The dust has barely settled on the November 2022 launch of Nissan’s impressive new fourth-generation X-Trail medium SUV when we’re back at the tiller of two additional variants featuring the brand’s new e-POWER and e-4ORCE technologies.

uo;re wondering what e-POWER is, it’s a new electrified drivetrain technology that features a combustion engine working as a motor generator to charge a battery and power the vehicle’s twin electric motors.

The other new naming convention ‘e-4ORCE’ is the Japanese car maker’s new electrified AWD system and is currently available only on X-Trails with e-POWER.

In Australia, e-POWER and e-4ORCE are symbiotic and only available in the flagship X-Trail Ti and Ti-L trim grades.

This means the two new X-Trail e-POWER with e-4ORCE variants sit atop the eight-variant X-Trail range with all other models featuring Nissan’s 135kW/244Nm 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine.

The e-POWER models feature a variable-compression turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, a 2.1kWh battery, power generator, inverter and a single electric motor at either axle.

The interesting bit is that the combustion engine never actually drives the wheels.

Instead, the petrol engine is used solely to generate electricity to feed the battery, which supplies power to the electric motors via an inverter. Because power to the wheels comes only from the electric motors, response is more instant and linear than a regular ICE or hybrid, delivering an EV-like drive experience without needing to plug in and recharge.

If you’re thinking an electrified drivetrain that doesn’t need to be plugged in sounds a lot like a hybrid, you’d be right, although this is not a hybrid as we’ve come to know the technology via Toyota.

With e-POWER, the driven wheels are powered exclusively by the electric motors, whereas in a Toyota hybrid the electric motor and combustion engine can both drive the wheels, either individually or in tandem.

Nissan says because the X-Trail e-POWER is driven exclusively by its electric motors, it delivers a more EV-like drive experience, mimicking the instant, linear and smooth acceleration response of EVs.

The car maker also makes a positive from the fact the battery is charged by the combustion engine, meaning range anxiety is not a concern.

Critics will say that, unlike full battery electric vehicles, e-POWER still produces tailpipe emissions, so is part of the problem, not the solution. We’ll leave the ideological arguments to others and instead focus on what the X-Trail e-POWER with e-4ORCE is like to drive.

With outputs of 150kW/330Nm at the front axle and 100kW/195Nm at the rear, the e-POWER equipped X-Trails are notably quicker off the mark than their ICE stablemates.

Indeed, the twin-electric motor combination propels the e-POWER variants from 0-100km/h in 7.0 seconds, 1.9 seconds quicker than the equivalent ICE variants.

That’s even more impressive when you consider that the e-POWER Ti and Ti-L tip the scales some 235kg and 239kg heavier than their ICE equivalents.

Balancing that somewhat is the fact e-POWER models have a maximum braked towing capacity of 1,650kg, where their 2.5-litre four-cylinder powered ICE equivalents are now rated to haul 2,000kg.

The e-POWER variants win back some ground by sipping fuel at a claimed 6.1L/100km combined cycle versus 7.8L/100km for ICE variants and hence emitting a lower 139g/km of CO2 versus 183g/km for 4x4 ICE variants.

Equipped with identical capacity 55-litre fuel tanks, e-POWER variants have a potential range of 900km between fills, where ICE X-Trails will be looking for a servo at the 700km mark.

Despite this, the X-Trail e-POWER’s 6.1L/100km combined cycle figure is still above the 4.8L/100km figure claimed by Toyota for its equivalent RAV4 Edge Hybrid eFour, which at $56,650 is priced and equipped competitively with e-POWER Ti and Ti-L variants.

Nissan’s response seems designed to ruffle feathers with rival Toyota, with a spokesperson saying e-POWER delivers a closer real-world fuel figure than rival hybrid systems.

That’s something we can only verify with a back-to-back test but over the course of several hundred kilometers of spirited back-road driving, the X-Trail’s consumption hovered consistently around 7.0L/100km, which is closer than many brands get to their publicised combined cycle figure.

As previously noted, the e-POWER and e-4ORCE combination is available only in generously equipped X-Trail Ti and Ti-L trim levels and in five-seat configuration, where some X-Trail variants offer a compact third row.

Pricing starts at $54,190 (MRLP) for the X-Trail Ti e-POWER, rising to $57,190 for the range-topping Ti-L e-POWER.

In both cases that’s a $4,200 premium over the equivalent ICE-powered X-Trail, which compares with the circa $3,000 extra Toyota charges to opt for the hybrid version of its RAV4.

You’ll need to do a lot of driving to recoup the outlay over an ICE model in fuel savings alone, but the X-Trail e-POWER models have more to recommend them than just efficiency.  

These new X-Trail variants also debut Nissan’s e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system, which is designed to work exclusively with the company’s electrified powertrains.

The system is constantly active and promises much faster torque response than a mechanical 4WD system, automatically optimising front and rear torque allocation, along with side-to-side torque vectoring.

The system applies independent brake control at each wheel when cornering, which allows the car to carve a cleaner cornering line, requiring fewer steering inputs. And because e-4ORCE sends power to the outer wheels in a turn, agility and stability are enhanced, with high traction levels even in wet and slippery conditions.

