Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER 2023 Review

The 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER with e-4ORCE (to give it its full name) sits atop the newly launched fourth-generation mid-size SUV range.

There are two variants: the $54,190 (plus on-road costs) Ti and the $57,190 (plus ORCs) Ti-L flagship we are primarily focussed on here.

Obviously, these vehicles enter a whole new pricing stratosphere for X-TRAIL, sitting $4200 above the orthodox Ti and Ti-L models that launched here in late 2022.

That’s reflective of their complex petrol-electric dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrain. There are cheaper single-motor front-wheel drive X-TRAIL e-POWER models offered overseas, but for now at least they aren’t coming here.

Rivals for the X-TRAIL e-POWER are many and varied, reflecting the massive amount of competition in the medium SUV segment.

But here are two that have a similar but different electrified skew: The Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV (PHEV) and the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – Australia’s top-selling SUV and hybrid.

If fuel-saving is a strong consideration then maybe a turbo-diesel Hyundai Tucson might be of interest as well.

Or if you just want to skip the petrol-electric halfway house then the Nissan LEAF battery-electric hatch is also in this price range.

There is no better equipped 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL than the Ti-L e-POWER. Not even the orthodox Ti-L with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine gets the 20-inch alloys and Michelin rubber the electrified version picks up. But then the e-POWER models miss out on a spare tyre, so it’s give and take.

Otherwise, the two Ti-L versions do share almost all luxury equipment above and beyond the rest of the range including quilted Nappa leather-accented seat trim, a Bose 10-speaker audio, heated steering wheel, ambient interior lighting in the console and doors, heated outboard second-row seats, driver’s seat and door mirror memory system, rear sunshades and motion sensing for the power tailgate with position sensing.

The two X-TRAIL e-POWER models exclusively include active noise cancelling and a V-Motion grille in black.

Other equipment highlights include a panoramic sunroof, tri-zone climate control (that worked well on a stinking hot day), 10-way power adjustable front seats with heating, roof rails and privacy glass.

The Nissan X-TRAIL comes with a five-year/unlimited-km warranty and five years of roadside assistance. Service intervals are 12 months or a short 10,000km and cost an average $508.16 for each the first six times you visit the dealership.

The 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL Ti-L e-POWER reflects the rest of the range in coming with a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on 2021 testing protocols.

Driving assistants are incorporated within Nissan’s ProPILOT system, which offers semi-autonomous control of braking and acceleration and has a stop-and-go function for heavy traffic.

The autonomous emergency braking system with junction assist operates above 5km/h. It can react to pedestrians and cyclists between 10km/h and 80km/h, but may not spot them in dim or dark conditions.

Adaptive cruise control with traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning and prevention, rear cross traffic alert with emergency braking and driver monitoring are also standard features.

There are seven airbags, including one fitted centre-front to prevent head knocks. LED headlights with adaptive high-beam and LED tail-lights and DRLs are standard across the range.

All X-TRAILs come with a reversing cameras and most with a 360-degree monitor. There are front and rear parking sensors but no auto parking assistant.

Reflected in the windscreen is a 10.8-inch head-up display that provides navigation, driver assistance and road information.

Child seat tethers are fitted to all second-row seats and ISOFIX mounts are in the outboard seats.

Most X-TRAILs come with an internal mirror that also offers a camera view. Previously sampled examples of this tech have proved a bit disconcerting, but the Nissan version is clearer and therefore quicker to view.

Ti-Ls exclusively come with door mirrors that tilt when reversing.

The 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL Ti-L e-POWER has joined the rush to digital screens. A 12.3-inch touch-screen sits on the dashboard and there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in front of the driver.

The touch-screen includes embedded sat-nav, provides access to entertainment options and vehicle settings. It is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and cabled Android Auto and offers Bluetooth streaming.

Smartphones can also be charged wirelessly. The X-TRAIL e-POWER’s audio system includes AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio.

Hard buttons are retained for climate control and some audio controls, rather than being buried in the touch-screen.

The instrument cluster includes a power meter, speedometer and sub menus including a trip computer, an educative energy flow graphic, audio settings and a safety display for driver assist settings (among other things).

The screen can be easily swapped from a traditional look with dual dials to something more modern where the sub menus occupy more space.

There are four USBs in the cabin (USB-A and USB-C front and rear). There are 12V outlets in the dashboard and the cargo area.

All X-TRAILs come with intelligent key access and push-button start. However, only the Ti-Ls come with remote engine start.

The 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL Ti-L e-POWER has what is usually known as a range-extender hybrid powertrain.

That means the petrol engine – in this case a variable-compression 1.5-litre turbo-petrol triple – is used purely to generate electrical charge.

That electricity is fed to the small 1.8kWh (useable) lithium-ion battery or the electric motors that are mounted on each axle and act as an all-wheel drive system that Nissan calls e-4ORCE.

Nissan insists the petrol engine never drives the wheels, unlike the hybrid system in the Toyota RAV4.

The front electric motor generates 150kW/330Nm and the rear e-motor 100kW/195Nm. The petrol engine is rated at 106kW and 250Nm.

The combined output is rated at 157kW, but no torque figure is given. It feels substantial in the driving (which we’ll get to shortly).

The Nissan drives the front and rear wheels via a single-speed reduction gear. Nissan claims e-4ORCE’s rear torque response is up to 10,000 times faster than a mechanical AWD system.

One of the arguments Nissan puts in favour of the 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL Ti-L e-POWER is it is more frugal than the orthodox X-TRAIL and therefore saves you money at the pump.

