Nissan revealed the 2022 model year Rogue in Los Angeles Wednesday with the big update being a new 1.5-liter turbocharged variable compression 3-cylinder engine.
The biggest news is the new 3-cylinder is more powerful and fuel efficient than the ute’s previous engine. It’s also mated to a new transmission, critical to the improved fuel economy. The Japanese automaker gave the Rogue a complete makeover — except the engine — for the 2021 model year.
The new powertrain delivers 201 horsepower and 225 pound-feet of torque — an increase of 11% and 24% respectively versus the 2021 Rogue. Even with the increased power, the 2022 Rogue’s estimated fuel economy is 33 mpg combined, an increase of 3 mpg over the 2021 model.
“As the Nissan NEXT transformation continues, the 2022 Nissan Rogue’s all-new powertrain is a proof point of the company’s commitment to investing in its line-up and improving the company’s product, brand and sales power in the U.S.,” said Mike Colleran, senior vice president, Nissan U.S. Marketing and Sales. “Rogue’s new 1.5-liter VC-Turbo adds real-world value while providing more thrill behind the wheel.”
New power in the U.S.
Nissan officials said the new engine will be built in the U.S. at its powertrain plant in Decherd, Tennessee that builds the engines and electric motors for all of Nissan’s vehicles sold in the U.S.
The company noted it’s spent $1.23 billion during the past two years on its U.S. manufacturing operations as part of the aforementioned Nissan NEXT plan, which aims to completely revitalize the brand’s U.S. product portfolio in the U.S.
“The VC-Turbo is the most advanced engine Nissan has ever produced in the U.S.,” said Steve Marsh, senior vice president, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management, Nissan North America, in a statement. “With the new Rogue engine, the Decherd team will continue to deliver top quality powertrains that provide the thrilling driving experience Nissan customers expect from our vehicles.”
Engine history
The variable compression engine got its start — after 20 years of development — in Nissan’s luxury vehicle line-up in 2019 in the Infiniti QX50 as 2.0-liter VC-Turbo 4 cylinder. It became the powerplant for the Nissan Altima shortly after.
Variable compression engines are designed to be flexible, in a manner of speaking, by continuously adjusting its compression ratio to optimize power and efficiency through a multi-link system, the company said.
“The advanced VC-Turbo’s high/low compression ratio technology creates two different driving profiles — dynamic performance and eco/efficient, each seamlessly available on driver demand,” the company said. “The new powertrain provides strong, confident acceleration from a start, when passing other vehicles or when entering a highway.”
