Admission price for innovative hybrid tech in Nissan’s new mid-size SUV to drop below $50K
Just two months after releasing its first X-TRAIL e-POWER variants, Nissan Australia is already expanding the availability of its innovative e-POWER hybrid technology across the new mid-size SUV range with the addition of the 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL ST-L e-POWER with e-4ORCE, meaning there is now an electrified version of every X-TRAIL grade besides the base ST.
Pricing for the more budget-friendly hybrid starts from $49,490 plus on-road costs and has predictably been achieved by the omission of certain features offered in the posher Ti and Ti-L grades, including a head-up display, digital instrument cluster, leather upholstery, glass sunroof, 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen and tri-zone climate control.
That’s not to say the new electrified mid-range model isn’t well-equipped – it still comes standard with 18-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, LED headlights, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, synthetic leather trim, heated front seats, 360-degree camera, an 8.0-inch infotainment system, DAB+ digital radio, six-speaker sound system and wired smartphone mirroring.
Headline safety gear meanwhile includes predictive forward collision warning, intelligent cruise control with traffic sign recognition, lane departure warning and prevention, rear cross traffic alert and rear auto emergency braking, tyre pressure monitoring, junction assist and driver attention alert.
No changes have been made to the dual-motor e-POWER drivetrain, which combines a pair of electric motors with a 2.1kWh battery and a variable compression ratio 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine acting as a generator for the battery pack.
The whole system outputs a class-competitive 157kW and offers all-wheel drive as standard, with the claimed fuel consumption pegged at 6.1L/100km on the combined cycle.
“Nissan’s e-POWER technology has been incredibly well received by our customers, and we’re excited to be able to offer this efficient, EV-like drive experience across even more of the X-TRAIL range,” Nissan Australia managing director Adam Paterson said.
“We’ve always said that e-POWER needs to be driven to be believed, and the introduction of the X-TRAIL ST-L e-POWER with e-4ORCE will give even more people the opportunity to do just that.”
The most affordable e-POWER product offered here to date will arrive Down Under in the second half of the year and simultaneously herald the arrival of the first all-paw ST-L five-seat version of the current generation, given all the other ST-Ls are either front-drive five-seaters or AWD seven-seaters.
How much does the 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER cost?
ST-L e-4ORCE – $49,490
Ti e-4ORCE – $54,190
Ti-L e-4ORCE – $57,190
* Prices exclude on-road costs
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Keyword: Cheaper Nissan X-TRAIL e-POWER variant announced