Nissan Plays Catch-up, Debuts Hybrid Rogue Crossover for 2017

The crossover market isn’t just hot — it’s radiating the brilliant, scorching intensity of a million suns.

Naturally, any automaker with the means to do so would prefer to offer a lineup as diverse as possible, allowing even greater numbers of utility-hungry buyers to fall into its arms. Nissan looked around, saw some spare cash, then looked over at the Toyota RAV4, America’s best-selling compact crossover, with its regular and hybrid variants.

“Gotta get us a hybrid Rogue,” Nissan execs thought.

For 2017, Nissan will offer an electrified Rogue, hoping to attract new buyers to its strong-selling compact crossover. The automaker unveiled the Rogue Hybrid yesterday with a promise that the model will be available before the end of this year.

Nissan anticipates the Rogue becoming the brand’s best-selling model. With this in mind, the automaker set out to boost its appeal, revising the model’s front fascia and adding new standard equipment like LED headlights and taillights, chrome trim and larger wheels on lower-end models. Inside, Nissan aimed for a more “premium” feel with improved fabrics, new door and instrument panel finishers, and a redesigned console and shift knob.

While conventional Rogues carry on with an unchanged powertrain, hybrid models sport a 2.0-liter four-cylinder coupled to a 30 kW electric motor. Available on front- and all-wheel-drive models, the hybrid drivetrain is intended to be unobtrusive, with no impact on cargo or passenger space.

The gas engine’s power rating is 141 horsepower and 144 pounds-feet of torque, while the electric motor generates 40 hp and 118 lb-ft. The combined output is 176 horsepower, or 1 hp more than a conventional 2.5-liter Rogue. An Xtronic continuously variable transmission is standard.

For FWD hybrid models, projected fuel economy rings in at 33 mpg city, 35 mpg highway and 34 mpg combined. Mileage for AWD models is projected at 31 mpg city, 34 mpg highway and 33 mpg combined. That’s the same combined rating as the RAV4 Hybrid.

It’s unlikely the addition of a Rogue Hybrid will knock the RAV4 from its lofty sales pedestal, though Rogue sales have grown each year since its 2007 introduction, reaching 287,190 in the U.S. last year. More drivetrain offerings and a styling refresh can only help the model’s momentum.

It’s also possible that Nissan bigwigs heard the swirling rumors about a possible plug-in hybrid version of the next-generation Honda CR-V, and don’t want to be caught with an unelectrified crossover lineup.

[Image: Nissan]