--- title: "Nissan Exec Rules Out Rogue Nismo—Says the Badge Isn’t for Everything" date: "2026-09-21" modified: "2026-09-21" authors: - name: "Joel Feder" job_title: "Director of Content and Product" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/joel-feder.md" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/nissan-exec-rules-out-rogue-nismo-says-the-badge-isnt-for-everything" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Nissan News" --- # Nissan Exec Rules Out Rogue Nismo—Says the Badge Isn’t for Everything ![2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid]() Nissan [wants to be exciting again](), but its executives want to earn credibility back and have you [feel the lineage]() as as [the turnaround plan]() is executed. Credibility is earned, not given, and when an automaker slaps a performance badge on just anything it hurts credibility. Nissan's said those days are behind it. In an exclusive interview with *The Drive*, Senior Vice President and Chief Planning Officer for [Nissan]() North America, Ponz Pandikuthira said, "You don't make a Nismo out of everything just because you can. Nismo has to be authentic." When asked if a Nismo version of the 2027 Rogue Hybrid would make sense Pandikuthira was quick to say, "Off the top of my head, no." Nissan sells a Nismo version of the Ariya electric crossover in Japan and other parts of the world but didn't bring it to the U.S. market. "I'm really big on saying, what does that customer really want," Pandikuthira said. A Rogue is a relatively pedestrian mass-market vehicle that competes with the Toyota RAV4. Padikuthria said, "If we were to make a Nismo rally car, if you will, out of a Rogue, it's going to have to have north of, I don't know, 300 plus horsepower, much different dynamic handling. I would strip out a lot of the elements to make it lightweight. How many real customers do we have for a product like that?" "Should I put that effort into making a Z Nismo better? Bringing a GT-R to market a lot faster. Am I better off spending time investing in the Rock Creek version, which is really giving more off-road capability, a rugged set of utility tires, and other camping accessories because that's how people use this car? So if I have to focus on what do people typically who buy a Rogue do with their vehicle, Nismo's not at the top of the list," Pandikuthira said. It's an interesting proposition, because that's almost exactly what Toyota did. The [new 2026 Toyota RAV4]() brought forth a new [320-hp GR Sport model]() complete with sport-tuned suspension and summer tires. The current U.S. lineup of Nismo models includes the [Z Nismo]() and [Armada Nismo](). Which models might get the treatment in the future is unclear, but Rogue won't be one of them. *Got a tip? Send us a line at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Overseeing what you see, read, touch, hear, and interact with from the vast lakes of Minnesota, Joel Feder shapes how The Drive looks and operates as the head of content and product initiatives. On a daily basis, Joel leads the newsroom and editorial staff playing point on both short-term coverage and long-term strategic plans. His mission is to help ensure The Drive shapes the future of automotive media by helping the team execute original reporting, breaking news, and exclusive opportunities. Regarded as an industry insider and recognized by colleagues, fellow journalists, and manufacturers as a point-person and leader in the industry, Joel owns and runs the largest automotive professionals group on Facebook in an effort to serve and help others. Joel serves as a juror for the World Car Awards. In addition, he sits on the Board of Directors for Move Forward MN, a local non-profit that helps at-risk youth with barrier-free mental health and housing services. While you’re reading this he’s either on his computer or iPhone chasing the latest news or drafting a story. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() [Bluesky]() [Email]()