Nissan Rogue Engine: The 1.5L VC-Turbo Three-Cylinder Explained

Here are the key facts on the 1.5L VC-Turbo in the 2026 and 2026.5 Rogue.

These are the 1.5L VC-Turbo's full specifications in the 2026.5 Rogue.

VC-Turbo stands for Variable Compression Turbo, Nissan's name for the Rogue's 1.5-liter engine. A compression ratio is how tightly an engine squeezes the air and fuel in each cylinder before the mixture ignites. On this engine, that ratio is not fixed: in the 2026.5 Rogue, it runs from 8.0:1 to 14.0:1. The low end of the range is for turbocharged power, and the high end is for fuel efficiency. The stroke, the distance each piston travels, varies too, from 88.9 to 90.1 mm.

With the turbocharger and that compression range, the Rogue's 1.5-liter three-cylinder makes the horsepower and torque listed in the full specifications above.

The 1.5L VC-Turbo sends its power through Nissan's Xtronic CVT (continuously variable transmission), which has a manual shift mode and paddle shifters. On the 2026.5 Rogue, the CVT's gear ratio range is 2.953 to 0.361, with a reverse ratio of 2.20 and a final drive ratio of 5.676.

The drivetrain on a 2026.5 Rogue determines which grades you can choose from and how you select a drive mode.

Either drivetrain gets the ECO and Sport modes on the 2026.5 Rogue. The Rogue Rock Creek, which comes only with all-wheel drive, adds an off-road-tuned suspension.

Every gas 2026 and 2026.5 Rogue grade uses the 1.5L VC-Turbo with the Xtronic CVT. The plug-in hybrid version of the Rogue does not use the 1.5L VC-Turbo. This list shows which drivetrain each grade comes with, and in which model years.

• S: either drivetrain, in the 2026 and 2026.5 Rogue
• SV: either drivetrain, in the 2026 and 2026.5 Rogue
• Dark Armor: either drivetrain, new for the 2026.5 Rogue
• Rock Creek: all-wheel drive only, in the 2026 and 2026.5 Rogue
• Platinum: all-wheel drive only, in the 2026 and 2026.5 Rogue

Once you've settled on a grade and drivetrain, check the new-Nissan specials running now.

The gas Rogue's EPA ratings fall into three groups: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and the Rock Creek with all-wheel drive. A 14.5-gallon fuel tank comes on every 2026 and 2026.5 gas Rogue.

Disclaimer: 2026.5 EPA Fuel Economy Estimates. 29 City MPG / 36 Highway MPG / 32 Combined MPG for Rogue® S, SV, and Dark Armor FWD. 28 City MPG / 35 Highway MPG / 31 Combined MPG for Rogue S, SV, Dark Armor, and Platinum AWD. 27 City MPG / 32 Highway MPG / 29 Combined MPG for Rogue Rock Creek® AWD. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions. Use for comparison only.

This table sets the gas Rogue's 1.5L VC-Turbo beside the Rogue Plug-in Hybrid's powertrain and the 2.0-liter VC-Turbo in the 2026 Murano.

Of the three, the gas Rogue is the only one you can get with front-wheel drive.

Every 2026.5 Rogue grade is rated to tow 1,500 lb (when properly equipped), with a tongue weight of 150 lb. The 1.5L VC-Turbo holds 5.0 quarts of engine oil and 9.0 quarts of coolant.

Curb weight on the 2026.5 Rogue depends on the grade and the drivetrain (front-wheel drive / all-wheel drive):

• S: 3,477 lb / 3,607 lb
• SV: 3,530 lb / 3,657 lb
• Dark Armor: 3,588 lb / 3,716 lb
• Rock Creek (all-wheel drive only): 3,713 lb
• Platinum (all-wheel drive only): 3,737 lb

With the same 1.5L VC-Turbo in every gas Rogue, the winter decision comes down to front-wheel drive versus all-wheel drive. In Indianapolis, the first measurable snow normally falls around November 24 and the last around March 16. Annual snowfall varies widely here: a normal year in Indianapolis brings 25.5 inches (the 1991-2020 average), yet 2023 brought 5.7 inches and 2025 brought 31.6.

Totals that swing that far from one year to the next make the drivetrain a real choice here. All-wheel drive adds a five-mode dial with a Snow mode for the heavier winters. Intelligent All-Wheel Drive cannot prevent collisions or provide enhanced traction in all conditions. Always monitor traffic and weather conditions.

Front-wheel drive keeps the gas Rogue's best EPA ratings. On the same grades, it beats all-wheel drive by one mpg city, highway and combined.

Nissan's warranty on the 2026.5 Rogue breaks down like this:

• Powertrain: 60 months / 60,000 miles, the coverage that includes the 1.5L VC-Turbo
• Basic: 36 months / 36,000 miles
• Corrosion perforation: 60 months / unlimited miles
• Roadside assistance: 36 months / 36,000 miles

Roadside assistance coverage period varies by model year and model. Includes Trip Interruption benefits. For complete information concerning warranty coverage, conditions and exclusions, see your Nissan dealer and read your vehicle’s Warranty Information Booklet.

The Rogue's 1.5L VC-Turbo runs on regular unleaded fuel and comes with fine-tipped iridium spark plugs. Our Nissan-trained technicians use genuine Nissan parts on the Rogue. For the work your Rogue's engine needs over time, see what our service center offers, and when it's due, send us a service appointment request.

Ed Martin Nissan is on Shadeland Avenue in Warren Township, on the east side of Indianapolis. Shadeland Avenue connects with both I-70 and I-465. To try the 1.5L VC-Turbo for yourself, request a test drive.

If you're weighing a front-wheel-drive S against an all-wheel-drive Platinum, look over your financing options. If anything about the engine is still unclear, ask our team a question, and check our hours before you head over.