‘Eco’ range and up to seven seats
The Nissan X-Trail is not a rookie on our roads, but rather a model with a long way to go: it came into our lives in 2001 and was part of a small group of 4×4 SUVs in a scenario where compacts were still the kings of road. The arrival of the Qashqai did not end it, and in fact helped it grow in size.
The new X-Trail that will be launched as a 2023 model arrives with a much more differentiated image of the Qashqai than we were used to in the previous generation, and that is that at Nissan they assure that according to their internal studies people want more visual distance between the two Models.
Now its bodywork is more resounding, with more muscular wheel arches and lines that do maintain a family resemblance with respect to its little brother. As a curiosity, the Nissan X-Trail will be somewhat shorter than the model it is going to replace.
This is due to the adoption of the new platform that the Nissan Qashqai already released and that we tested a couple of years ago, although with the suspensions recalibrated for a model that can support more weight on the rear axle, since it can accommodate up to seven occupants. (the two back up to 1.60 meters).
Interior of the Nissan X-Trail 2023: more space and more screens
The interior inherits the DNA of his brother, with a central screen located in the upper part of the dashboard and that is 12.3 inches and handling that is expected to be good if nothing changes.
In addition, the clock box leaves the hands and becomes a 12.3″ TFT screen that, although it is not gigantic, has good legibility (“We do not want a movie screen”) and new things appear in this range, such as a 10.8″ Head-Up Display, the wireless charging system or the e-Shifter, which is nothing more than the small gear lever.
The new X-Trail is designed with everyday usability in mind, which is appreciated. The rear seats will enjoy a flat floor, but I think the most interesting thing is that the rear doors open at an angle of 85 degrees, so access will be one of the best on the market.
According to Nissan, the rear seats will benefit from a three-zone climate control and great visibility thanks to one of the largest practicable panoramic roofs on the market.
The Nissan X-Trail is 100% electrified…
… which does not mean that an electric version will arrive. If you want an SUV of this type, the brand has the Nissan Ariya that we have already tested.
In the case of the X-Trail comes a 1.5 turbocharged three-cylinder engine with two power levels, 140 and 158 hp. Both versions are mild hybrid and, like the Qashqai, you can change the compression ratio depending on whether you need more power or less consumption.
The logic is quite simple: when force is needed, more gasoline is injected into the mixture up to a maximum of 14:1 (14 parts of gasoline to one of air), while neither requires as much thrust and efficiency is prioritized, the ratio drops to 8:1. This system is variable and virtually instantaneous, so when driving it you can’t see anything.
Nissan X-Trail e-Power
The closest version to an electric car that will be found in the X-Trail 2023 family is the e-Power, a hybrid system that premiered on the Note in 2016 in Japan and that has also fallen on its brother in the SUV range.
In the case of the X-Trail, the operation is similar: the 158 hp 1.5 block works as a generator and does not drive the wheels directly. This work is done by an electric motor with a power of 190 CV that is in charge of moving the wheels.
Watch the official presentation of the new X-Trail
The energy is stored in a 2.1 kWh battery (it weighs 55 kilos) located under the driver’s seat and although it could move Nissan’s new SUV for two or three kilometers, its main task is to act as a bridge (more or less) between what is generated with gasoline and the drive wheels. The e-Power also supports “one pedal mode”, so there is no need to brake to stop the car (it can be deactivated).
The good part of this system is that since the three-cylinder only has the function of sending energy to the battery, its operating regime tends to be constant and to stay in the optimum zone. For example, under normal circumstances it works at about 1,600 rpm, although if you need more, it can go up to 4,800 laps (for example, in Sport mode).
For the brand, the Nissan X-Trail 2023 with e-Power technology is “the perfect transition to electrification”, although in this sense, the entire range will have the DGT Eco sticker.
There will also be an X-Trail e-Power e-4orce
That is, a Nissan X-Trail four-wheel drive. Its operation is quite far from the first generations: here there is no physical connection between the two axes, but two electric motors appear, one in front and one behind, which come into operation in 0.001 seconds.
The advantages of this is that the Nissan SUV can have Torque Vectoring and apart from that it allows you to enjoy dual regenerative braking. It is not that it regenerates faster, but that it can be distributed between the two axes and thus the battery charges better.
The power of the Nissan X-Trail e-Power e-4rce is 213 hp, since the power of the front engine (190 hp) and the rear (136 kW) are combined. In addition, it will have five driving modes: off-piste, ice / snow, normal, eco and sport.
Nissan X-Trail 2023 in Spain: when is it sold?
The new X-Trail will accept reservations as early as this September and will hit our roads at the end of 2022, although there are still no prices or a defined range.
In some markets all three engines will appear at the same time, although in Spain it is most likely that the e-Power version will do so first, as Adrien Lavesque, Director of Product Marketing, told me. And it is that the safest thing is that in Europe the most successful version is precisely this…
