Nissan X-Trail Hybrid revealed in Japan

The X-Trail Hybrid is almost identical to the regular, non-hybrid variants on the outside, with its ‘X-Trail Hybrid’ badges on the front doors and the tailgate the most obvious visual distinguishers.

Other unique exterior elements include low rolling-resistance tyres and smoother underfloor panels for improved aerodynamic performance.

The cabin also carries over from the non-hybrid variants, with the only addition being the hybrid system information panel in the centre of the instrument cluster.

The big changes are beneath the skin, where the Nissan X-Trail Hybrid teams a 108kW/207Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a 30kW/160Nm electric motor with a lithium-ion battery and a continuously variable transmission.

Nissan claims the X-Trail Hybrid achieves fuel consumption of 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres on the Japanese cycle (which always delivers lower figures than Australia’s official combined cycle) as well as a 75 per cent reduction of nitrogen oxide and non-methane hydrocarbons in exhaust emissions over 2005 standards.

The extra hybrid hardware eats into boot space, reducing the petrol-electric SUV’s cargo capacity from 550 litres to 400L.

The X-Trail Hybrid will be offered in both front- and all-wheel-drive layouts, will come standard with forward emergency braking, and will be available with a 360-degree camera system and semi-automatic reverse parking.

Speaking with CarAdvice today, Nissan Australia corporate communications general manager Peter Fadeyev said the local division would assess the X-Trail Hybrid for our market as it does with every new model, but said there were currently no plans to introduce it to Australian showrooms.