New Nissan Rogue PHEV doesn’t hide its Outlanderishness

Nissan’s newly launched plug-in hybrid SUV is essentially a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which itself is based on the Nissan Rogue.

*The Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid is launching for 2026. – Nissan Canada photo*

Nissan has unveiled the long-awaited Rogue Plug-in Hybrid and it doesn’t try to hide its Mitsubishi roots.

Observers will notice the new Rogue PHEV is essentially a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

For those who aren’t familiar with the Outlander’s origins, that compact SUV is based on the Rogue. The difference is that the Outlander looks quite different from the Rogue, while sharing mechanical bits with it, whereas the Rogue PHEV looks a lot like the Outlander PHEV and almost nothing like the Rogue.

But, since the automotive media tends to be high on the Outlander and Outlander PHEV, that’s no bad move for the Rogue.

Nissan will also return the favour to Mitsubishi later when Mitsubishi launches an electric vehicle based on the new Nissan Leaf.

“The Rogue Plug-in Hybrid is an important step in Nissan’s electrification road map. It delivers the convenience of electric type driving for everyday commutes while maintaining the long-range driving benefits of a gasoline engine. This dual capability reflects Nissan’s commitment to meeting customers’ needs to enjoy the upside of having both an EV and a traditional SUV in a single vehicle which will prepare our customers for a more fully electrified future,” said Ponz Pandikuthira, senior vice president and chief product officer, Nissan Americas, in a news release.

“Introducing our first plug-in hybrid in Canada and the U.S. reinforces our Re:Nissan business strategy to revitalize the product portfolio and expand market coverage.”

Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid electric plug — *The 2026 Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid gets an estimated 61-kilometre electric driving range. – Nissan Canada photo*

About the Nissan Rogue PHEV

The new Rogue Plug-in Hybrid is launching for the 2026 model year and is offered in a single Platinum grade. It’s expected to be available in early 2026.

The powertrain pairs a 2.4-litre gasoline engine and two electric motors. Supplying energy to the e-motors is a 20-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The system generates 248 hp and 332 lb.-ft. of torque and offers up to 61 kilometres of all-electric driving range. Fuel economy is rated at 3.6 Le/100 km.

Intelligent all-wheel drive is standard.

Nissan said the battery can be fully charged in seven and a half hours with at-home Level 2 charging.

Drivers can choose EV, Save or Charge modes, which changes how the system balances battery charge or engine use. Drivers can also choose from two levels of regenerative braking.

The Rogue PHEV also has seven drive modes, which can alter power delivery and torque distribution to the all-wheel-drive system. There’s Normal, Power, Eco, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow and Mud.

The Rogue PHEV also has an e-Step one-pedal driving function.

Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid cabin front — *The Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid has a touch screen, large driver’s screen and a head-up display. – Nissan Canada photo*

Features

A nine-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, a reconfigurable 12.3-inch driver display and a 10-inch head-up display are all standard.

There’s a wireless phone charger, two front USB ports, two rear USB ports and a pair of 120-volt, 1,500-watt power outlets, one in the trunk and one for the rear seats. Nissan said the outlets can operate small electrical appliances.

The Platinum grade also has a nine-speaker Bose audio system, a power panoramic sunroof, leather-appointed seats, heated front and rear seats, heated steering wheel and more.

Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid second-row seats — *The Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid can seat up to seven people. – Nissan Canada photo*

Seating for seven

The Rogue PHEV also gains the Outlander’s three-row seating setup, which is not available on ICE Rogues. This makes the Rogue PHEV a seven-seater.

The second row slides, reclines and folds forward for easy access to the third row.

The rear doors also have pull-up sunshades.

The Rogue PHEV also has a tri-zone automatic climate control system.

Rogue PHEV models equipped with a sunroof have 362 litres of cargo capacity behind the third-row seats, 872 litres with the third-row seats lowered and 1,832 litres with the second and third rows lowered.

A motion-activated power liftgatge is standard and the rear doors open to a 70-degree angle.

Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid sunroof — *The single-grade Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid Platinum includes a sunroof. – Nissan Canada photo*

The Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite of safety features is standard. It includes intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic emergency braking and more.

There’s also an Intelligent Around View Monitor that offers a 360-degree view around the SUV, useful when parking or navigating in tight spaces.

Intelligent cruise control and ProPilot Assist with Navi Link are also part of the package.

The ICE-powered 2026 Rogue will be available in S, SV, Rock Creek and Platinum grades while the Rogue PHEV will only come in Platinum form.

Canadian pricing wasn’t provided. Visit the Nissan Canada website for updates.