The claimed consumption rate is 6.1L/100km versus 7.8L/100km for a 2.5-litre Ti-L 4x4. Working on $2 per litre of fuel and driving 15,000km per annum, that equates to eight years to reclaim the $4200 difference paid upfront.

Bear in mind the e-POWER might stretch its advantage around town where the e-motors will have more influence. But countering that the 2.5-litre engine uses cheaper 91 RON fuel versus the 95 RON recommended for the hybrid. All up, it’s not the most compelling argument financially to spend the extra dosh.

There are ways to stretch the e-POWER’s fuel advantage. EV Mode – as its name suggests – runs the car as an EV. But that only lasts a short time because the battery is so small.

Brake and E-Pedal modes are measures designed to boost electricity regeneration. The latter offers an almost single pedal experience, eventually slowing the car to walking pace when the accelerator is lifted.

In the real world, experimenting with EV, e-Pedal and brake modes, our average came out at around 6.7L/100km (7.4L/100km on a shorter, hillier section with gravel).

Combined with a 55-litre fuel tank that delivers a range beyond 800km, which craps on most EVs – although you have emitted around 124,000 grams of CO2 doing it.

Where the 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL Ti-L e-POWER with e-4ORCE really shows off the value of its hybrid powertrain is in the driving rather than the fuel consumption numbers.

The front e-motor is intentionally high torque and when the accelerator is pressed the response is smooth, strong and quiet. Even up steep hills it surges forward.

It’s far better than the dreary 7.0sec 0-100km/h claim or the porky 1911kg kerb mass might suggest. It’s also a notable advance over the 2.5-litre four in orthodox X-TRAILs.

The weird bit is the way the petrol engine behaves in contrast with what you’re doing with the accelerator. It will idle along doing its charging thing at times when the e-motors are revving hard scaling a hill.

The engine will even turnover rolling down a hill to expel excess electricity if the battery is full and the e-motors aren’t working (it doesn’t use fuel in this mode though).

Aligning with the alert and responsive powertrain – it’s well alert and responsive in normal and sport, but stultifying Eco drive modes – is a chassis system underpinned by a new platform that delivers a distinct step up in handling and ride compared to the old X-TRAIL.

It’s much more controlled and competent in its responses to the electric-assist steering, has better body control in corners and – dare I say it – is even a little bit of fun to drive. The steering is light for low-speed operation and weights up at speed, especially in Sport drive mode.

Nissan says e-4ORCE helps smooth out handling by distributing power and braking force to individual wheels and aids the ride by using the regenerative braking function of the rear e-motor to reduce pitch and dive.

Just a note here on the ride. It is edgier in the Ti-L with its 255/45R20 rubber than the less aggressive 235/55R19s on the X-TRAIL Ti. Adaptive damping would help here. The fatter tyres also generates more road noise.

Cruising on the freeway enabled the engagement of ProPILOT, which proved almost as intuitive as the excellent Ford Ranger/Everest driver assist systems we’ve recently sampled. It lane-centred well, but even in its mildest mode it jumped away from white lines like an electrocuted rabbit.

It probably can. The 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL Ti-L e-POWER even has off-road drive modes to support such a thing. All we did was drive on some gravel roads, which e-4ORCE dealt with drama-free.

The lack of a spare tyre kinda shoots things down though.

Compared to its predecessor that first appeared in 2014, the 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL has an interior that is a stunning upgrade.

The latest X-TRAIL has a sweeping, modern cabin design, uses materials that look and feel high-quality (although the piano black does quickly get smudgy) and at first glance has the fit and finish expected of a Japanese-built vehicle.

We’re clearly experiencing the best on offer in the Ti-L, but the Ti is not far off it in terms of premium appointments and all X-TRAILs share an impressive amount of interior space up-front and in the sliding three-way split/folding rear seat.

That’s despite the new X-TRAIL actually measuring up a frag shorter than its predecessor, although its wheelbase is longer and it is wider.

One thing missing is the seven-seat three-row configuration that’s offered in the entry-level ST and ST-L models.

It would add to the value proposition of the X-TRAIL Ti-L e-POWER, but also decrease boot space, which would drop from a generous 575 litres to 465 litres.

With design touches like a flying bridge centre console, the X-TRAIL is a storage king throughout the cabin. The boot is definitely the best bit with its modular storage options. I could remove one panel and drop a large suitcase into the hole created. Then, the panel re-inserts vertically to ensure cargo stays in place. Simple and helpful.

The driver gets reach and rake adjustment for the steering wheel and plenty of seat adjustment to ensure a comfortable driving position.

In the rear seat there are climate controls, USB outlets, plentiful storage and a good view out. Entry and exit is aided by wide-opening doors.

The 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL Ti-L e-POWER is an impressive piece of work. It is much improved over its predecessor, which had fallen to the back of the pack by the time it was replaced.

The stumbling block is the price. At around $60,000 on the road, the X-TRAIL Ti-L e-POWER is up against some heavy-hitting opposition that extends far beyond the obvious family SUV rivals.

But that doesn’t detract from Nissan’s achievement here. It is to be congratulated for delivering a stylish, interesting and enjoyable vehicle that deserves to be taken seriously.

2023 Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER Ti-L with e-4ORCE at a glance:
Price: $57,190 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol-electric
Output: 106kW/250Nm (electric motors: 150kW/330Nm and 100kW/195Nm)
Combined output: 157kW (torque NA)
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Fuel: 6.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 139g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP – 2021)