If there’s one clear sign that things aren’t going so well over at Nissan, it’s with their latest compact SUV: the X-Trail Plug-In Hybrid. Known as the Rogue in the United States, where it’ll be sold first, Nissan basically did a lazy job by just installing a new grille onto the existing Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and calling it a day.
To recall, the Outlander and the X-Trail (Rogue) do share the same platform, but at least there has been some attempt to give it some differentiation be it through design, interior, and packaging. In fact, the X-Trail is available with the e-Power drivetrain which Nissan says is not suitable for the North American market.
However, for Nissan’s first-ever plug-in hybrid offering in the United States, they basically got an Outlander PHEV and slapped on a new grille and badges.
Like its Mitsubishi equivalent, the Nissan X-Trail PHEV combines two electric motors, a 20-kWh lithium-ion battery, and a 2.4-liter gasoline engine.
The system seamlessly blends output from the motors and gas engine to deliver the performance efficiency demanded by the driver at any time. It offers all-electric driving for quiet, efficient everyday trips (up to 61 kilometers), plus the versatility of gas-hybrid driving to go farther.
The battery, when plugged into a house outlet can be charged in 7.5 hours. And because of its small-ish battery, fast charging (DC charging) is not possible.
The total system output is rated at 248 horsepower and 436 Nm of torque, oddly enough, lower than the refreshed Outlander PHEV. All-wheel drive is also standard issue as are seven drive modes that optimizes both power delivery and torque distribution.
Inside, the X-Trail PHEV standard three-row seating. The driver has a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and an optional 10-inch heads-up display. A 9-speaker Bose sound system is also an available option.
Keeping devices charged is a cinch with a standard wireless phone charger and front and rear USB ports. Optionally, it also has a pair of 120-volt, 1,500-watt power outlets that can operate small appliances.
For now, the X-Trail (Rogue) PHEV has been confirmed for the United States where it will go on sale in 2026. It is not known if it will be offered elsewhere after.
IS rebadging a sign that things aren't going well? Toyota has like 8 or 9 models which are rebadged Suzukis, so are they lazy for doing that too?
ReplyDeleteNot lazy but cost savings and its ok.
ReplyDeleteThis is just their stopgap before Nissan will introduce the 3rd-gen e-Power for the United States along with the next-gen X-trail. Apparantly, the current 2nd-gen e-Power is not ideal for the United States. In return, Mitsubishi gets to rebadge the Nissan Leaf (likely to be called the Lancer Sportback. Yuck)
ReplyDeleteBut yeah, quite disappointing that it is a literal rebadge when the Outlander in itself is a reskinned X-trail already! It wouldn't have been difficult for Nissan to put their own skin on top of the Outlander mehcanicals because they are basically the same car underneath.
I hope the upcoming Navara launching in Australia tomorrow won't be as lazy as this...
The overall car, not just the drivetrain, is not even based on the latest refreshe of the Outlander PHEV. The latest refresh uses the latest Nissan infotainment system and connect features paired to the Yamaha Sound System (apparantly, the 12-speaker version of this system is one of the best in the industry based on reviews). The dashboard, center console and seats are from the pre-refresh Outlander also. I don't know what they were thinking. It almost seems like Mitsubishi is intentionally giving Nissan the shorter end of the stick.
ReplyDeleteThis is similar to the Nissan Livina MPV which is still based on the pre-facelift Mitsubishi Xpander but with newer infotaiment screen.
DeleteNissan will supply OEM Nissan Urvan diesel van and Leaf EVs to Mitsubishi next year.
To re-badge is not exactly bad but how it is re-badged is the issue. Hyundai & Kia share the same platform and body but each brand can apply its uniqueness without looking like copy then replace the badge.
ReplyDeleteHyundai K2700 and Hyundai H-1 commercial vehicles says hi.
DeleteHa! The "Dynamic Shield" camoed into the "V-Motion" by optical illusion!
ReplyDelete\_(",)_/
Nissan: "After the Xpander, then this Outlander. Triton you're next.....Triton? Hey Triton get back here!.....Ok lets proceed with the Montero/Pajero instead."
Looks good.
ReplyDeleteSo far Nissan Livina which is a rebadged Mitsubishi Xpander outsold the Nissan Kicks and Almera in the Philippine market.
This is American exclusive vehicle.
Nissan is doing everything to survive. It may be lazy but whatever it takes to launch a new product
ReplyDeleteThey still got backing from Dongfeng which is good
DeleteNot really doing everything.
DeleteIf they just wanted to survive then they would have gone along with Carlos Ghosn's plan to have Nissan completely under Renault. But instead they put him in prison (solitary confinement, no less) on charges of doing stuff that apparently were common practices because they (other Nissan execs and the Japanese Government) REALLY didn't want a Japanese company under a foreign company.
And then Nissan also abandoned the talks with Honda because they didn't like/want to be the junior partner in the relationship. There's so much ego in their leadership that it will sully your perception of the brand once you're aware of it.
Didn't toyota do that with Mazda 2 in america?
ReplyDeleteFeels like Nissan is now copying Mitsubishi instead of Mitsubishi copying Nissan.
ReplyDeleteThey are in an agreement.
DeleteMitsubishi will supply OEM to Nissan with Outlander PHEV to be the Rogue PHEV, while Nissan will supply OEM to Mitsubishi next year with Leaf to be the Lancer Sportback EV.
Here in the eastern side of the world, Nissan will be supplying the NV350 Urvan in the Philippines to be the Mitsubishi Versa Van. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi will supply Nissan the Xpander to be the Livina in Philippines. In Australia, Mitsubishi will supply the Triton to be Nissan's next generation Navara.
They are simply covering each other's product gaps.
It's lazy but necessary considering what the company's going through right now....
ReplyDelete