Nissan boosts electrification game with new PHEVs and BEVs on the way

Nissan is overhauling its product pipeline for an electrified future.

New platforms will support four to five vehicles and multiple powertrains and help the Japanese automaker slash development and production costs. The next-generation Rogue will come in gasoline engine, e-Power series hybrid and plug-in hybrid varieties.

One of the few brands that had still been investing in sedans in the U.S., Nissan is now retreating in that segment as demand for the body style evaporates. The automaker will ditch the subcompact Versa — the nation's least-expensive new vehicle — after the 2025 model year.

Nissan's workhorse Sentra will continue in the lineup, but the future is less certain for the Altima. The automaker is undecided about investing in a next-generation Altima. If the model continues, it likely will be a hybrid or a PHEV.

Meanwhile, Nissan will expand its battery-powered lineup to reach a goal of having zero-emission vehicles make up more than 40 percent of U.S. sales by 2030.

The automaker plans to build two sedans and three crossovers at its Canton, Miss., factory for the Nissan and Infiniti brands and for alliance partner Mitsubishi. Nissan is also exploring plans for a lightweight Frontier-size electric pickup.

But as the electric vehicle rollout has hit a speed bump, Nissan — and its peers — are navigating slower sales for battery-powered models than anticipated. The automaker has delayed U.S. production plans and told suppliers it would provide an update late this year.

Ariya: Nissan's second EV in the U.S. will be freshened in 2026.

The Ariya lineup was expanded last year with an all-wheel-drive version of the Rogue-size electric crossover in the U.S. The model features a twin-motor system, dubbed e-4ORCE, that Nissan said is 50 percent faster at reacting to tire slippage and other road conditions. Nissan has reserved the sporty Nismo Ariya version for its home market of Japan and said it has no plans to bring the fun to the U.S.

Electric crossover: A compact crossover based on the CMF-EV platform underpinning the Ariya should arrive in late 2027.

Leaf: Nissan will reincarnate the Leaf as a single-motor crossover coupe in 2025.

The vehicle is said to be a "radical departure" from the current hatchback Leaf and more like the redesigned Toyota Prius. Nissan teased the styling in a sporty concept called the Chill-Out, featuring a dual-motor e-4ORCE awd system.

The next-generation Leaf will ride on the same CMF-EV platform as the Ariya compact crossover and the Renault Megane E-Tech compact car. Nissan told retailers the new EV will deliver 25 percent more range than the current generation.

U.S. production of the current-generation Leaf ends in December, and next-generation output will shift overseas.

Electric sedan: The raised sedan features a sloped rear window, a long wheelbase and waistline, and a newly designed grille. The performance EV sports a tapered front end and a raised rear with an integrated spoiler to maximize downforce.

The Canton-made model will straddle the market served by the midsize Altima and full-size Maxima sedans. Production originally was scheduled for mid-2026, but Nissan has paused those plans.

Titan: Production of the full-size pickup ended in August. It will not be replaced.

Frontier: The midsize pickup, last redesigned for the 2022 model year, will be freshened in September with more utility and a rugged look.

The 2025 Frontier's tweaked front fascia, grille and bumper design give it the outdoorsy look of the redesigned Toyota Tacoma. A long-wheelbase configuration with a six-foot bed is available across the lineup. Towing capacity gets bumped to 7,150 pounds — about 500 pounds more than the 2024 model.

A redesign is planned for the first half of 2028.

Armada: A redesign in the fourth quarter will downsize the large SUV's thirsty V-8 engine to a more efficient 425-hp twin-turbocharged V-6 engine paired with a nine-speed transmission.

The new Armada, described by a dealer as "Range Rover-like," is bigger and more rugged looking with redesigned headlights and taillights. An all-new interior includes upgraded finishes, large screens and the latest driver-assist and convenience technology.

Pathfinder: A minor freshen should arrive for the Pathfinder in late 2025, delivering a restyled grille, a tweaked rear fascia and larger in-cabin displays. An all-electric version of the midsize crossover will enter production in Canton in the second quarter of 2028.

An outdoorsy trim level of the Pathfinder debuted last summer. Called the Rock Creek edition, it features an off-road suspension, 18-inch beadlock-style wheels, all-terrain tires and a tubular roof rack.

Murano: The next generation of the midsize crossover arrives early next year sporting a minimalist, digital-focused interior.

Spy shots of the redesigned model indicate the Murano will adopt the Ariya EV's dual-screen layout. Air vents below span the dash, while a large volume knob sits in the middle of the center stack, which also houses the HVAC controls. The updated crossover sports Nissan's new grid-like grille design, while the rear gets sportier with a sloping window.

The new Murano will ride on a revised version of Nissan's D platform and support hybrid or PHEV variants. The next-generation model will swap a 3.5-liter V-6 for a more efficient four-cylinder turbocharged engine.

Rogue: The fourth-generation Rogue arrives in early 2027 and will be designed to support multiple powertrains, including a PHEV.

The redesigned Rogue will debut Nissan's e-Power series hybrid technology in the U.S. The technology uses a battery-powered electric motor to drive a vehicle's wheels and a gasoline engine to charge the battery.

The Rogue was freshened in early 2024, and an off-road trim level followed in the summer. The Rock Creek edition features all-terrain tires and a tubular roof rack.

Kicks: The second-generation subcompact crossover arrives in September with more power, optional awd, and boxy and SUV-like exterior styling. The interior is roomier and upgraded with dual screens and a new flat-bottom steering wheel.

The Kicks' new awd capability is complemented by more power under the hood. A larger 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine generates 141 hp — a 19-hp bump over the previous generation.

GT-R: After 17 years, Nissan will end "Godzilla" production for the North American market in October.

Nissan could reincarnate the GT-R as a high-performance electric car powered by solid-state batteries in 2030. The automaker teased the vehicle via a 1,000-kilowatt Hyper Force concept that debuted at last year's Japan Mobility Show.

Nissan delivered two limited-edition versions of its halo sports car this summer. The GT-R T-Spec Takumi edition, which honors the "takumi" craftspeople who hand-assemble each GT-R's VR38DETT engine, features carbon-ceramic brakes, gold-painted 20-inch forged wheels, Nismo-tuned vehicle dynamic control, wider front fenders and a Midnight Purple paint job with interior trim in Mori Green. A GT-R Skyline edition builds on the GT-R Premium and sports a Bayside Blue exterior with a Sora Blue interior.

Altima: The gasoline-powered Altima will be discontinued after the 2026 model year. The automaker has extended production at its Canton plant because of the delay in EV production. The midsize sedan eventually could be replaced with a PHEV.

The Altima was freshened last fall with design tweaks, more standard safety features and new technology. The awd Altima offers a choice of four-cylinder powerplants — a 2.0-liter variable compression turbo or a 2.5-liter double-overhead-camshaft engine.

Sentra: The compact sedan will be redesigned in late 2025 and might be offered with a hybrid variant. Nissan is considering a sporty 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbo-powered Sentra variant that could arrive in 2026.

For the 2024 model year, the Sentra retained its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine but received updated front fascia and headlights, a new continuously variable transmission and a stop-start system.

Z: The coupe will be freshened in 2027.

The Z got the Nismo performance treatment last fall. The variant, powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 engine, received a 20-hp boost and Nismo-tuned suspension, brakes and bodywork.

In June, Nissan launched a limited-run Z Heritage edition — an homage to the S30-generation Datsun 240Z unveiled 55 years ago. The 400-hp convertible is based on the Z Performance grade.

Versa: Nissan will drop the entry subcompact after production ends in April 2025.