Nissan is bringing its e-Power hybrid system to the United States for the first time with the Rogue Hybrid. The system has been available in Japan for 10 years, where more than 1.4 million vehicles use it, but Nissan retuned it for the US market to support harder acceleration and larger vehicles. On the road, the Rogue Hybrid delivers electric-car-like throttle response, quiet cruising, regenerative braking, and an easy one-pedal driving mode.
Electric-car response from a hybrid powertrain
Behind the wheel, it is easy to mistake the Rogue Hybrid for a new electric vehicle—and perhaps for the successor to the premature Ariya. Throttle response is immediate, and the electric motors provide enough torque to get the vehicle moving without fuss. Its 0-to-60-mph (97 km/h) time of 6.4 seconds is not especially quick by 2026 standards, but the power delivery feels smooth.
Nissan has extensive experience tuning one-pedal driving systems, and that expertise is evident here. A button on the center console activates the Rogue Hybrid’s e-Pedal mode. The system allows the vehicle to decelerate more aggressively through regenerative braking, making it possible to drive with minimal use of the brake pedal.
Quiet and smooth on the road
Nissan emphasized the smoothness of the powertrain’s regenerative deceleration with a school-run-style obstacle course. A fishbowl filled with water was attached to a cup holder, and not a drop spilled during the demonstration. The same test with Toyota’s hybrid RAV4 resulted in a less controlled outcome. The RAV4 cannot be driven with one pedal, requiring the driver to use the brake pedal to slow and stop.
Highway acceleration is strong, and the cabin remains quiet at cruising speeds. During rainy and windy conditions, the most noticeable sound came from gusts outside the vehicle rather than from wind noise around it. The engine that powers the generator is also difficult to hear. Its revolutions per minute do not rise particularly high and decrease whenever possible, while passengers may be further insulated from the sound by the infotainment system.
The suspension handled broad road irregularities well, although it was less effective against short, sharp impacts. Low-rolling-resistance tires and California roads that had recently received their first rain in some time contributed to noticeable understeer when entering a roundabout at a somewhat higher speed than usual.
Even so, the Rogue Hybrid’s steering feel was appealing. Combined with the smooth output of its two electric motors and the convenience of one-pedal driving, the system made for a comfortable drive.
Source: arstechnica.com
