2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid First Drive Review: e-Power to the People

e-Power Makes the Magic Happen

The beating heart of the 2027 Rogue Hybrid is Nissan’s third-generation e-Power system, an innovative electrified drivetrain that is surprisingly different from what rivals like Ford, Honda, Hyundai and even Toyota offer these days. But just because this setup is unique does not mean it’s ineffective, oh no.

For the first time, Nissan is offering e-Power in the U.S. Around 2 million of these have already been sold in some 68 countries since 2016, and now we finally get a taste of the technology and it’s surprisingly sweet.

This is a gasoline-electric powertrain, though there is zero need to plug the Rogue in. In fact, you can’t; just put gas in the tank and drive. But what sets e-Power apart from rival systems is that this is a pure series hybrid, meaning the engine is not connected to the wheels in any way. In fact, there’s no transmission in the Rogue Hybrid at all.

The internal-combustion engine simply spins a generator to charge the 1.67-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack or run the Rogue Hybrid’s two electric motors. They provide standard all-wheel drive and a very respectable 225 horsepower.

This latest generation of e-Power has been tuned for North American driving conditions and is centered around a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder. This is a brand-new engine design that has not been used in any other applications and is in no way related to the 1.5-liter three-cylinder found under the hood of conventional Rogues. This extra development work was done to optimize the hybrid model’s fuel economy, to help it deliver 42% thermal efficiency, the highest of any engine in the U.S. according to Nissan.

Overall, this new electrified powertrain is estimated to deliver up to 41 miles per gallon in the city, 36 highway and 38 MPG combined in the 2027 Rogue Hybrid SR trim. Expect 41, 35 and 37 MPG, respectively, in fancier SV and Platinum models. There is nothing wrong with those figures, which are very comparable to what the 2026 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and 2027 Honda CR-V Hybrid provide, though the super-economical RAV4 can be a few miles per gallon thriftier depending on the model. The Rogue, however, provides far greater refinement and likely even more giddy-up than the Toyota.

Strong Performance, Shocking Refinement

This Nissan’s horsepower output is impressive and its fuel economy extremely competitive, though the Rogue Hybrid’s acceleration and refinement are even more remarkable. The automaker promises best-in-class acceleration, with a 0-to-60 time of just 6.4 seconds, a legitimately quick showing for any kind of vehicle, hybrid or otherwise.

Stand on the accelerator pedal and this SUV takes a beat or two to catch its breath – there’s no immediate swell of off-the-line torque like you get in an EV – but after that, the Rogue moves forward smartly and smoothly, getting up to speed with little fanfare. Switching to Sport mode wakes things up noticeably, though the vehicle still doesn’t feel quite as quick as the 0-to-60 figure suggests. This is likely because the powertrain and cabin are so refined.

Heavily masking the sensation of speed, the Rogue Hybrid’s engine is super smooth and exceptionally well isolated. You can hear the three-cylinder politely churning away, but it sounds like it’s far off in the distance, practically the next county. Powertrain sounds in this vehicle are staggeringly low, as is wind and road noise, though you seem to hear more from air rushing around the body and the tires rolling along the pavement than you do from the engine.

A Diamond in the Rough?

Befitting its advanced drivetrain, the 2027 Rogue Hybrid wears appropriately new exterior styling, though not everyone will like it. The bodywork looks appropriately modern if a bit busy, with a hexagonal theme and lots of facets. This motif is echoed in the mesh texture of the grille, the head- and taillamps, and even the wheels.

For extra pizzazz, a range of exterior paint colors is offered, including several two-tone configurations. The Horizon Blue Metallic hue, in particular, is supposed to bring to mind the sunrise over ocean waves.

Similarly, that kickup in the beltline at the D-pillar was inspired by the slopes of Mount Fuji. There’s even a subtle cloud motif in the glass that looks like it was pulled from an old woodblock print. This design flourish also mirrors the Nissan name, which means two-three in Japanese, hence the five clouds.

You Won’t Believe It’s a Nissan

Just like with the redesigned Leaf EV, Nissan stepped up its game with the Rogue Hybrid’s interior. In the midrange SR trim, this electrified SUV’s cabin is nicely trimmed with plenty of attractive soft plastics, contrast-color stitching, and a clean design. Overall, this cabin is appreciably nicer than even a top-shelf RAV4’s, which has a lot of flat, hard plastic.

You also get seamless displays on the dashboard. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard equipment, a great canvas for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Addressing a major complaint of drivers and journalists alike, physical climate controls are included, though they look a little like an afterthought, being comprised mostly of flat, square buttons.

For motorists who want something bigger, a larger 14.3-inch touchscreen with Google Built-In is available. This should be optional on the SR model and standard in the top-shelf Platinum trim.

The Verdict

The 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid will be offered in a variety of trim levels: SV, SV with the Premium Package, SR, SR with the Technology Package and Platinum. Expect the base model to start around $37,065 including $1,575 in destination fees, though the midrange SR trim with the $4,000 tech package tested here checks out for a little less than 45 grand, which feels like a more-than-fair price.

This electrified SUV is unexpectedly impressive. Thanks to its potent, refined and efficient e-Power drivetrain, upscale interior and overall refinement, the new Rogue Hybrid is easily one of the best vehicles in Nissan’s U.S. lineup, and in several important ways, it even tops rival hybrid utility vehicles like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. Look for this Nissan at dealerships basically right now, with additional trim levels going on sale in January.

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