Inside the US Factory Where Nissan's Best-Selling SUV Comes to Life
Inside the Assembly Line
Before Nissan launches the next-generation Rogue, the Japanese automaker is offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the vehicle is built at its Smyrna plant in Tennessee. The sneak peek covers the entire process – from the initial stages, where assembly begins with raw steel, to the end of the line, where final inspections are carried out.
The Rogue is a crucial model for Nissan, competing in the lucrative compact crossover segment against rivals like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. That makes the Smyrna plant key to supporting production of the brand's top seller, which has recorded nearly four million U.S. sales since 2000.
See the production process below.
Where the Rogue Takes Shape
Once raw steel arrives at the facility, it moves to the stamping area, where it is formed into body panels. These panels are then sent to fitting before a network of 1,400 robots aligns and welds the chassis. Laser welding is used to join components to the frame, after which an electrostatic pre-paint coat is applied to streamline the painting process.
For the 2026 model year, the Rogue is offered in a range of color options, including two-tone combinations such as Everest White Pearl TriCoat/Super Black and Boulder Gray Pearl/Super Black.
Nissan provided a glimpse of the Smyrna Integrated Control Center before showing how the workers assemble the Rogue, from the wiring harness to the dashboard. Technicians also install the engine, a 1.5-liter three-cylinder VC-Turbo unit producing 201 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle is available with a Japan-made plug-in hybrid version based on the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for those seeking more power and improved efficiency.
From Factory to Driveway
The final stage is a bumper-to-bumper quality check before the vehicles are released to customers. Pricing starts at $29,490, excluding destination fees, for the S trim. Buyers seeking a more off-road-oriented variant can opt for the Rogue Rock Creek, which starts at $34,390.
The next-generation Rogue, meanwhile, is expected to arrive in late 2026 with Nissan's e-Power system, a series-hybrid setup that has been around since 2016 but is only now beginning to reach the U.S. That technology could help make the Rogue more competitive, especially as the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V remain favorites not only in the compact crossover segment, but across the broader U.S. market.
In addition, Nissan is exploring a family of five new body-on-frame vehicles, including the return of the Xterra nameplate.
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This story was originally published April 25, 2026 at 10:15 AM.