Nissan is making a pretty bold call with the next-generation Rogue, and honestly, it feels like the kind of move the brand needed. Instead of rolling out the new Rogue with a familiar gas engine right away, Nissan will launch it late this year as a hybrid-only model built around its e-Power system. For a vehicle that has long carried the brand in the U.S., that says a lot about where Nissan thinks the market is headed. According to Automotive News, Nissan sees the hybrid-first strategy as a major part of getting the Rogue back on stronger footing in America.

What makes this interesting is that e-Power is not your typical hybrid setup. The gas engine does not directly drive the wheels in the usual way, which gives the Rogue more of that smooth, electric-style response Nissan has been talking up. That could end up being a real selling point in a segment packed with strong players like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Automotive News also reported that Nissan Americas Chairman Christian Meunier is confident in the approach, saying, “We’re late to the hybrid party, but we’re bringing a best-in-class product.”

At the same time, Nissan is not walking away from traditional buyers overnight. The current-generation gas Rogue will stick around for about another year at a lower price point, which is a smart move for keeping showroom traffic alive while giving shoppers a more affordable option. Then in spring 2027, Nissan will begin U.S. production of the new gas-powered Rogue in Smyrna, Tennessee, with the e-Power version expected to follow there as quickly as possible. That staggered rollout gives Nissan some breathing room while it ramps up what it hopes will become the volume leader.

The bigger picture here is that Nissan is betting heavily on the Rogue to regain momentum. Automotive News reports that Nissan expects e-Power to account for more than half of Rogue sales within the next couple of years, and if that happens, it could help push annual U.S. volume back into the 250,000 to 300,000 range. That is an ambitious target, but not an unrealistic one if the hybrid delivers the refinement, fuel savings, and everyday drivability buyers now expect. For Nissan, this is more than just a powertrain update. It is a reset for one of its most important nameplates.