Cheaper Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER variant announced

All-new ute landing early this year with more equipment and higher prices.

By Carsales staff

Nissan is bringing e-Power to the people with confirmation that a new, more affordable version of its cutting-edge hybrid-powered X-Trail will be available in local showrooms later this year.

Less than two months after the launch of the first X-Trail e-Power models, which are initially available only in the top-of-the-range Ti and Ti-L specifications, the Japanese brand has added a third variant based on the mid-range ST-L.

With a starting price of $49,490 (plus on-roads), it will make the company’s innovative range-extending electric drivetrain even more attainable.

In doing so, the ST-L misses out on some of the niceties offered in the Ti and Ti-L models, including a heads-up display, digital instrument cluster, quilted leather trim, a full-length glass sunroof, tri-zone climate control and the larger 12.3-inch widescreen digital infotainment display.

But that doesn’t mean the ST-L e-Power has been stripped back completely, as it comes with a generous list of standard equipment. This includes 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, fake leather trim, LED headlights, eight-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat, and an 8.0-inch infotainment display with DAB+ digital radio, smartphone mirroring for both Apple and Android devices and a six-speaker audio system.

Importantly for families, it retains the full suite of active safety systems, including intelligent cruise control with traffic sign recognition, predictive forward collision warning, lane departure warning and prevention, rear cross traffic alert with automated emergency braking, tyre pressure monitoring, a 360-degree reversing camera and driver attention alert.

No changes have been made to the dual-motor e-POWER set-up, which flips the script compared to a conventional hybrid powertrain. Where a normal hybrid uses an electric motor to assist the internal combustion engine, Nissan’s e-Power configuration uses a pair of electric motors to drive the wheels while a lean-burning, variable compression ratio 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine acts as an on-board generator to constantly replenish the lightweight, small capacity 2.1kWh battery pack.

The whole system outputs a class-competitive 157kW and offers all-wheel drive as standard, with the claimed fuel consumption pegged at 6.1L/100km on the combined cycle.

“Nissan’s e-POWER technology has been incredibly well received by our customers, and we’re excited to be able to offer this efficient, EV-like drive experience across even more of the X-TRAIL range,” Nissan Australia managing director Adam Paterson said.

“We’ve always said that e-POWER needs to be driven to be believed, and the introduction of the X-TRAIL ST-L e-POWER with e-4ORCE will give even more people the opportunity to do just that.”

The most affordable e-POWER product offered here to date will arrive Down Under in the second half of the year and simultaneously herald the arrival of the first all-paw ST-L five-seat version of the current generation, given all the other ST-Ls are either front-drive five-seaters or AWD seven-seaters.

How much does the 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER cost?

• ST-L e-4ORCE – $49,490
• Ti e-4ORCE – $54,190
• Ti-L e-4ORCE – $57,190
• Prices exclude on-road costs

^{Disclaimer: Images supplied by Nissan Australia.}

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