When you look what Nissan call the electric four-wheel drive system and hybrid set up in the new X-Trail medium SUV, you would wonder that someone at Nissan HQ was a bit of a George Lucas fan. The use of “e POWER” and “e 4ORCE” while being unique to Nissan could also very well resonate with other fans of that galaxy far, far away. It certainly does with this writer.
It also reflects the fact the new Nissan X-Trail ST L Hybrid e-POWER is a “force” to be reckoned with. Sometimes a car comes along which not only meets your expectations but surpasses them considerably. The new Nissan X-Trail with e-POWER is one of them.
The Nissan X-Trail has been with us for a little over a quarter of a century and it certainly has been “one of the faces” in the mid-sized SUV market. Today, the current X-Trail range is awash with different spec levels and buyers can choose between differing petrol and e-POWER hybrid options. The entry point is $39,990 + ORC for the ST 4X2 Petrol and finishes up with flagship Ti-L 4X4 Hybrid e-POWER at $58,990 + ORC. As mentioned, the mid-range ST-L 4X4 Hybrid e-POWER is the focus here with a retail price of $52,990 + ORC.
The most interesting aspect of Nissan’s “e-POWER” system is that it’s not your normal “run-of-the-mill” hybrid set up. Instead of the petrol engine and battery working in tandem with each other, e-POWER works with two electric motors driving the wheels with power coming from a lithium-ion battery pack.
While the petrol-powered X-Trail makes use of a 2.5L four-cylinder petrol engine, the e-POWER’s 1.5L direct injection turbo petrol unit acts as a generator for the e-POWER battery and electric motor set up. This is very similar to a PHEV but here you don’t need to recharge when battery supply depletes. In fact, as you drive along, the small charge gauge will rise and fall depending on the use of regeneration of energy.
Talking of energy regeneration, the X-Trail ST-L e-POWER comes with “e-Pedal Step Technology” which is basically Nissan’s version of “one-pedal-drive.” Activate this and the level of regenerative braking is turn up to its maximum intensity, meaning not only does it provide enough stopping power for you to seldom touch the brake pedal, but in turn the battery will gain back some charge to be used elsewhere. While most of the time I would rely on the right foot to slow things down, the benefits of “e-Pedal Step” cannot be denied, especially on a downhill run.
The front electric motor for the 4X4 e-4ORCE produces 150kW and 330Nm of torque while the rear produces 100kW/195Nm. Combined petrol and electric power sits at a claimed 157kW and Nissan also claim a combined 5.4L/100km of fuel consumption. The biggest headline grabber when it comes to power and torque spec is the combination of electric and petrol generator capabilities will allow the X-Trail ST-L e-POWER to cover up to 1000kms of combined range. That’s really rather impressive. What is also rather impressive is Nissan honours a 10 year/300,000km warranty when servicing your X-Trail at an official Nissan New Zealand centre.
Looks wise, the new X-Trail certainly reflects Nissan’s current design philosophy. There is a combo of curves and sharp angles front to rear. The modern Nissan design philosophy is here in earnest and while the “Power Everest” white paint scheme does make it a look a bit generic at a distance, overall, it’s not bad to look at.
Subtle badging depicting its “e-POWER” and e-4ORCE capabilities can be found on the tailgate and one could argue the white paint scheme with black accents, front grill and alloys continue the references to Science Fiction, in particular, to the Imperial Stormtroopers in league with that certain space odyssey’s main antagonist.
Inside you have a clean and organised cabin. The layout of the instrument cluster and angle of that leather accented, multi-function steering wheel leaves you almost looking down on them when you step inside. You sit quite high up, but the heated leather accented front seats are some of the most comfortable I have experienced in any car in this price bracket. Not only are they plush but also offer good levels of lumbar support and bolstering.
The centre console feels raised somewhat and while this means for easier reach for the gear selector and drive mode toggle wheel, you do feel cocooned somewhat by your surroundings. Everything you touch feels solid and well put together too and the wireless charging pad for your phone is angled away from you which, along with the grip pad, will ensure your inseparable Android or IOS compatible companion stays where it ought to.
Tech wise, the X-Trail ST-L e-POWER is loaded with kit. Chief of these is Nissan’s ProPILOT system which gives you intelligent forward collision warning, emergency braking, intelligent cruise control and lane intervention to offer a degree of semi-automation when motorway cruising.
You also have a 12.3” touchscreen infotainment display, that aforementioned wireless phone charging and heated front seats, wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity, a 7.0” TFT driver assistance instrument cluster, 18-inch alloys, dual zone climate control, auto LED headlights, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot warning, intelligent driver alert, parking sensors front and rear and a very sharp looking rear camera. Pop the boot and you have a rather decent 575L of boot space. The low floor also allows for ease of loading and unloading too.
On the move, power delivery is strong, progressive and it never really seems to run out of puff all the way up to the national limit. What is also remarkable is just comfortable the X-Trail while its ability to drown out the outside world is a testament to Nissan’s sound deadening and active noise cancelling technology.
You can cycle between EV mode and hybrid mode where the petrol engine acts as that generator at the touch of button and the transition between both modes of motoring is pretty seamless. The steering is light for sure and while I will admit, lacking a degree in feedback but remains sharp and responsive, nonetheless.
The X-Trail e-POWER’s e-4ORCE electric AWD system is a very clever bit of kit too. With five drive modes on offer able to chosen via that aforementioned circular toggle switch on the centre console, the system will do its utmost to ensure you have the smoothest ride possible and the maximum amount of grip when required. Leave it in Auto mode and the car reads the conditions and reacts accordingly. Sport naturally makes things livelier, Eco for when maximum range is the name of the game and Off-Road and Snow, well, you can imagine what they are for.
I can’t see many X-Trail e-POWER buyers roughing it on a regular basis but it’s comforting that a trip to Mt Hutt or rutted paddocks aren’t going to faze it. The only trade off is that while it is immensely comfortable, things are a titch too soft in the corners, but it still does a good job of keeping things tight and together.
After a week in its company, I was thoroughly impressed with the new Nissan X-Trail ST-L e-POWER. It is hands down one of the best medium SUVs out there and one which, and I don’t say this lightly, could even see myself using it as a daily. In terms of on-board tech, its unique e-POWER hybrid system for incredible fuel frugality and the fact it’s just a darn good thing to drive results in a product you simply must add to your “SUVs to test drive” list.
RATING: 9/10
