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Nissan’s virtual preview points to the next Rogue
Nissan has been busy reshaping its global lineup, and a new set of CGI renders for the next-generation X-Trail offers a first look at what the North American Rogue might become. Created by digital artist Nikita Chuicko (aka kelsonik) for Kolesa, the images imagine a cleaner, more modern crossover that borrows styling cues from Nissan’s latest models.
What the render suggests
The visualization points to several clear design choices that could carry over to the production X-Trail and its US-market counterpart, the Rogue:
- A trapezoidal grille inspired by recent Nissan releases such as the Pathfinder and Murano.
- Separate LED elements for daytime running lights, replacing the controversial split-headlight arrangement.
- A subtly reworked D-pillar with a contemporary kink to give the side profile more character.
- Full-width LED taillight graphics, a trend now common across compact and mid-size crossovers.
These changes would create a cleaner front fascia and a more cohesive family look for Nissan SUVs. The render doesn’t drastically alter proportions, implying the new X-Trail and Rogue will stay in the same size class as their predecessors.
Where this fits into Nissan’s strategy
Over the past year Nissan has been consolidating platforms and streamlining development. The company has already rolled out an all-new Navara pickup in Australia (closely related to the Mitsubishi Triton), refreshed the Sentra for entry-level buyers, and updated the Pathfinder for 2026. Meanwhile, the Rogue Plug-in Hybrid launched for 2026 is essentially a rebadged Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV — an example of Nissan’s growing collaboration with other automakers to lower costs and speed up product cycles.
Quote:
"Platform sharing and badge engineering let Nissan offer modern powertrains, like PHEV, while limiting duplicate development work," says an industry analyst familiar with the automaker’s plans.
Production and powertrain outlook
If Nissan follows previous practice, the next X-Trail and Rogue will share major components and dimensions. The Rogue for North America is built in Smyrna, Tennessee, and Nissan has said a Rogue PHEV would debut ahead of the fourth-generation model. Given the existing Outlander PHEV tie-in, expect plug-in hybrid variants to remain a key part of the range while Nissan balances electric ambitions with pragmatic, cost-conscious engineering.
Design vs. reality: how much will change?
Renders are speculative by nature, but they often reflect the direction designers and marketing teams are leaning toward. The CGI work for the X-Trail opts for evolutionary styling rather than a radical makeover — smoothing the front end, revising light signatures, and sharpening cabin tech rather than altering wheelbase or overall size.
Highlights:
- Design language leans on Pathfinder and Murano for visual continuity.
- Expect interior updates to match the exterior’s cleaner, tech-forward feel.
- Powertrain choices will likely include PHEV versions, reflecting shared development with Mitsubishi.
Bottom line
The kelsonik renders give us a plausible glimpse of Nissan’s next crossover chapter: a refined X-Trail that doubles as a preview of the North American Rogue. For buyers and observers, the bigger story remains Nissan’s push to consolidate platforms, offer electrified options like PHEVs, and modernize SUV styling without ballooning costs. Whether the final production model will match these CGI visuals remains to be seen, but the direction is clear — cleaner lines, distinct LED signatures, and tighter family design across Nissan’s SUV lineup.
Source: autoevolution
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