The Nissan X-Trail finds itself in a rather peculiar situation: it was launched in the Philippines after the automaker showed off the all-new one which will be launched, get this, later this year. Being a step behind the rest of the world in terms of launch timing made Nissan Philippines an easy target for critics who say that they’re simply not trying hard enough. Whether that’s true or not is subject to debate, but the important thing here is that at least they’re weaning themselves off overreliance on a product or two to drive up sales.
What you see here is the fourth-generation X-Trail, a model which was released back in 2021. Being five years old, it’s already old enough to attend kindergarten if it were a person. To a degree, it shows. In terms of looks, it’s not in lockstep with the more modern, more emotional Nissans like the Patrol and Z. Instead, it has more in common with the Navara and Terra—models which have been on sale in the market for some time, long in the tooth even. Still, giving credit where its due, at least it looks elegant with the right amount of flash.
Thanks to Executive Order 62, wherein hybrids enjoy the same tax perks as battery electric vehicles, the X-Trail enters the market with the e-Power powertrain exclusively. Despite what Nissan says in their marketing spiels, the setup is a serial hybrid. The combustion engine serves as an on-board generator which charges the batteries which powers the electric motor which drives the wheels. It’s a piece of tech which Nissan introduced to great success with the Kicks e-Power.
Unlike the Kicks, Nissan understood that a compact SUV raison d'être is more power. It’s for this reason why they plopped in the more powerful BM46 electric motor that drives the front wheels. With 204 horsepower and 330 Nm, it’s plenty for a family-oriented SUV. And since it’s the electric motor doing all the heavy lifting, the X-Trail has this wonderful linearity and smoothness that other hybrids can’t match.
Surprisingly, despite shifting to an energy hungry motor, Nissan still opted to stick with a dinky battery. With a usable capacity of just 1.8 kWh, it’s similar in size to the Kicks e-Power. What this means is a noticeably shorter all-electric range compared to the Kicks e-Power before the gas generator kicks to life. What’s more, the X-Trail has to use a more powerful motor—a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder in this case—just to make sure the it can sufficiently can keep up with its battery usage.
Despite that, however, fuel consumption is largely controlled. After a week’s worth of driving, it averaged 14.92 km/L—figures which are pretty close to the Kicks e-Power (16.39 km/L). Playing a huge part in eking out the most out of every drop is the variable compression feature of the generator which switches ratios for efficiency (14:1) or power (8:1). And, don’t let the 3-cylinder layout fool you. It’s nicely muted and hums away in the background.
The e-Power drivetrain fits well with the rest of the X-Trail’s character. Compared to other compact SUVs which have more of a driver’s bent to them, this one prefers to be a smooth cruiser. In the city, the ride’s plush and well-controlled, smoothening out road imperfections and overnight potholes. At higher speeds, it’s stable enough while keeping wind and road noise hushed. Handling feels planted and secure, but won’t quicken the pulse.
Inside, the X-Trail is thoroughly impressive. It’s spacious, airy, and plush for the most part. Nissan has done well to keep things modern, anchoring the digital experience on the two 12.3-inch screens. The gauge part is highly legible and offer the right amount of customization. The infotainment, on the other hand, although sporting built-in Google integration, still looks messy. Nonetheless, navigating through the menus is easy enough and smartphone integration is seamless.
The rest of the cabin receives high marks. Build quality is excellent, down to the crisp-feeling switchgear and plenty of squishy plastics. And though it looks out of place, there’s even a matte wood trim running the across dashboard. The front seats are easily one of the best in its class with its wide backrest and generous thigh support. The rear is equally commendable with full-sized headrests for the outboard passengers and a built-in 60/40 sliding mechanism for additional flexibility.
In terms of luxury accoutrements, the X-Trail comes well-equipped with leather seats with power adjustment for the front occupants, tri-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, and even rear side window shades. The last one though is superfluous as the rear glass already has a privacy tint built-in. Perhaps Nissan could have either gone with memory presets for the driver or add front seat ventilation instead.
Issues? Fairly minor ones, but they are a source of annoyance. Not to mention, they betray the X-Trail’s age in terms of technology. For one, there’s no way to customize the door locks whether to automatically lock at a certain speed, or unlock when it shuts off. Unless it’s one of those functions Nissan tucked away, it’s purely a manual job. Next up, there are no paddle shifters or adjustable regen levels to speak of. There are only two modes—Drive or Brake—and they’re only accessible when the electronic shifter’s toggled down. Finally, when it boils down to it, the ADAS is quite simply with Nissan ProPilot missing in action. For a P 2.29-million SUV, there’s no adaptive cruise control, no lane keeping aid; only the basic stuff. At least, it’s got a full complement of airbags, cameras, and parking sensors.
Clearly, the X-Trail isn’t the newest or most competitive compact SUV out there, but don’t let that deter you. If you can forgive its shortcomings, it still has plenty of redeeming qualities like space, usability, comfort, and fuel efficiency. It’s not the sharpest tool in the shed, but for those seeking something more akin to a cushy family car, it’s a good mind over heart choice.
