Read Caroline’s Nissan X-Trail review for everything you need to know about buying Nissan’s large family SUV in Ireland.
The Nissan X-Trail is one of Ireland’s favourite family SUVs and has been for many years. Since the introduction of the X-Trail in 2001, more than seven million have been sold around the world.
The latest model introduces hybrid power to the X-Trail range for the very first time.
The new Nissan X-Trail, badged ‘e-Power’, goes on sale priced from €45,995 for five seat versions and from €54,995 for seven seat versions – which also add four wheel drive.
The new Nissan X-Trail on test for Changing Lanes!What’s so special about the Nissan X-Trail?
It’s a fresh start for the Nissan X-Trail in the Irish market. No more diesel. Nissan’s innovative new X-Trail e-Power hybrid uses a 1.5-litre petrol engine to act as a generator to charge the onboard battery. This powers the electric motor to turn the wheels.
It’s the same hybrid system that can be found in the current Nissan Qashqai range.
But the X-Trail is bigger, mightier than the Qashqai. The new model sports an evolution of styling. But there’s the brand’s now familiar ‘V-motion’ grille at the front framed by slim LED headlights and daytime running lights.
The X-Trail has lots of kerb appeal when compared to rivals like the Skoda Kodiaq, Peugeot 5008, Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.
There are a range of trim levels – SV, SV Premium and SVE – with 18-inch alloys coming as standard. Top of the range SVE models get a 19-inch set with a chrome finisher in the front and rear bumper underlining the X-Trail’s rugged appeal.
Inside the X-Trail gets a new interior that is a big step up from the previous version of the car in design and quality.
The cabin of the new Nissan X-TrailInside the X-Trail
The X-Trail feels immediately more sophisticated and plush from behind the wheel than the previous version of the car. Now made in Japan – just like the Ariya electric crossover – the build of the car is rock solid.
The layout is simple and minimalist, with a digital upgrade for the cabin too. But that’s best experienced in the SV Premium (from €48,995) trim level and above, which add the brand’s new digital driver display and 12-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay.
There’s lots of standard safety equipment as well as dual zone climate control and a reversing camera. More luxurious features are added as you go up the trim levels like an electric sunroof on SV Premium and wireless smartphone charging, Bose sound system and synthetic leather seats for top of the range SVE.
The cabin feels generously sized with lots of headroom and legroom in the second row of seats. The X-Trail’s ace card is the rear doors that open at almost 90-degrees, making this car ideal for family life. The rear seats can also move forward and back, and recline a little.
Five seat X-Trails are best for boot space with a generous 560 litres. Opt for the seven seat X-Trail and the two extra seats in the back add more flexibility while being fine to accommodate children. Boot space in five seat mode is 465 litres. When all seven seats are in place there’s space for a few more bags though overall a Skoda Kodiaq is more spacious.
60/40 split folding rear seats come as standard. SVE models upgrade that to a 40/20/40 split and the bonus of a powered tailgate.
The X-Trail is available with five or seven seatsDriving the X-Trail e-Power
The Nissan X-Trail is built on a new lightweight platform that allows the X-Trail to be electrified for the very first time. Nissan’s e-Power hybrid is quite unique in the way the engine is never directly involved in powering the wheels. That’s reserved for the electric motor so it means that the X-Trail offers an almost EV-like driving experience. Engine noise is well-suppressed most of the time and the X-Trail is smooth and responsive on the road.
Front wheel drive versions have one electric motor and 201hp, while four wheel drive versions are badged ‘e-4orce’ and use an electric motor on both axles to create 211hp.
There is a touch of wind and road noise at high speeds. It’s mostly a comfortable drive but it does feel firm over manhole covers and other imperfections in the road surface.
When it comes to efficiency, seven seat X-Trail’s post consumption figures of 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres. In real world driving that might be possible with a lot of low speed town driving. But in mixed driving the X-Trail’s consumption did increase.
The X-Trail feels agile on the road and less bulky than some seven seat plug-in hybrid SUVs like the Sorento and Santa Fe. One pedal driving is possible through the e-Pedal step and there is also an EV mode that’s best suited to short bursts of low-speed city driving.
Boot space in the new X-TrailDid you like it?
The new Nissan X-Trail moves on significantly in design, quality and refinement for this new fourth generation model. It’s not cheap – particularly seven seat models – but the cabin is one of the best in class with a great build and slick finish.
The X-Trail also functions well as a big, practical family SUV with the option of seven seats.
Nissan’s new e-Power technology introduces hybrid to the X-Trail for the very first time. This new X-Trail feels far smoother and more refined to drive than previous diesel versions. Fuel consumption is less impressive for such an innovative hybrid though there is potential to run the X-Trail more efficiently in town.
Overall the Nissan X-Trail starts a new chapter as a hybrid and is one of the most polished and desirable large SUVs on the market.
Model tested: Nissan X-Trail e-Power SVE 7 Seater 4WD
Price: From €61,995
Engine: 1.5-litre petrol electric hybrid
Power: 211hp
Top speed: 180 km/h
Acceleration (0-100 km/h): 7.2 seconds
Motor Tax: €270 per year
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
The X-Trail is one of the most polished and desirable SUVs on the market