Nissan’s e-POWER powertrain in the all-new 2027 Rogue Hybrid has been named one of the 2026 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems. The Rogue Hybrid is the first model to bring e-POWER to the US market. In this layout the petrol engine only generates electricity, and the wheels are driven by electric motors alone.

A first US outing for e-POWER

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has announced that the e-POWER system in the 2027 Rogue Hybrid is among the winners of the 2026 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems award. The annual list picks out the strongest powertrains on sale in the US, judged on innovative engineering, power, torque and efficiency.

Nissan says this is the 25th time one of its vehicles has made the list. The Rogue Hybrid is also the first use of e-POWER in the US market. Buyers in other regions already know the system from models such as the Qashqai and X-Trail. Citing AutoPacific segmentation, the company says the Rogue Hybrid is the only hybrid in its class with a 100% electric drivetrain.

“The all-new Rogue Hybrid delivers more of what customers have been asking for, combining the functionality and technology of our best-selling Rogue with an advanced hybrid powertrain that is smoother, quicker and quieter than the competition,” said Ponz Pandikuthira, senior vice president, chief product and planning officer, Nissan Americas.

How the system works

e-POWER is now in its third generation. Nissan says close to 2 million vehicles with the technology have been sold in 68 countries since 2016. For the Rogue, engineers tuned the system specifically for North American driving conditions, speeds, road surfaces and customer habits.

Nissan describes the setup as a 5-in-1 design. A dedicated petrol engine works purely as a generator and shuts off completely when the battery has enough charge. Two electric motors drive the wheels directly. Because there is no transmission and no gear changes, the manufacturer says acceleration is smoother and more responsive.

For the Rogue Hybrid SR, the EPA estimates fuel economy of 41 mpg city, 36 mpg highway and 38 mpg combined (US gallons). That works out to about 5.7, 6.5 and 6.2 l/100 km respectively.

Features aimed at stop-and-go traffic

Nissan highlights two features it says no rival in the class offers. Smooth Stop automatically adjusts brake pressure in the final moment of a stop to reduce head-toss. The e-Pedal function gives one-pedal driving: lifting off the accelerator uses regenerative braking to slow the car all the way to a standstill. Nissan notes that drivers should still watch the traffic and use the conventional brake when needed.

What it means

The Rogue is one of Nissan’s best-selling models in North America. Until now its main hybrid-class rivals have used more conventional hybrid layouts. With the Wards award, e-POWER gets independent recognition just as Nissan launches it in a segment where hybrid sales matter more and more.

Facts: Nissan Rogue Hybrid (2027)

  • Powertrain: e-POWER series hybrid, petrol engine used as a generator, dual electric motors
  • Drive: all-wheel drive (launch SR version)
  • Fuel economy (EPA est., SR): 41 mpg city / 36 mpg highway / 38 mpg combined (approx. 5.7 / 6.5 / 6.2 l/100 km)
  • Trims: SV, SR, Platinum
  • Price from: $35,490 MSRP (SV, excluding destination, tax and options)
  • Availability: US dealers from fall 2026 (limited); full range early 2027

The Rogue Hybrid reaches US dealers in fall 2026, starting with a limited run of the all-wheel-drive SR with the SR Technology Package. The full SV, SR and Platinum line-up is expected in early 2027.

Source: global.nissannews.com