Over the course of a single-day drive program from Maroochydore to Maleny, Esk and back to Brisbane on a variety of sealed and unsealed back roads, the new X-Trail variants proved impressively well resolved.

Ride, handling and performance were all very nicely sorted, the X-Trail riding smoothly and confidently over some ragged blacktop, while the handling on some of the more demanding sections was very impressive.

The e-4ORCE system did a fine job of keeping the X-Trail pointed in the right direction and inspiring confidence even on slippery gravel sections, where its near instantaneous ability to send drive front to rear or side to side ensured strong grip and good stability.

Performance was also very brisk, the X-Trial e-POWER living up to Nissan’s claims that it feels like an EV, with an instant surge of torque providing keen off-the-mark and rolling acceleration.

One thing noticeably absent was the pronounced ‘rev up’ effect you feel in regular hybrids when you step on the gas, prompting the combustion engine to kick in and assist the electric motor.

Nissan says this is due in part to the way its tiny three-cylinder engine is always spinning at an appropriate speed relative to road speed, meaning it doesn’t have to suddenly gather its skirts when more speed is demanded.

The company says it also wants to avoid the disconnected CVT-like rubber band feeling of some hybrids, so increasing engine speed in line with vehicle speed in a linear fashion simulates the fixed-gear acceleration of an EV.

Under gentle acceleration the engine is limited to lower revs so is very quiet in the background, but even under hard acceleration the system is impressively quiet, thanks in part to fitment of an active noise-cancelling speaker in the luggage bay. 

Despite this, the engine can definitely be heard faintly when accelerating hard, although it’s not intrusive and there are many occasions when it’s barely audiblel, including when being driven in EV mode which activates an acoustic alert for pedestrians and other road users.

As in other hybrids and EVs, the traction battery is charged through regenerative braking on both the front and rear motors.

In lieu of paddle shifts, there are three selectable regenerative braking levels: standard or default when in Drive; Brake mode, activated by pulling back on the e-selector gear lever; and a separate e-Pedal switch on the centre console for maximum braking/regeneration.  

An interesting characteristic of the ‘e-Pedal step’ feature is the fact it uses the foundation braking system to complement regenerative braking and automatically pulls the brake pedal down to the position where it would naturally be when braking manually, to deliver a more natural braking experience for the driver. 

Design-wise e-POWER variants feature the same floating roof and V-Motion styling cues as other X-Trails but are distinguished by unique badging and a dark grille garnish.

The attractively designed and well-appointed cabin includes all the latest new technology features, including 12.3-inch TFT multi-information screen.

Elsewhere, the appealing medium SUV packaging includes wide-opening rear doors for easy access, sliding second-row seats, tri-zone air-conditioning with independent temperature controls and integrated rear door sunshades

The new X-Trail also comes loaded with active safety tech and achieved a 2021 five-star ANCAP rating.

It’s also pleasingly practical, with 575L of boot space making this one of the best-in-category for luggage capacity, while Nissan’s clever Divide-n-Hide luggage system adds versatility, as do the split-fold rear seats and power tailgate.

A neat feature is the smart rear-view mirror, which adds a camera to the rear of vehicle, allowing the driver to use the traditional mirror, or flip a switch to use a video view, which can be handy if passengers or luggage are obstructing the view.

Standard features of the Ti e-POWER include leather-accented seating, 19-inch alloys, panoramic sunroof, LED turn signals, tri-zone climate control, adaptive headlights, auto wipers and power-operated rear tailgate.

Inside, there’s a 12.3-inch, navigation-equipped touchscreen, a 10.8-inch head-up display, wireless phone charging, wireless Apple CarPlay, and a 12.3-inch TFT digital driver display.

Stepping up to the flagship Ti-L e-POWER brings a heated steering wheel, Bose 10-speaker sound system, quilted Nappa leather-accented seats with memory function, rear sunshades, hands-free rear tailgate, heated rear outboard seats, and remote engine start.

In summary, with the X-Trail e-POWER Nissan has itself a very capable and impressive rival for the incredibly popular Toyota RAV4 hybrid.

Critics will point to the fact that the Nissan is not as fuel-efficient as the Toyota, but where the Nissan has an appealing edge is in its performance and dynamic ability.

Ironically, the X-Trail e-POWER may not be a vehicle you buy primarily for its fuel-saving ability, but one you choose instead for its more spirited performance and enhanced driving dynamics, both of which are above the class average.

The fact it’s reasonably fuel-efficient and comes wrapped in a stylish and well-appointed package should further enhance its showroom appeal.

Key stats

• RETAIL PRICE: $57,190 (MRLP)
• POWER TRAIN: Variable compression turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine, 2.1kWh battery, twin electric motors, 150kW/330Nm (f), 100kW/195Nm (r)
• ANCAP SAFETY RATING: 5 stars (2021)
• BODY STYLE: Medium SUV
• FUEL CONSUMPTION: (Combined): 6.1L/100km (139g/km CO2)
• FOR: Fuel efficiency, EV-like performance, keen handling, stylish design, premium fit out, strong safety and technology package, roomy and versatile, interior layout, availability of seven seats.
• AGAINST: Price, lower tow rating than ICE variants, no seven-seat option, 95 RON fuel recommended.