Australian buyers will soon have a greater choice of hybrids within the Nissan X-Trail range.
Nissan has confirmed it will be expanding its lineup of X-Trail e-Power models, with the company attempting to make the most of the SUV’s popularity.
While the details of exact variants haven’t been outlined, Nissan Oceania managing director Andrew Humberstone said the vehicle was doing “exceptionally well”.
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“But now we want to expand that, so we’re seeing two-wheel drive options and e-Power options there that we’re bringing in as well – to further expand our segment share within that portfolio,” he told CarExpert.
It’s unclear if this will also see Nissan import seven-seat versions of the X-Trail e-Power. While these are currently available in markets such as Europe, the electrified X-Trail has only ever been offered with five seats in Australia.
Nissan currently offers nine different variants of the X-Trail, though all hybrid e-Power models are currently all-wheel drive.
They feature a 106kW/250Nm turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine used as a generator to power 150kW/330Nm and 100kW/195Nm electric motors, for a total system output of 157kW.
Overseas markets such as the UK and Europe have e-Power versions with front-wheel drive, reducing the price of the model for those who don’t need the extra traction of all-wheel drive.
In the UK-market front-wheel drive X-Trail e-Power, the 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine feeds the 150kW electric motor driving the front wheels.
With only one electric motor, fuel economy claims drop from 6.1 litres per 100 kilometres (AWD) to around 5.8L/100km (FWD).
While the UK gets a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder mild-hybrid as the base X-Trail powertrain, in Australia all petrol X-Trails use a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine. This is available with either front- or all-wheel drive.
Mr Humberstone’s comments on the X-Trail come just hours after rival Honda announced it was expanding its range of hybrid CR-V variants, paring back the number of purely petrol-powered options to two.
Kia also recently expanded its Sportage Hybrid lineup locally, while Toyota dropped all petrol-powered RAV4s back in 2024.
All three of these rivals now offer hybrid powertrains with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.
Despite having just a few days left of his tenure, Mr Humberstone has made a series of announcements about Nissan’s future in Australia – with the company “indefinitely delaying” the electric Leaf and focusing on hybrid models.