New-look hybrid X-Trail fuels the electric car market

Just when you thought the weird and wonderful world of electric cars couldn't get any more confusing, along comes someone to stir the pot.

This time it's Japanese giant Nissan - a world leader in electric vehicles with its zero-emissions Leaf - now once again shaking up this fast-moving mash-up of pure electric, hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric variants with this new contender, the X-Trail E-Power.

Its claim to fame? Well, it's the only electric car that is powered by just one thing … petrol.

Yes, you read that right.

Not that the nice folk at Nissan see it quite so simply - insisting that this E-Power solution solves all of the various weaknesses of electric cars in one go.

And it does. Kind of.

Why? Because they all use electricity differently.

First we have "pure" electric cars - they use electric motors on their front axles (and/or rear axles) drawing on electricity stored in large batteries, generally beneath the car's floor. Think Tesla and also some of those cool little Chinese electric machines.

Next are petrol-electric Hybrids. They use a combination of petrol and electric propulsion - mostly relying on regenerated power harvested from the brakes, and the engine, when the car is in petrol mode. This is the system used by Toyota for a couple of decades now.

Option three is plug-in electric machines - which can be charged via your wall socket overnight to give you about 50km of pure electric driving, the idea being that you use electricity (and no petrol) for your weekday commute, then use a combination of each to give you range comparable to convention hybrids.

Confused yet? Don't be - because things just got even more strange with the arrival of Nissan's e-Power solution, now available on the Japanese maker's all-new mid-sized SUV, the volume-selling X-Trail.

And you had better believe that this new system will be an equally popular choice to those above. E-power uses a conventional petrol engine - but doesn't put its power directly to the road. Rather, the engine effectively works as a generator, creating sufficient charge to run the vehicle solely on electric power all the time. Once again, it can deliver superior range (almost 900km on a tankful) while minimising fossil fuel emissions.

Whew!

So, which is the best? That's a question best left to buyers.

The funny thing is Nissan's new technology is not all that new. The same generator-system was used more than a decade ago when Holden (remember them?) rolled out its short-lived petrol/electric model, the Volt. 

You will barely notice the X-Trail's three–cylinder, 1.3 litre, turbocharged generator, apart from a quiet hum beneath the bonnet when you ask for extra performance.

Regardless of its power source, the X-Trail impresses as a smart and sophisticated machine. It needs to be, because direct rivals in this segment include the sales-leading Toyota RAV4, Mitusubishi's flashy new Outlander, Subaru's new Outback and the much-awarded Kia Sportage.

Into that mix comes the X-Trail - a staple of the Nissan SUV range since the turn of the century. It's popular because of its strong combination of size, efficiency and driving dynamics, all of which are magnified in this latest, fifth-generation X-Trail.

Tested here are two versions of this all-new X-Trail - one a top-spec Ti-L with the conventional engine; the other with identical trim but using E-Power.

This latest X-Trail is easily the best-looking and best presented model. Elegant lines, a modern road presence and premium interior make it look like excellent value for the listed $52,990.

The E-Power solution will cost you a further $4200 above the price for the petrol-only flagship.

But while the E-Power brings most of the smoothness and quietness of conventional electric machines, keep in mind it still guzzles fuel at a healthy rate - with an official thirst of about 6L/100km.

Fit-out includes Nappa leather seats (heated front and rear); 10-speaker Bose audio system, tri-zone climate control and 20-inch alloys and the swoopy dashboard.

It also gets a panoramic sunroof and a sharp-as 12.3-inch touchscreen; an identically-sized screen for the driver's benefit, plus a smart head-up display (10.8-inch) giving you non-stop vision of your speed. There's also a clever intelligent rear-view mirror that displays a camera feed of the "blind spot" behind the rear of the car - giving added safety if little ones are wandering around. 

The E-Power's electric motors (one on each axle, producing AWD) are at home at highway speeds and the system is refined and hushed in the cabin.

Glassy looks aside, the X-Trail has always been a stout performer, offering plenty of space and practicality to a vehicle sitting in the sweet spot of the market.

It's an important machine for Nissan not just because it's a full remake of a volume-selling model, but also because the competition in this mid-sized SUV space just gets tougher.

The standard engine in the X-Trail is a good one - crisp, responsive and with plenty of zip.

And like the hybrid model, there's a long list of reasons to like this car.

Nissan has thrown all of its lollies into the SUV cot - three of those new models arriving in the space of 12 months - the baby Qashqai (tested here recently) and the Pathfinder (to be tested soon).

This log-jam of new models was partly caused by supply chains affected by Covid and the Ukraine war; but also to allow Nissan to get the biggest bang for its buck with returning and conquest buyers.

After all, if the showroom is full of new models, it's easy to argue that the brand is right there alongside key competitors.

And with the new E-Power version as a viable option, that's plain for all to see.

NISSAN X-TRAIL TI-L E-Power

HOW BIG?

Roomy inside but small and nimble enough outside. This one is a five-seater only, the seven-seater is available on overseas models.

HOW FAST? 

Not particularly so - combined power is about 157kW pushed through both axles, with torque peaking at 525Nm.

HOW THIRSTY?

This is one of the few electric models that actually needs to answer that question, with its unique drive system: about 6L/100km, which is decent but not outstanding.

HOW MUCH? 

The entry-level ST is $40,445 drive away. The Ti-L tested costs $57,190, plus on road costs, for the more expensive E-Power version.