New Nissan X-Trail coming to South Africa – Here’s your first look

The new Nissan X-Trail is planned for a South African introduction in April 2023, ushering in the fourth generation of the popular SUV.

In global markets, the X-Trail is available with a pure internal combustion engine (ICE), a mild-hybrid powertrain, or two range-extender hybrid configurations under the brand’s e-Power banner.

In South Africa, however, the vehicle will initially only be offered as a petrol model, but that’s not to say the manufacturer won’t bring its hybrid technologies to the country.

“Whilst Nissan South Africa strongly believes our unique e-Power technology is the stepping stone to Africa’s adoption of electric vehicles, South African motorists can expect an ICE range which boasts a suite of tech features at the April launch,” said Stefan Haasbroek, Nissan Africa CMM Director.

“More information on specifications, which include powertrains, will be announced at the time of the various launches planned across Africa.”

On that note, the SUV’s smaller sibling, the Qashqai e-Power, is on its way to South Africa and is anticipated to make landfall in early 2024. With this in mind, it’s not unreasonable to expect the hybrid X-Trail to follow suit.

At the recent launch of e-Power in Cape Town, Nissan showcased the X-Trail in range-topping e-4orce specification to give us our first taste of what’s, hopefully, to come.

e-4orce explained

Like the Qashqai e-Power, the X-Trail e-4orce is a range-extender hybrid with one important distinction, this being the number 4 in the name that alludes to this drivetrain turning all four wheels instead of only the front two.

In e-4orce application, the front axle is equipped with a 150kW and 330Nm electric motor, and the rear axle a version with 100kW and 195Nm, both being motivated by a 2.1kWh battery. Combined, the system generates 157kW and pushes the SUV from 0-100km/h in 7 seconds.

Fuel consumption for the seven-seater is measured at 6.3-6.5l/100km, rather low for a vehicle of this size and with these levels of performance.

Nevertheless, a 2.1kWh power source is not enough to achieve any significant driving distance, and that’s why Nissan’s e-badged powertrains also incorporate a 1.5-litre petrol engine.

This unit is hooked up to a generator and turns on to charge the battery as soon as it starts going flat, or to provide a consistent stream of energy in the case of more demanding driving conditions.

As such, the X-Trail keeps going until the petrol tank runs dry, providing it a total range in excess of 600km.

The benefits of Nissan’s electrified all-wheel-drive system, according to the manufacturer, include:

• Near perfect weight balance
• Reduced pitch under braking
• Brake torque vectoring for additional cornering stability
• Responds 10,000 times faster than conventional 4WD
• Constant torque redistribution to the wheels demanding the most power

Apart from the e-4orce model, the X-Trail is offered with three other foundations in international markets.

These specifications are detailed below:

South Africans are getting the 2.5-litre driveline in a choice of either two-wheel or four-wheel drive.

Interior atmosphere

Nissan has stepped up its interior game significantly for this new generation of products, and the X-Trail is no different.

It’s much more minimalist and angular than before, even the steering wheel spokes being distinct rectangles instead of shapely curves, and the infotainment screen now protrudes from the top of the dash instead of fitting flush. This combination lends the cabin both a modern and old-school look.

As with most SUVs that have more than the conventional five seats, the X-Trail is generously spaced and leg room for the second and third rows can easily be adjusted thanks to a slidable middle bench with reclining backrests. Another practical feature is rear doors that open to a near 90-degree angle for easier entry and exit.

To remain competitive in the current climate, the Nissan is also packed with premium materials and tech, bringing everything from leather upholstery and wood-feel panels, to a 12.3-inch digital cluster, a 12.3-inch media centre with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Matrix LED headlights, three-zone climate control, first and second-row seat heating, 360-degree cameras, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with Stop and Go.

Driving the X-Trail e-4orce

The e-4orce foundation has the new X-Trail boasting a driving experience that is wholly unique in its segment.

It doesn’t stand out for being particularly powerful or efficient, but what it does have is responsiveness unrivaled by equivalent turbocharged or mild-hybrid setups.

Moreover, the pullaway and pickup of pace are smoother than an ICE as there are no gears to be accounted for, and it offers one-pedal driving by means of adjustable brake energy recuperation.

In the spirit of transparency, we must say we have never driven a current-generation X-Trail so we don’t know if the new one is better (or worse) – but benchmarked against other mid-range to premium SUVs we’ve handled before, it’s near the front of the pack.

The ride is sturdy and comfortable and the shell doesn’t lean much if you must take a corner at more than a leisurely pace, helped by front seats that are supportive around the sides.

A distinct benefit of this type of hybrid is also the lack of consistent engine noise, and when it does kick in it’s audible, but not close to overbearing.

It could be a missed opportunity if Nissan decides to skip South Africa during the rollout of the X-Trail e-4orce as it has the potential to disrupt a segment that is steadily becoming highly homogenous.

Next-gen Nissan X-Trail e-4orce