Nissan has provided further details about the third-generation e-POWER system in its 2027 Rogue Hybrid, introducing a series-hybrid configuration that uses electric motors exclusively to drive the wheels while a gasoline engine generates electricity. The new SUV is the first e-POWER model offered by Nissan in the United States and has an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy of 38 miles per gallon.
In an announcement on November 10, Nissan said its engineers conducted more than one million miles of real-world testing to adapt the hybrid system to North American driving conditions. The Rogue Hybrid SR with Tech Package is currently available, with additional trim levels expected to arrive in January 2027.
Series-Hybrid System Uses Electric Motors for Propulsion
Unlike conventional hybrid vehicles that typically combine an electric motor and gasoline engine to drive the wheels, Nissan’s e-POWER technology uses a series-hybrid arrangement.
Two electric motors provide all the vehicle’s driving power, while the gasoline engine operates exclusively as a generator to supply electricity to the battery and electric motors. Drivers do not need to plug in the vehicle and can refuel it at conventional gasoline stations.
Because propulsion comes directly from the electric motors, the system does not require a conventional transmission.
Nissan says this arrangement provides smooth acceleration without traditional gear changes or transmission-related delays.
Christian Spencer, senior manager of Marketability at Nissan Technical Center North America, explained how the system operates under different driving conditions.
Around town, hybrid e-POWER can often run on battery power alone. The engine will turn on when it’s needed, like when you’re merging onto the freeway.
Brandon LaBorde, senior manager on Nissan’s Chassis Performance team, highlighted the driving characteristics of the transmission-free configuration.
There’s no transmission shift shock, no gear selection delay.
The Rogue Hybrid also offers six driving modes, including Sport, Off-Road and Personal. The Personal setting allows drivers to adjust steering feel, regenerative braking intensity and throttle response.
Electric All-Wheel Drive Delivers 38 MPG Combined
The 2027 Rogue Hybrid SR AWD has EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings of 41 mpg in city driving, 36 mpg on highways and 38 mpg combined.
Dual-motor electric all-wheel drive comes standard across the Rogue Hybrid lineup. The system continuously monitors driving conditions and can adjust torque distribution between the front and rear wheels.
According to Nissan, it can also apply braking force independently at individual wheels when detecting traction loss, helping maintain stability on slippery or uneven surfaces.
The SUV additionally features Nissan’s e-Pedal technology, which enables one-pedal driving and can bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
When the driver releases the accelerator, regenerative braking slows the vehicle and recovers energy. Releasing the accelerator fully also activates the conventional friction brakes to complete the stop. Drivers can override the system using the brake pedal whenever necessary.
Nissan describes the Rogue Hybrid as the only vehicle in its class to offer this particular one-pedal driving capability. The company’s comparison is based on AutoPacific vehicle segmentation and excludes battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models.
More Than One Million Miles of North American Testing
Although the Rogue Hybrid is the first e-POWER vehicle sold in the US, Nissan has used the technology internationally since its introduction in 2016.
The company says it has sold nearly two million e-POWER vehicles across 68 countries.
For the North American launch, engineers tested prototypes in a range of demanding environments, including Minnesota snowstorms, Nevada heat waves and high-altitude conditions in Colorado.
The testing programme focused on adapting the hybrid system to the different driving patterns and road conditions encountered by US motorists, particularly sustained highway operation.
Spencer said the development programme placed particular emphasis on maintaining efficiency during highway driving.
We tuned it to maintain efficiency in a variety of highway conditions, which is critical for American drivers.
Nissan Expands Its Electrified Powertrain Portfolio
The 2027 Rogue Hybrid represents an important expansion of Nissan’s electrified vehicle strategy in North America. By using electric motors for propulsion while retaining a gasoline engine for electricity generation, the e-POWER system offers an alternative to conventional hybrid and plug-in hybrid configurations.
The combination of electric all-wheel drive, regenerative braking and conventional refuelling is intended to deliver electric-style driving characteristics without requiring external charging infrastructure.
With the SR model already available and additional versions expected in January 2027, Nissan is preparing to introduce its e-POWER technology to a broader segment of the US SUV market.