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2026 Nissan X-Trail e-Power |
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| Bottom Line | |
| Pros | Comfortable and cushy, instant power and torque, fuel efficiency. |
| Cons | Dated looks and tech, arrives late to the compact SUV family. |
| TL;DR | Not the newest or most competitive choice out there, but there's still plenty to like. |
| Ownership | |
| Year Introduced | 2026 |
| Warranty |
3 years / 100,000
kilometers 5 years / 100,000 kilometers (e-Power system) 8 years / 100,000 kilometers (high-voltage battery) |
| The Basics | |
| Body Type | Compact SUV |
| Seating | 5 |
| Engine / Drive | F/F |
| Under the Hood | |
| Displacement (liters) | 1.5 |
| Aspiration | Variable Compression, Turbocharged |
| Fuel Delivery | Direct Injection |
| Layout / # of Cylinders | I3 |
| Maximum Output (PS @ rpm) |
144 @ 4,400 204 (Electric Motor) |
| Maximum Torque (Nm @ rpm) |
250 Nm @ 2,400 330 Nm (Electric Motor) |
| Fuel / Min. Octane | Gasoline / ~91 |
| Transmission | Single Speed |
| Cruise Control | Yes |
| Fuel Economy (km/L) @ Ave. Speed (km/h) | 14.92 km/L @ 22 km/h |
| Fuel Tank Size (L) | 55 |
| Dimensions and Weights | |
| Length (mm) | 4,690 |
| Width (mm) | 1,840 |
| Height (mm) | 1,725 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,705 |
| Curb Weight (kg) | 1,729 |
| Suspension and Tires | |
| Front Suspension | Independent, MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Independent, Multi-link |
| Front Brakes | Vented Disc |
| Rear Brakes | Vented Disc |
| Parking Brake | Electronic, w/ Auto Hold |
| Tires |
Dunlop Grandtrek PT21 235/55 R 18 V (f & r) |
| Recommended Tire Pressure (PSI) | 33 front, 30 rear |
| Wheels | Alloy |
| Safety Features | |
| Airbags | 6 |
| Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) | Yes, with EBD |
| Traction / Stability Control | Yes |
| Parking Sensors | Yes, Front and Rear |
| Parking Camera | Yes, 360-degree |
| Front Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR w/ pre-tensioners x 2 |
| Rear Seatbelts | 3-pt ELR x 3 |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Anchor | Yes |
| Advanced Driver Assist System |
Intelligent Forward
Collision Warning Intelligent Emergency Braking Lane Departure Warning |
| Other Safety Features |
Blind Spot Warning Rear Cross Traffic Alert Driver Attention Assist |
| Exterior Features | |
| Headlights | LED, w/ Auto High Beam |
| Fog Lamps | None |
| Light Operation | Automatic |
| Wiper Operation | Rain-sensing |
| Tailgate | Electric |
| Interior Features | |
| Steering Wheel Adjust | Tilt/Telescopic |
| Steering Wheel Material | Leather |
| Seating Adjustment (driver) | Electric, 8-way, w/ Heating |
| Seating Adjustment (front passenger) | Electric, 8-way, w/ Heating |
| Seating Surface | Leather |
| 2nd Row | 40/20/40 Split Fold w/ Center Armrest, Reclinable, Sliding |
| 3rd Row | None |
| Sunroof | Panoramic |
| Multi-Information Display / Size | Yes, 12.3-inch |
| Convenience Features | |
| Power Steering | Yes |
| Power Door Locks | Yes |
| Power Windows | Yes |
| Power Mirrors | Yes, w/ Fold |
| Rear View Mirror | Auto-dimming, w/ Camera |
| Proximity Key | Yes |
| Climate Control | Tri-Zone, w/ Rear Vent |
| Audio System |
Stereo USB Type C Bluetooth |
| Wireless Charger | Yes, Front |
| Infotainment Display / Size | 12.3-inch |
| Smartphone Connectivity |
Apple CarPlay Android Auto |
| # of Speakers | 7 |
| Steering Controls | Yes |
The hybrid powertrain sets the expectations around the 1.5 million mark. It isn't packaged as a 2 million car should. Sadly, Nissan is beaten by Hyundai and KIA in this regard. To think, they were much more experienced in this segment. A new, competitive car is needed to break the bad juju of this geriatric model.
ReplyDeleteSingle speed transmission? No nissan CVT? 🤔
ReplyDeleteYes...because the engine isn't connected to the drive wheels. It only serves as a generator. It's the electric motor that drives the X-Trail.
DeleteHow do you maintain this thing? I suppose it's more complicated than a traditional hybrid or than a full battery electric.
ReplyDeleteMaintenance is the same as a typical hybrid. It shouldn't be more complicated or costly than that.
DeleteCould it outlive a traditional Toyota hybrid for instance?
DeleteNissan really made a mistake of launching an old model here. But at any rate, this is still ain't bad. It will still give a very smooth, torquey & comfortable ride. My only qualms about it is the absence of the Bose sound system & Adaptive Cruise Control
ReplyDeleteThe e-Power setup sounds like a great fit for drivers who prioritize a smooth and comfortable ride. The 14.92 km/L fuel economy is also respectable for a family-oriented SUV, although the missing adaptive cruise control is a noticeable drawback at this price point.
ReplyDelete