2023 Nissan X-Trail e-Power 500km touring test

First introduced in early 2023, the e-Power variant of Nissan's perennially popular X-Trail is in essence a hybrid that behaves like an electric vehicle (EV). Electric motors drive the wheels but a small three-cylinder petrol engine keeps the battery charged, mitigating range anxiety and the potential hassle of waiting for a public charger.

Nissan’s ‘e-Pedal’ energy recuperation system is also available for those who like one-pedal driving. Because the e-Power has such a unique powertrain, it was crying out for a real-world test and the introduction of a cheaper ST-L model to the line up provides the perfect opportunity.

2023 Nissan X-Trail ST-L e-Power price, tech and styling

Coming in just under $50k before on-road costs, the ST-L e-Power is about $5000 and $7000 cheaper than the Ti and Ti-L e-Power models respectively.

While it certainly isn’t overburdened with gadgets and niceties and some of the dials and switchgear are carried over from the previous-model X-Trail, it doesn’t feel under-equipped or spartan.

Artificial leather seats and steering wheel, a central infotainment screen and driver info screen, dual-zone climate control, USB-A and USB-C charging points front and rear and Apple CarPlay keep everything comfortable for a long drive.

There’s nothing weird about the e-Power – in most respects it’s no different to its petrol cousins. It has a similar gear selector (an extra storage space below the centre console is the only hint it doesn’t use a traditional drivetrain) and the cargo space has identical dimensions. Most importantly, it retains all the features that make the X-Trail and its twin-beneath-the-skin, the Mitsubishi Outlander, such great all-rounders – comfortable seats, excellent ergonomics (especially the position of the power button and parking brake switch) and a simple and intuitive infotainment system.

2023 Nissan X-Trail ST-L e-Power performance and handling

An underfloor battery pack lowers the centre of gravity which, together with an ability to shift torque between the wheels, makes the e-Power steady on its pins while cornering, although the extra weight is noticeable in a sudden stop. Even with four passengers and a boot load of suitcases the e-Power is sharp off the mark and has plenty in reserve when climbing a tall hill on the motorway. It runs silently nearly all the time – in fact we only noticed the petrol engine kicking in after initial starting and while idling with the air conditioning on.

But while its EV characteristics make the e-Power pleasing to drive, that’s only half the equation. Following our touring test from Sydney to Forster with about 50km of incidental suburban driving in between (736km in total), it returned 7.4L/100km – substantially above Nissan’s quoted highway figure of 5.8L/100km and only fraction better than we achieved in the old 2.5-litre petrol X-Trail over a similar route. Thanks to a 200kg weight gain over the regular X-Trail, what the e-Power saves around town it gives up during highway motoring (especially with a full complement of passengers and luggage). Add in an inflator kit instead of a spare wheel to make room for the electrics and its suitability as a touring vehicle starts to wane.

Final verdict?

The e-Power hasn’t exactly taken the SUV market by storm and that’s perhaps in part because it’s hard to explain what it offers in ten words or less. If you like an EV’s driving characteristics, the e-Power delivers that while also cutting urban fuel consumption and negating range anxiety. But if you’re looking for a comfortable SUV in which to do frequent road trips and don’t care about EV smoothness, you might as well save $3000 upfront and buy the regular petrol ST-L instead.

Pros: Quiet performance; frugal in the city

Cons: No spare wheel; highway economy