New Nissan X-Trail (2022): how it goes, how much it costs, how much it consumes

Nissan X-Trail 2022 is the new weapon that completes Nissan’s relaunch strategy that continues, after revolutionizing the sector with the Qashqai and Juke crossovers several years ago, in the electrification of the range. By 2030 each model will be electrified, diesel no longer exists and the strategy is to sell electric cars, thanks to the new models that will arrive, or highly electrified gasoline with the hybrid system that the Japanese call e-POWER.

The new X-Trail changes a lot compared to the past: it is always an SUV for the family and allows you to choose the third row of seats to reach the 7 placeseven if behind it is more than a folding seat for adults (short journeys) or comfortable seats for children and people up to a maximum of 1.60 meters.

Referring to the in-depth information linked above for further details, before going to the point of the road test, let’s recap what the e-Power system consists of.

Some might consider the new X-Trail 2022 an electric SUVbecause the traction is actually only provided by the electric motors and the gasoline never goes to connect via the driveline to the wheels. Others, rightly, might point out that it is a hybridin particular a hybrid-series typology precisely because gasoline is not concerned with transmitting movement to the axles but to act as a pure generator for the electric motor, diverting the surplus to the small storage battery.

The off-road capability remains, even on a modern and refined model: trying it on an off-road route, made for motocross bikes and certainly not for cars, I appreciate not only the good angles of attack and exit, which they allow you to tackle the exit from important slopes without problems, but also the four-wheel drive given by the two electric motors.

With its instant torque and digital control (no more mechanical parts and lag) it is possible to manage traction with greater precision compared to a classic petrol or diesel: the electric motor is actually the best weapon for off-roading in terms of traction and I notice it by stopping uphill on an important slope with the left wheels on a low-grip surface and those on the right on clay.

At the restart, in fact, the electronics work miracles: if in the past, in the same situation, there would have been a longer response time than the mechanics (1 second against 1 / 10,000 of a second of the electric) and a much more conspicuous slip of the wheels , with relative small but perceptible movements of the car body, today the electric motors immediately unload their torque with painstaking precision and the car goes up with a little “gas” without getting upset. Of course, very few will come close to asking you how much I asked you in the off-road test course, but today offroad mostly means oversizing an SUV that still doesn’t want to be a crawling specialist, in order to easily deal with unexpected situations from “once upon a time. in life”. All without having to be an expert in reduced, differential locks and twists.

We have already talked about e-POWER: the technology is the same seen on the Nissan Qashqai e-POWER if we look at the front-wheel drive version: an electric motor (here with 150 kW / 204 hp and 330 Nm of torque) takes care of moving the car and the three-cylinder petrol produces energy as a generator sending it to the motor, battery or both at the same time. Fort of variable compression ratio, the thermal can change the compression as needed:

• do you need performance? it is set with a low compression ratio
• do we need to focus on efficiency? increases the compression ratio.

On the e4ORCE there are two electric motors and the one at the rear of the axle is no coincidence because the CMF-C platform was originally designed to be electrified and not to steal space in the passenger compartment and trunk. The two units work synergistically to ensure safety and traction. When cornering, the car independently handles the wheels through torque vectoring, so as to allow even the less experienced to better deal with the fast or slippery mix because it keeps us in the trajectory and makes us go out with greater precision (and thrust, the torque is electric). Wrong entry trajectory or accelerate before the ideal chord point? The car understands what you wanted to do, based on the steering and pedal inputs, independently brakes the wheels, brings you back to the ideal track and / or dampens skidding (also limiting lift) at the exit.

It is clear that we must stay within the limits of physics: electronics can help, but up to a certain point …

Roll in the average, it is still an SUV of important dimensions. Where X-Trail stands out, however, is in the almost absent yaw, daughter of the braking management that is aided by the technology of the two electric motors, able to contribute to the regeneration of energy and to the maintenance of a stable attitude that does not throw things. and people towards the front, for the benefit of comfort. It really works: it does not work miracles, but it is clearly perceived.

While using two engines, however, e4ORCE is not a dragster. Nissan has increased the power available for this 4×4 version compared to the 2WD, but does not use it all. The result is a brighter and smoother ride, with a perceptible push from the rear wheels, but always holding like primary attention is paid to reducing consumption to get as close as possible to the experience of old diesels.

X-Trail it drives better than an average dieselthe torque is great, and the pleasantness of the response to the pedal is there, just try an uphill overtaking to realize how easy it is and how much the perception of safety increases compared to the Toyota hybrid.

