If there’s one clear sign that things aren’t going so well over at Nissan, it’s with their latest compact SUV: the X-Trail Plug-In Hybrid. Known as the Rogue in the United States, where it’ll be sold first, Nissan basically did a lazy job by just installing a new grille onto the existing Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and calling it a day.
To recall, the Outlander and the X-Trail (Rogue) do share the same platform, but at least there has been some attempt to give it some differentiation be it through design, interior, and packaging. In fact, the X-Trail is available with the e-Power drivetrain which Nissan says is not suitable for the North American market.
However, for Nissan’s first-ever plug-in hybrid offering in the United States, they basically got an Outlander PHEV and slapped on a new grille and badges.
Like its Mitsubishi equivalent, the Nissan X-Trail PHEV combines two electric motors, a 20-kWh lithium-ion battery, and a 2.4-liter gasoline engine.
The system seamlessly blends output from the motors and gas engine to deliver the performance efficiency demanded by the driver at any time. It offers all-electric driving for quiet, efficient everyday trips (up to 61 kilometers), plus the versatility of gas-hybrid driving to go farther.
The battery, when plugged into a house outlet can be charged in 7.5 hours. And because of its small-ish battery, fast charging (DC charging) is not possible.
The total system output is rated at 248 horsepower and 436 Nm of torque, oddly enough, lower than the refreshed Outlander PHEV. All-wheel drive is also standard issue as are seven drive modes that optimizes both power delivery and torque distribution.
Inside, the X-Trail PHEV standard three-row seating. The driver has a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and an optional 10-inch heads-up display. A 9-speaker Bose sound system is also an available option.
Keeping devices charged is a cinch with a standard wireless phone charger and front and rear USB ports. Optionally, it also has a pair of 120-volt, 1,500-watt power outlets that can operate small appliances.
For now, the X-Trail (Rogue) PHEV has been confirmed for the United States where it will go on sale in 2026. It is not known if it will be offered elsewhere after.
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