When a carmaker launches a new model, the marketing department goes into overdrive, trying to make their shiny new thing stand out in the crowd. Nissan is touting their driveline and equipment levels as the best and brightest, but is it?

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ABOVE: 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti-L

1: driveline

The fancy new electrified X-Trail is the shiz. E-Power and e-force come in the 5-seat version of the top grades, Ti and Ti-L. we only get the AWD versions here, with 150kw front and 100kw rear with a total of 195Nm of torque. All other models get the 2.5L petrol, whereas the electrified versions have a 3-cyl 1.5L with a total system output of 100kw/250Nm.

The engine charges the small battery with a pure EV range of little more than 3km. Nissan says this series hybrid is a unique take on hybrid drives with the ICE never actually powering the wheels. All power comes from the electric motors, giving the plucky little SUV a 0-100 of around 7 seconds

2: a Proper SUV

X-Trail has extra ground clearance, and the rear space isn’t truncated by a deeply sloping roof. There are drive modes for light off-roading, and should you fancy a naughty weekend on the snow, there is a mode for that too.

3: Pro Pilot

This is part of the suite of driver and safety aids. Nissan makes this sound somewhat unique, giving it the lofty name of Pro Pilot, but it is a group name for smart cruise control, lane centering and so on.

4: Safety

Apart from 8 airbags including a centre front airbag, there are security systems, rear cross traffic alert, as well as blind spot monitor and all the other features needed for a 5 star ANCAP rating on 2022 criteria terms.

5: 5 Star ANCAP

This rating is based on the Qashqai (the partner model)

6: Infotainment and equipment

A 10.8” HUD, 12.3” driver display, and 12.3” centre screen is aided by wireless CarPlay/Android Auto. You also get fast wireless charging, DAB+ and a fabulous 10-speaker Bose audio system

7:  Physical spare tyre

There is nothing worse than being stuck on the side of the road with a repair kit and no tyre. Nuff said.

8: no need to charge the electrified versions

This will be the biggest thing punters will love. EVs are tied to an inadequate charging infrastructure. Don’t get me wrong. I’m 100% a convert, if you’ll pardon the pun. As oil companies gouge users in the dying days of dinosaur-burning, planet-killing fuels, X-Trail uses around 6.1L/100k. The advantage being no need to stop at charging stations for long periods of cloud staring while you top up.

9: comfort

The tri-zone climate and comfortable seats, but most of all, space.

10: the icing on the cake are the adaptive LED headlights, and rear-view mirror connected to a high-set camera at the back of the car.

Our full review will follow where we’ll go through the driving feel.

ST 2WD                           $36,750

ST 4WD 7-seat               $39,790

ST-L 2WD                        $43,190

ST-L 4WD 7-seat            $46,290

Ti 4WD                            $49,990

Ti-L 4WD                         $52,990

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