There’s a perfectly logical explanation why the "new" Rogue Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t look like any other version of the compact crossover. It’s not really a Nissan. Instead, it’s a straightforward case of badge engineering. The model is essentially a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV with different logos and a revised front grille, designed to align it with newer products, such as the Sentra and Leaf.
It’s highly unusual for a model to gain a plug-in hybrid powertrain so late in its life cycle. The third-generation Rogue has been around for five years, yet only now is Nissan pairing a combustion engine with an electric motor. Although the press release never mentions “Mitsubishi,” the spec sheet makes the connection obvious once you spot the engine’s codename: “MMC [Mitsubishi Motors Corporation] 4B12.”
The 2026 Rogue carries over the Outlander PHEV’s electrified setup, using a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter gasoline engine and one electric motor at each axle. The combined output matches the Mitsubishi's at 248 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The 20-kWh lithium-ion battery pack remains unchanged, delivering the same 38-mile electric range. A full charge takes seven and a half hours using a Level 2 home charger. With the gas tank added, the total driving range reaches 420 miles, which is again identical to that of its Mitsubishi counterpart.
Ironically, Nissan’s first plug-in hybrid for the U.S. market isn’t truly its own product. Sold exclusively with all-wheel drive, the Rogue Plug-In Hybrid offers seven seats as standard and the same number of drive modes: Normal, Power, Eco, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud. Trim levels are straightforward, limited to SL and Platinum.
Both come with a nine-inch touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and four USB ports. Upgrading to the Platinum adds a 10-inch head-up display, a nine-speaker Bose sound system, leather upholstery, second-row manual sunshades, and an electric panoramic sunroof.
Pricing hasn’t been announced, but the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV starts at $42,675, including destination and handling fees. Nissan will show the 2026 Rogue Plug-In Hybrid later this month at the Los Angeles Auto Show before it reaches dealers early next year.
2026 Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid
Although it debuts today, it may not last long. In March, Nissan confirmed that production of the fourth-generation Rogue would begin during Japan’s fiscal year 2026, which runs from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027. When it arrives, the new Rogue will be the brand’s first U.S. model with e-Power technology, where the combustion engine acts solely as a generator to charge the battery. It’s essentially a range extender, as the ICE doesn’t drive the wheels.
The next Rogue will also be offered with a conventional internal combustion engine-only setup and a plug-in hybrid. It remains unclear whether the next PHEV will be developed in-house or if Nissan will once again team up with Mitsubishi.
Source: Nissan
