2023 Nissan X-Trail e-Power revealed, hybrid variant confirmed for Australia

The 2023 Nissan X-Trail e-Power hybrid SUV has been revealed for Japan, with the model expected to launch locally sometime next year.

Set to rein-in the runaway-success of the Toyota RAV4 hybrid, it uses a small 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine to charge the battery that powers the electric motors driving the front or all four wheels. No plugging-in required.

For the first time, a Nissan model will come with both hybrid e-Power and what the manufacturer calls e-4orce – meaning all four wheels are driven because there is an additional electric motor at the rear, as opposed to just one at the front as is the case in the Qashqai e-Power.

9

“As announced in Nissan Ambition 2030, Nissan aims to drive towards a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive world through our products and services,” said Ashwani Gupta, Nissan's chief operating officer.

“With this in mind, we are electrifying major models, with the X-Trail for the Japan market becoming a dedicated e-Power model with e-4orce an option. The new X-Trail will play an important role in leading our electrification.”

9

Pricing

Pricing has been revealed for Japan, with the lineup starting from ¥3,198,800 (AU$33,473) for the 2WD S grade and topping out with the seven-seater 4WD X e-Force ¥3,930,300 (AU$41,128).

There are seven grades in total, the S, X and G offering two-wheel drive, and S, X and G with 4WD e-Force – all of which are five-seat models, with the seven-seat X e-Force sitting as the flagship.

For Australia it is expected we'll get hybrid power on just the X-Trail's ST-L and Ti trims, with pricing between $45,000 – $60,000 possible.

9

Features

Though Australian specification could well be different to that of the vehicle's native Japan, the X-Trail e-Power gets:

9

9

Engine, motors and fuel economy

The next-gen X-Trail comes equipped with the second-generation e-Power system, which Nissan says features improved power, smoothness and quietness.

It borrows its powertrain from the Qashqai e-Power, which uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine as a generator for a small battery.

Unlike the Qashqai however, the X-Trail e-Power gains Nissan's e-4orce AWD tech, with its chassis-control claimed to be "a huge leap in acceleration, cornering and braking performance" for the model.

AWD versions combine two motors, one on each axle, with the front motor providing 150kW/330Nm and the optional rear motor producing 100kW/95Nm – assisted by a 106kW and 250Nm variable-compression (VC-Turbo) petrol engine.

The combination of hybrid tech and the VC-Turbo engine provides high fuel-efficiency, the carmaker claims – though as yet no fuel economy figures have been provided.

Yet-to-be-homologated figures for the Qashqai hybrid are rated at 119g/km of CO2 and 5.3L/100km.

9

What is e-Power?

Unlike existing hybrid systems, Nissan’s e-Power combines the acceleration of an electric motor and high-output battery with a fuel-efficient petrol engine without the need to recharge.

In conventional hybrid systems, the wheels are powered by an electric motor and a petrol engine. However, Nissan’s e-Power technology sees the driving wheels powered exclusively by an electric motor. The petrol engine is used only to charge the vehicle’s battery when necessary, allowing for lower fuel use and emissions.

Similar to the brand's fully-electric Leaf and Leaf e+, e-Power vehicles will also benefit from Nissan’s e-Pedal drive experience, with drivers able to accelerate and decelerate using only the accelerator pedal.

Nissan e-Power first debuted on the Japan-only Nissan Note in November 2016. It was later joined by the electrified Kicks SUV and Serena minivan, with e-Power sales surpassing 500,000 units by the end of March 2021.

The Note, Kicks and Serena remain Japan-market vehicles, and aren’t currently under consideration for Australia.

9

2023 Nissan X-Trail petrol version

Availability

The 2023 Nissan X-Trail e-Power hybrid will go on sale in Japan on July 25, with an Australian launch expected sometime in 2023 following the launch of the new petrol-powered model.