truck.

In our experience, because a series hybrid’s engine doesn’t have to respond directly to how much the driver’s foot pushes on the gas pedal, those inside the vehicle might experience an odd and unpleasant droning sensation like being on a motorboat. We hope Nissan has put considerable effort into reducing engine noise and vibration.

Future used-car shoppers will be in for some confusion if they’re shopping for a 2026-2027ish Rogue, which could be one of three totally different cars. There’s the 2026 gas-only Rogue, which is largely unchanged from 2021, the 2026 Rogue Plug-In Hybrid that’s actually a reworked Mitsubishi, and an all-new 2027 Rogue Hybrid.

The new Rogue Hybrid has similar dimensions to the current gas-only model, although it appears more chiseled. Think of a cut gemstone versus a rounded pebble. The angles continue throughout the stretched-hexagon grille pattern.

On the entry-level SV trim, 18-inch wheels are standard, while the upper-level SR and Platinum trims get 19-inch wheels. A temporary spare tire is available only on the Platinum, and as an option; all other Rogue Hybrids get a tire repair kit.

Nissan’s designers said they purposefully eschewed chrome trim. How much of the Rogue Hybrid’s exterior is painted the same color as the rest of the body, and how much is glossy black, depends on which trim level you choose. A power rear liftgate with a windshield wiper and heated side mirrors are standard across all models.

These days, it seems that every car has some hidden Easter Egg (for example, the “H” in Morse code on the steering wheel of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, or the tiny Willys MB silhouettes and maps of Detroit hidden in some Jeep models). The Rogue Hybrid offers an introductory lesson in Japanese language and geography: LED headlights arranged in a two-three pattern represent the name of the automaker, as “ni” is two and “san” is three in Japanese, and the triangular C-pillar at the rear is meant to evoke clouds rising above Mt. Fuji.

The Rogue’s interior doesn’t look particularly plush, but it seems simple enough, and that’s what matters in a mainstream compact SUV. We’re glad that Nissan seems to have listened to our complaints about other vehicles and focused on ease of use over flashiness.

For example, if you’ve driven a newer vehicle in the past 10 years, you’ve probably cursed the popularity of shiny “piano black” interior trim that seems to be a magnet for fingerprints and scratches. We’re glad to report that Nissan’s interior designers bragged about swapping piano black for “durable, family-friendly matte materials.”

Yes, there’s a big touchscreen, and an even bigger one is optional. Thankfully, Nissan kept physical buttons and switches for commonly used climate and infotainment functions. Some recent Nissan infotainment systems have been more convoluted than others, so we’re looking forward to seeing how easy the Rogue Hybrid’s is to use.

We’ve only seen photos of the top-of-the-line Platinum trim, which includes extras like quilted seating and soft-touch surfaces, so we’ll be sure to keep an eye on how the more common trims look and feel. Heated seats, remote start, proximity lock/unlock, dual-zone automatic temperature control, rear vents, and wireless phone charging are standard on all Rogue Hybrid models. Each row gets two cup holders and two door-mounted bottle holders.

We’ve already covered what makes the Rogue Hybrid so unique, so let’s get into some details: The gas engine that charges the Rogue Hybrid’s 1.67-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery is a 148-hp, 1.5-liter, turbocharged three-cylinder that’s only used in Nissan’s e-Power vehicles. The front wheels are driven by a 202-hp electric motor, while the rear wheels are driven by a 134-hp electric motor. The total horsepower is 225.

Nissan says the SR should get 40 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 38 mpg combined. Although we’ll put it through our own fuel economy tests, the automaker’s estimates put it an mpg or two ahead of most of its hybrid competitors.

Rogue Hybrid drivers should expect silent, all-electric power at low speeds. At high speeds, the gas engine will kick on to recharge the battery while it’s being depleted more quickly. The series hybrid setup also allows one-pedal driving, just like in a pure electric vehicle, where the regenerative brakes slow the car when you take your foot off the accelerator.

Nissan says the engine is designed to run steadily at a relatively low RPM because it acts as a generator, in contrast to a traditional gas engine that works harder when the driver demands more power. We will keep an eye on what this means for engine noise and vibration.

Every Rogue Hybrid comes standard with automatic emergency braking (AEB) that can detect pedestrians, cyclists, and potential crashes at intersections. Also standard are a whole suite of active safety features, including blind spot warning, lane centering assistance, rear cross traffic warning, and a driver attention monitor. Rear AEB is optional. One interesting extra is that the Platinum trim gets a supplemental front central seat-mounted side-impact airbag.

Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist advanced driver assistance system, which blends lane centering assistance and adaptive cruise control, comes standard even on the base Rogue Hybrid SV. ProPilot Assist with Hands-Off Traffic Jam Support is optional on the SR and standard on the Platinum, and lets the driver take their hands off the wheel during low-speed highway traffic jams. 

ProPILOT Emergency Stop with e-call is standard on the SR and Platinum and can automatically slow the car to a stop and call emergency services if the driver becomes unresponsive after repeated alerts.