First because the sound of the thermal yes enters the passenger compartmentbut being a variable compression engine that acts only as a generator it does so with less intrusiveness and the feeling of desynchronization between petrol noise and speed is much lower. Second, because the electric motor (s) are more powerful than the Corolla Cross hybrid for example.

Consumption gains compared to pure gasoline, but Toyota here scores an extra point in urban / extra-urban. However, X-Trail e-POWER manages to obtain an average of 7 / 7.5 liters per 100 kilometers in a more challenging route than that of the Corolla Cross test, with more demanding climbs and a motorway at higher limits than the Spanish scenario it had engaged in. the opponent. Since this is a first test, however, we will see in the review how much these numbers can be confirmed.

Big steps forward in the cabin: compared to Qashqai we have abetter passive soundproofingin addition to the confirmation of the system active noise cancellation. The appearance is that of a comfortable living room with many compartments and solutions taken from the minivan world (in the pockets there are two bottles of water for example, the central console is a connecting tunnel between front and rear and so on). Nothing surprising, nothing particularly innovative, but the application of what is appreciated when traveling with the whole family: space for everything, the rear bench seat slides 220 mm, the sun shades are integrated and so on.

There is no shortage of space and practicality (those who sit in the back have independent air conditioning vents and controls), but technology also grows: customizable digital instrumentation, HUD and great finally fluid infotainment and with attractive graphics.

It has it all: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Alexa (the latter must grow in functions, we hope it does it through OTA updates) and wireless charging for the smartphone.

TECHNIQUE

• MOTOR: synchronous electric with permanent magnets
• GENERATOR: three-cylinder Euro 6d, 1.5 liters, 158 HP, 250 Nm
• POWER: total 157 kW / 213 hp (150 kW front, 100 kW rear)
• TORQUE: 330 Nm front motor, 195 Nm rear motor
• TRACTION: all-electric (4WD)
• SUSPENSIONS: independent front, Multilink rear
• BRAKES: 4 ventilated discs, ABS with EBD and brake assist
• REFILL: NO

DIMENSIONS

• LENGTH: 4,680 mm
• WIDTH: 2,065 mm
• HEIGHT: 1,725 ​​mm
• PITCH: 2.705 mm
• LUGGAGE: 585 liters (120 liters with seven seats, more than 1,000 liters by breaking down everything)
• RIMS: 18 “-20”
• TIRES: 235/60 R18, 235/55 R19, 235/45 R20
• WEIGHT: 1.851-2.024 kg in running order (respectively ePower – e4ORCE)
• BATTERY: 1.8 kWh
• FUEL TANK: 55 liters

PERFORMANCE

• MAXIMUM SPEED: 180 km / h
• ACCELERATION 0-100 Km / h: 7.0 s
• CONSUMPTION: 6.4-6.6 l / 100 km (combined WLTP)
• CO2 EMISSIONS: 144/150 grams per km (combined WLTP)
• STEERING DIAMETER: 11.1 meters

PRICE: from 38.080 euros (4WD from 42.600 €)

The strategy for the price list is simple: few set-ups, fairly complete standard equipment and philosophy with a few options collected in packages. On Acenta the extra accessories are the Pro PILOT Assistant (the semi-autonomous driving suite) for € 740 and the € 990 Business package. N-CONNECTA offers the Pro PILOT in the package with HUD (€ 1,190) and with an additional € 960 you buy automatic parking, while the Business package is standard. Optional also panoramic glass roof (900 €) and 19 “wheels (500 €)

Visiathe entry version only for the 2WD e-POWER, comes standard with 18 “alloy wheels, adjustable and heated (but foldable manually) exterior mirrors, Full LED lights, light sensor, driving mode, electronic brake, hill start assist, fabric seats, driver’s seat adjustable in height, rear seats 60/40, central armrest with butterfly opening, rain sensor, rear central armrest, fully adjustable steering wheel, 7 “instrument display, USB, Bluetooth, automatic climate control, cruise control, automatic emergency braking with assistance at intersections, anti-collision, lane monitoring with active steering (does not center the car, however, for that you need Pro PILOT), blind spots and driver attention monitoring, reverse traffic monitoring and automatic rear braking.

Acenta adds rear view camera, front parking sensors, two-zone climate, lumbar support, folding mirrors, keyless, 2 additional USB-C ports to USB-A, auto dimming interior rear view mirror and DAB radio with 8 “infotainment screen.

Tekna includes 19 “alloy wheels, gesture opening trunk, adaptive LEDs, 10.8” HUD, wireless charger, three-zone climate, electrically adjustable front seats, heated steering wheel and seats (front and rear), ProPILOT with Navi-Link and automatic parking, rear sun blinds and chrome trims for doors and bumpers.