What's this new car about then?
The Nissan X-Trail has been a staple of the mid-size SUV segment in New Zealand for the last 25 years, ever since the brilliantly boxy first-gen car launched here in November 2001, and since then Nissan New Zealand has sold more than 27,000 examples across four different generations.
The latest generation launched in 2023 and, for the first time, brought with it Nissan’s innovative e-Power hybrid powertrain. Similar to the current breed of Chinese “Super Hybrids”, Nissan’s e-Power system uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine purely as a generator to charge a battery that powers the electric motors that drive the wheels.
However, unlike the range-extender Super Hybrids, the e-Power system doesn’t feature either a massive battery or a plug. Instead a smaller battery is constantly charged only by the engine, with no capacity for home or DC fast charging. Sitting somewhere in the grey area between a traditional hybrid and a PHEV, the ePower system delivers an EV-like driving experience, but with a bit more ICE assistance than you get from a PHEV.
The X-Trail ePower has previously only been available in AWD guise, meaning it hung around at the top of the mid-size SUV price segment, but now Nissan is giving the X-Trail a 25th birthday present in the form of a pair of 2WD ePower variants that chime in $3000 cheaper than their AWD siblings, as well as adding a new member to the family in the form of the Rock Creek, a rugged ‘lifestyle’ variant that brings tougher looks.
Similar to competitors like the RAV4 Adventure or the Subaru Outback Wilderness, the Rock Creek is based on the mid-spec X-Trail ST-L, but enhances the standard package with a more rugged, off-roader aesthetic with matte black wheel arches, black door handles, and a distinctive Navara-style bonnet grille with three cosmetic slots.
Visual enhancements also include special wheels with orange highlights, orange stitching on the interior, and unique Rock Creek embroidery on the seats, complemented by exterior badging.
How much is it?
As mentioned earlier, Nissan NZ has dropped the 2WD e-Power models into the range at $3000 less than their AWD variants, meaning that the ST-L lands at $49,990 and the Ti-L lands at $55,990, with both featuring the same levels of standard equipment as the AWD variants.
The Rock Creek meanwhile is available just in AWD form, but with a choice of e-Power or ICE powertrains, with the latter packing Nissan’s venerable 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine hooked up to a continuously variable transmission.
The Rock Creek is based on ST-L specification, so largely mirrors that model in terms of standard equipment, but gains the unique exterior treatment that consists of the black trim, a unique front lower bumper and exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels, and the distinctive ‘three-slot’ Navara-inspired horizontal grille treatment, as well as a new ‘Baja Storm’ exterior paint paired with a black roof.
On the inside, the Rock Creek models get durable “ballistic nylon-trimmed” seats with embroidered Rock Creek badging, while orange contrast stitching across the seats and dashboard trim, and an orange Nissan badge on the steering wheel make up the remainder of the cosmetic differences in the cabin.
The Rock Creek models also get a technology upgrade over their ST-L donor in the form of a 10.8-inch head-up display and a 12.3-inch full TFT instrument cluster.
The Rock Creek model line starts with the seven-seater 2.5-litre ICE AWD at $50,590, while the five-seater AWD ePower variant lands at $55,590, representing a $2600 step up on the ST-L.
What’s it like to drive?
In essence, both drive like a good X-Trail - which is to say composed, comfortable, and tidy in their handling.
Ride quality in both is well sorted and everyday refinement is solid, while the FWD e-Power models feel nicely flexible right across the rev range.
While there is a small degree of torque steer thanks to pumping 150kW and 330Nm through the front wheels alone, it is well controlled and largely unintrusive during normal daily driving. Like the AWD models, the 2WD e-Power delivers its power in an EV-like smooth stream of constant thrust, with only a distant hum of rising revs from the three-pot engine as demand from the battery increases.
While the AWD e-Power models get an additional 100kW/195Nm electric motor on the rear axle, in real world commuting this won't be missed by most people, as performance is broadly similar. Nissan says the 2WD will hit 100km/h in around 7.5 to 8 seconds, while the AWD does it in 7 seconds.
We only got to drive the ICE AWD Rock Creek variant, which is powered by Nissan's 135kW/244Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine hooked up to a continuously variable transmission. It’s a drivetrain that is best described as "adequate" and can feel a touch underpowered under load, and the CVT will groan when pushed; it simulates “fake” step shifts when you’re really thrashing it, which does help the feel a little.
What's the pick of the range?
The 2WD e-Power offers a compellingly-priced option to Nissan's hybrid line up, with performance and refinement that is pretty much in line with more expensive AWD versions with even more frugal fuel consumption - a claimed 5.3l/100km compared to the 6.1 for AWD variants.
The sophistication, power, refinement and frugal nature of the e-Power drivetrain makes the 2.5-litre ICE/CVT in the Rock Creek seem rather underwhelming and out of date in comparison, so with that in mind, our choice for pick of the range would probably be a version that Nissan isn't actually offering; a 2WD e-Power Rock Creek.
However, because the Rock Creek is only available in AWD forms, then the e-Power AWD will likely be the clear pick of the new additions, although for anyone not bothered about the Rock Creek's stylistic additions and just wants a well-priced hybrid option, then either the ST-L or Ti-L 2WD e-Power are an excellent option.
What other cars should I consider?
There are, of course, no shortage of other hybrid/PHEV/electric medium SUVs around at the moment, with things like the Hyundai Tucson ($47,990 to $72,990), Mitsubishi Outlander ($43,990 to $85,590) and Honda CR-V ($44,990 to $75,000) covering vast price ranges and offering a choice of ICE and hybrid options is FWD and AWD.
But the most obvious competitor in the segment is the Toyota RAV4, which the X-Trail now largely mirrors in terms of offering FWD hybrids and kitted-up "rugged lifestyle" versions. The 2WD e-Power models line up nicely with the FWD RAV4 hybrid range ($50,990 to $54,990), while the Rock Creek muscles up to the AWD RAV4 Adventure ($62,990) that is only available in hybrid form.
