2023 Nissan X-Trail hybrid new car review

Toyota has dominated this segment for years but now there is a new kid on the block that brings similar benefits but without the long wait time.

As waiting lists for Toyota’s RAV4 Hybrid remain long, Nissan’s new X-Trail e-Power offers a compelling SUV hybrid alternative. Our family tests the range-topping Ti-L.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

JULES: A Nissan badge, but this SUV looks more like a Lexus.

IAIN: Blingy 20-inch wheels, Champagne silver paintwork, black roof and quilted Nappa leather will do that.

The Nissan X-Trail is a worthy rival to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.

JULES: Hang on. Nissan’s gone fancy? This looks very Middle East-spec.

IAIN: It’s still a humble X-Trail, but this is a much-needed all-new generation. And, as here, offered with e-Power.

JULES: It’s electric?

IAIN: No, hybrid. But it works differently to Toyota’s successful hybrid system. This X-Trail’s petrol engine’s only job is to recharge a battery to power electric motors.

JULES: Seems an odd way to do it. Why?

IAIN: The benefit is it drives more like an electric car. So it’s quiet and smooth, has excellent throttle response and it’s pretty zingy in town.

JULES: It’s as economical as a Toyota hybrid?

IAIN: No. The AWD RAV4 Hybrid returns a segment-leading 4.8L/100km, but our Nissan only manages 6.1L/100km.

JULES: A turbo-diesel would do similar. But I’m intrigued by its electric drive.

There is a big price premium over the petrol version, though.

THE LIVING SPACE

IAIN: It’s feels expensive inside, but it wants to at more than $60,000 drive-away.

JULES: I know it’s a range-topping Ti-L, but Nissan’s done an elegant job inside. It’s a clean style with functional layout, nicely blended with plushness.

IAIN: The old X-Trail was blandness personified but I rate this new one. Ours has black quilted Nappa leather with brown dash and door tops, but an optional tan cabin would boost the luxe.

JULES: Why a brown dash? I recall Mazda’s done likewise. Brown’s never the answer.

IAIN: Nonsense. Embrace the retro. It’s properly spacious front and rear, there’s a panoramic glass roof and two 12.3-inch screens cover driver information and infotainment.

The Ti grade is packed with standard equipment.

JULES: Keeping normal buttons and knobs for the climate control’s a win, as is a large two-tiered centre console with rubber grips. But the console’s plastic finish looks weirdly 3D printed.

IAIN: I’ll grumble about the dashboard’s faux-wood panel. It looks classy but is plasticky to touch. Give me the real thing at this price.

THE COMMUTE

JULES: I get it. It’s very EV like. Whisper quiet in town with just electric in play and the petrol engine’s dormant.

IAIN: There are battery-powered motors front and rear with 330Nm and 195Nm of torque respectively. There’s only a smallish 1.8kWh battery, so the petrol engine’s often working as a generator to feed it.

The petrol engine is used purely as a generator to power the battery.

JULES: But it’s not invasive. It does so quietly. And unlike other Nissans with CVT gearboxes, there’s instant acceleration when I need a quick getaway at junctions and roundabouts. Brilliant.

IAIN: It’s wafty on the highway, cruising only on electric. It’s well insulated, but there’s some tyre and wind noise in lieu of engine rumble.

JULES: It’s a damn nice place to commute. Power, heated and memory seats, heated steering wheel, wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, Bose sounds and a giant 10.8-inch head-up display.

IAIN: Nissan’s “e-pedal” doesn’t do it for me. It feeds energy to the battery when decelerating and feels a bit like driving in glue.

JULES: In traffic it made me feel a bit sick.

IAIN: The brake pedal’s depressed for you, so the brake feel’s horrible.

THE SHOPPING

JULES: All my Christmases at once: a birds-eye view camera, a giant boot with smart underfloor storage and a hands-free power tailgate.

IAIN: But just a repair kit, no spare tyre. I’m not a fan.

SUNDAY RUN

JULES: This X-Trail’s chic enough for showboating outside fancy boutiques.

IAIN: I’d also trust it on unsealed roads with its all-wheel-drive and eager performance. It handles with decent composure, feels safe and controlled in corners and there’s ample performance to clip along.

The hybrids don’t come with a seven seat layout.

THE FAMILY

JULES: There are seven-seat X-Trails, why not here?

IAIN: None of the hybrids have three rows, even though they’re sold in other markets. That’s a shame as it’d boost versatility.

JULES: Otherwise, it’s superb. So much leg and head room in the back; the seats slide, recline and heat your bum, there are air vents and two USB ports.

IAIN: The family budget won’t like this e-Power’s price, or the $2353 services over five years or just 50,000km. A RAV4 Hybrid’s five services are more than a grand cheaper.

JULES: Kudos for safety, though. There’s the smart stuff we like such as rear traffic alert, blind-spot warning and cameras and sensors everywhere.

THE VERDICT

IAIN: A pleasing electric car-like drive without committing to full EV life. Luxuriously appointed, but Nissan needs a cheaper hybrid X-Trail. A Toyota RAV4 Hybrid costs $7000 less, uses less petrol and has much lower running costs.

JULES: But you’ll wait years for a RAV4 Hybrid. This Nissan’s a superb, spacious and luxury-filled family SUV with a far nicer drive experience than a petrol and CVT gearbox.

NISSAN X-TRAIL Ti-L e-POWER HYBRID

PRICE About $61,000 drive-away

WARRANTY AND SERVICING 5 years/unlimited km, $2353 for 5 years/50,000km, or $2113 prepaid plan

ENGINE 1.5-litre 3-cyl turbo petrol (106kW/250Nm) with front (150kW/330Nm) and rear electric (100kW/195Nm) motors

SAFETY Seven airbags, auto emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot and lane-departure warning, radar cruise control, traffic sign recognition

THIRST 6.1L/100km

SPARE Repair kit

Originally published as 2023 Nissan X-Trail hybrid new car review