Nissan has expanded the electrified X-TRAIL range in Australia, introducing three front-wheel-drive e-POWER variants designed to reduce the entry price and improve fuel efficiency compared with the existing all-wheel-drive models.
The MY26 range adds 2WD e-POWER versions of the ST-L, Ti and Ti-L, effectively doubling the number of X-TRAIL e-POWER variants available from three to six. Prices start at $45,990 before on-road costs for the ST-L 2WD e-POWER.
Unlike a conventional hybrid, Nissan’s e-POWER system uses an electric motor exclusively to drive the wheels. The petrol engine operates as a generator to produce electricity, giving drivers an electric-motor driving experience without requiring external charging.
That configuration may appeal to fleet and business operators looking to reduce fuel consumption and emissions without introducing charging infrastructure or changing established operating patterns.
Lower fuel use for 2WD e-POWER
The new front-wheel-drive variants have a claimed combined fuel consumption figure of 5.4L/100km, compared with 6.1L/100km for the AWD e-POWER models.
Nissan says this represents an improvement of approximately 11.5 per cent. Combined CO2 emissions are listed at 123g/km for the 2WD models, compared with 139g/km for the AWD versions.
Removing the all-wheel-drive system also brings down the purchase price, with the new models positioned between $2,925 and $3,500 below their equivalent AWD e-POWER variants.
Pricing for the new variants is:
- X-TRAIL ST-L 2WD e-POWER: $45,990
- X-TRAIL Ti 2WD e-POWER: $50,915
- X-TRAIL Ti-L 2WD e-POWER: $54,715
Prices are manufacturer’s recommended list prices and exclude on-road costs.
For fleet buyers, the addition of 2WD variants creates a potentially more relevant specification for metropolitan and general-purpose applications where the added capability and cost of all-wheel drive may not be required.
Rock Creek joins the range
Nissan has also added a new Rock Creek grade, although this model uses a conventional petrol powertrain rather than e-POWER.
Based on the seven-seat ST-L 4WD, Rock Creek receives unique exterior styling including an exclusive grille, 18-inch alloy wheels, black exterior details and orange accents. Inside, it gains ballistic nylon-trimmed seats, orange stitching, a 10.8-inch head-up display and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
The Rock Creek is priced at $48,315 before on-road costs.
