Nissan hybrid SUV reports 1,230-mile run on one tank

Nissan says a Qashqai has crossed Colombia from Bogotá to the Caribbean coast without stopping to refuel or plug in. Over 1,230 miles (1,980 km), the compact SUV averaged 102 mpg (Eur)/85 mpg (US) under independent monitoring, and Guinness awarded the run the title of the longest journey by a non-plug-in extended-range electric SUV.

The trick is that the petrol engine does not turn the wheels. Nissan’s e-Power system uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine as an onboard generator, feeding a 2-kWh battery and an electric motor that drives the vehicle all the time. Unlike a traditional hybrid, where the engine and electric motor can both connect to the axles, this layout leaves the wheels electrically driven from start to finish.

That separation gives Nissan more control over the engine’s operating point. The company says its software can run the engine where it is most efficient, while also matching engine sound and RPM to road speed so the cabin does not fill with the uneven drone associated with some series hybrids. The system can switch between a 14:1 compression ratio for fuel economy and an 8:1 ratio when the turbocharged engine must generate more power.

The record also came with favorable terrain. The drive began at about 2,600-m elevation (8,660 ft) and ended at sea level, with long descents allowing regenerative braking to convert gravity into stored electrical energy. Those conditions do not erase the result, but they do mean the Colombian run is not a direct substitute for an independent, level-route fuel-economy test. The figures came from Nissan’s record attempt; no independent road test is cited here.

And so what, concretely? Nissan plans to bring a tuned version of e-Power to the United States in the 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid, targeting a real-world rating somewhere over 40 mpg. The setup is aimed at drivers who want electric-motor acceleration, smooth deceleration and a quiet cabin without installing a home charger or planning around the charging grid. Nissan is not alone—Honda, Mazda, Ram and automakers in China use related generator-based layouts—but its combination of full-time electric drive, variable compression and software-controlled engine behavior is the part it is betting will stand out.