Nissan e-Power: The Japanese Automaker’s Future Pillar

• Next-generation Rogue will be available with an e-Power powertrain and ICE.

• Infiniti will tweak a Rogue hybrid e-Power for its own use in the not-too-distant future.

• e-Power combustion engine does not drive the wheels, feeds the battery instead.

• Late 2026 is when we can expect the Rogue hybrid e-Power to arrive in Canada.

---

Nissan’s third-generation e-POWER technology is coming to North America, and it may very well change everything. In Europe, it debuted on the Qashqai, and it’s officially on the way for late 2026.

We’ll first get to sample it in the next generation Rogue which should prove to be not only a welcome addition to the line-up, but a sigh of relief for dealerships and another reason for consumers to consider the Rogue.

The technology was launched nearly a decade ago, and the latest generation will slowly but surely make its way into almost all Nissan and Infiniti models sold. This new iteration has been re-engineered to deliver better fuel efficiency, in particular on the highway, where North Americans spend far more time than Europeans and Asians. It also produces lower emissions and quieter operation.

The somewhat disturbing Nissan Rogue PHEV, a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, builds a temporary bridge between the now (no electrified models) and the near future, which will feature an increasingly electrified portfolio. Nissan admits it serves only to fill a need and will likely be marketed for only a few years, as few as two.

Like traditional hybrids but with a lesser common approach, e-Power links the gaps between conventional combustion, hybrid, and full electrification without the need to plug in.

Unlike conventional hybrids, e-POWER uses a petrol engine solely as a generator, sending electricity directly to the drive motor and charging the battery when needed. This was the same strategy GM used 15 years ago with the Volt. The difference is that e-Power will not suffer the same fate as the Chevy.

The third-generation system advances this concept with a new 5-in-1 modular power unit that integrates key components to save weight and reduce noise. Combined with an all-new 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine, system output is set at 202 hp. The 1.5-litre engine feeds a 2.1 kWh battery, which in turn powers the front-mounted electric drive motor. On the Qashqai, the result is a WLTP fuel consumption figure of 4.5 L/100 km, a potential range of 1,200 km, and reduced CO₂ emissions of 102 g/km.

While the Qashqai was a popular small SUV for Nissan in Canada, it will not be returning. The next-generation Rogue will be “powered” by the same ICE motor and battery combination as the affectionately called QQ. The difference for the Rogue will be that it will feature two electric motors, one on each axle, for standard AWD traction.

At this point, Nissan has not shared electric motor output figures; however, we can expect it to be greater than the QQ’s 202 hp. Our brief time with the QQ e-Power showed promise, with low NVH, smooth operation, and overall performance.

Infiniti shared images of its new entry-level SUV, which we can’t share in turn, and it certainly looks like a refined, sportier Rogue. With good reason, Infiniti is very enthusiastic about competing with other premium starter SUVs such as the Audi Q3 and Lexus NX.

Perhaps most exciting for fans of the brand, the X-Terra is on its way and will be offered for the 2028 model year. Its arrival will be accompanied by the introduction of a new pickup available with both ICE and hybrid power. Although it wasn’t said in so many words, if the new pickup will get an electrified powertrain, we can safely assume the X-Terra will too.

Finally, Nissan wants us to remind everyone that they are not going anywhere. They recognize that times have been tough, but the reality is that they are fully committed to their Fast Forward plan. If the situation were as dire as reported, they could not be actively preparing to introduce a new Infiniti model per year and to revamp its powertrains, as well as launch a new X-Terra.

I, for one, am hopeful and confident that Nissan will bounce back. Whether they match the glory of the 1990s and 2000s remains to be seen; however, the plan appears promising.