Minimal changes have been applied to Nissan's Rogue/X-Trail plug-in hybrid family SUV, when compared with its Mitsubishi Outlander cousin.
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Nissan has shown off its first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) destined for the US market, a lightly revised Mitsubishi Outlander that will be sold as the Rogue Plug-in Hybrid SUV.
Though this particular model is not destined for Australian showrooms, the Rogue is known as the X-Trail locally and the powertrain has already been available under the bonnet of a Mitsubishi since late 2021.
Despite launching next year Stateside, the Rogue PHEV will use the outgoing version of the Outlander PHEV’s powertrain, which pairs a 2.4-litre petrol engine with two electric motors and a 20kWh battery.
This enables a total output of 185kW and electric-only driving range rating of 38 miles – or 61km.
However, the Rogue PHEV deletes the Outlander's CHAdeMO DC fast-charging port – which is less common than Combined Charging System (CCS) or North American Charging Standard (NACS) plugs in the US – leaving a Level 2 connector for AC home charging only.
Mitsubishi has since updated its actual Outlander PHEV – and will launch the facelifted model in Australia in January 2026 – slotting in a larger 22.7kWh battery for a range boost of around 20 per cent to 100km.
Both the Rogue/X-Trail and Outlander share the same Alliance-sourced CMF-CD platform, making the powertrain transplant easier, but Nissan has opted for only minor styling changes compared to the Mitsubishi model.
Eschewing the usual slim fog light and chrome V-motion front grille, the Rogue PHEV features identical front lighting as the Outlander and sports blacked out accents to hide Mitsubishi’s Dynamic Shield signature.
There is a nod to V-motion grille though thanks to a unique upper bumper insert adorned with the Nissan badge and lighting elements.
The blacked-out exterior treatment continues to the side mirrors and 20-inch wheels, but the rear – aside from brand-specific badging – looks identical to the Outlander.
Inside, the Rogue PHEV sports familiar equipment including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, quilted leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and rear-window sunshades – all of which can be found on the Outlander spec sheet.
Notably however, all versions of the Rogue PHEV will be three-row SUVs, unlike the Outlander PHEV that is available in five-seat configuration in lower grades.
The Nissan Rogue PHEV will be the brand's first electrified family SUV in US showrooms, with e-Power hybrid variants set to launch later next year.
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Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
