The intensely popular Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is about to get some much-needed extra competition.
Nissan Australia has now confirmed (as expected) that the new-generation X-Trail SUV will be offered with its e-Power series hybrid technology following the initial rollout of core petrol models – exactly when though, remains a bit unclear.
The Nissan X-Trail e-Power hybrid will follow the smaller Qashqai e-Power, which is earmarked for a late-2022 or early-2023 release in Australia.
CarExpert anticipates given the announcement timing, the X-Trail e-Power will likely lob Down Under sometime during the second half of 2023. Unfortunately Nissan Australia could not give any indication of when we might see the electrified X-Trail locally.
Globally, Nissan hasn’t properly detailed the X-Trail e-Power’s drivetrain, but it’s a logical assumption that it will share at least aspects of its hybrid drive system with the Qashqai e-Power, given the two models share a platform.
In the Qashqai, the e-Power system features a 116kW 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, which doesn’t drive the wheels at all, instead it acts as a generator for the on-board 2.3kWh lithium-ion battery.
Drive in that car is provided by a front-mounted electric motor which develops 140kW and 330Nm. The Qashqai e-Power with this drivetrain quotes fuel use of 5.3L/100km on the combined WLTP cycle, so we expect the X-Trail e-Power with similar mechanicals to be in the mid- to high-fives.
By comparison, the top-selling Toyota RAV4 2WD Hybrid claims a thriftier 4.7L/100km on the combined ADR cycle.
It’s possible (even probable) that Nissan will offer some sort of all-wheel-drive e-Power option as well, which the smaller Qashqai does not have in its kit bag.
While we know that the Qashqai e-Power will be offered in multiple variants (ST-L and Ti), it’s unclear whether Nissan Australia will employ a similar strategy for the X-Trail e-Power – though we’d wager at least two minimum.
It’s also not clear if the X-Trail e-Power will offer a seven-seat option like petrol models, though the related Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (with a much bigger battery) does offer up to three rows of seating, which would be a major point of difference against the Toyota.
The new-gen petrol X-Trail line-up has just been fully detailed for the Australian market ahead of deliveries commencing in the coming months, with five- and seven-seat options, as well as front- and all-wheel drive variants.
At launch four trim levels will be offered – ST, ST-L, Ti and Ti-L – with the former two standard with front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive and seven seats optional), while the high-grade Ti and Ti-L will come as standard with AWD.
Pricing for the petrol range, which uses the same 135kW/244Nm 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol as the Mitsubishi Outlander, starts at $36,750 plus on-road costs for the entry-level X-Trail ST 2WD, and tops out at $52,990 before on-roads for the flagship Ti-L 4WD which is five-seat only.
Nissan’s local division says pricing and specifications for the X-Trail e-Power will be “confirmed at a later stage”. Stay tuned to CarExpert for all the latest
