Nissan North America may call it a “bold design with premium touches” but even casual observers of the global car business will pick the new Nissan Rogue Plug-in Hybrid as essentially a rebadged version of Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV.
Set for a formal debut at this month’s LA Auto Show (November 21-30) and a possible preview of Nissan's approach to its upcoming Mitsubishi Triton-based Navara ute, the ‘new’ mid-sizer is little changed from its corporate cousin save for small tweaks to the upper grille, some minor massaging of the tailgate and a black-out treatment for exterior elements including the lower grille, rear diffuser panel and wheel-arch fenders.
Positioned as “an important step in Nissan's electrification roadmap” the Rogue PHEV is powered by the same twin electric motors, 20kWh lithium-ion battery pack and 2.4-litre petrol engine as the Outlander.
According to the USA EPA standard the Rogue offers a 61km EV-only driving (against a claim of 84km for the Outlander in Australia) with claimed overall range at 676km.
But combined power outputs are identical to the Aussie-spec Outlander at 185kW/450Nm, the powertrain seamlessly switching between pure-electric power, internal combustion drive and a combination of the two.
The 2026 Nissan Rogue is offered in SL and Platinum grades with standard features including 20-inch dark-painted wheels, all-LED exterior lighting, soft-touch materials throughout the cabin and acoustically (laminated) front door glass with (available) leather-appointed seats, door illumination and aluminium interior highlight trims on the top-grade model.
That said, early reports out of the US have noted the Rogue’s interior is as per the 2025 model year Outlander PHEV with a 9.0-inch media touchscreen and nine-speaker Bose sound, rather than the MY26 version which incorporates a 12.3-inch multimedia screen and updated 12-speaker Yamaha audio.
CarsGuide contacted Nissan Australia to determine if the new Rogue (due to hit US showrooms in early 2026) is a candidate for inclusion in the brand’s local line-up and a spokesperson told us Nissan does not comment on future product plans.
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