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New Nissan X-Trail hybrid SUV to be unveiled on 6 September

Nissan’s answer to the Kia Sorento goes hybrid-only for the fourth generation and will be available with four-wheel drive and seven seats

Nissan X-Trail

The UK market version of the new Nissan X-Trail will be revealed on 6 September, following the launch of the fourth-generation hybrid SUV last month in Japan. The forthcoming Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota Highlander rival will be available exclusively with hybrid power, featuring the same e-POWER technology as the latest Qashqai.

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Nissan’s e-POWER setup is different from a normal hybrid, because the electric motor is the only thing that drives the wheels – the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine under the bonnet simply charges the 2.1kWh battery. The aim of this powertrain is to provide as close to an electric-car driving experience as possible, including quiet and smooth acceleration, and even one-pedal driving thanks to regenerative braking.

Plus, since the engine is always running at optimum revs, Nissan claims it’s more efficient in terms of CO2 and fuel economy than a traditional hybrid car. However, efficiency figures for the X-Trail e-POWER have yet to be revealed. Power output for the front-wheel-drive version is likely to match the hybrid Qashqai's 188bhp and 330Nm of torque.

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The 2022 Nissan X-Trail will also be offered with four-wheel drive. This model features an additional 134bhp electric motor on the rear axle and Nissan’s ‘e-4ORCE’ system, which debuted on the Ariya electric SUV. The setup boosts performance and can vary the amount of torque between the front and rear axles to improve stability and handling.

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The torque from the dual-motor setup should also help if you take the X-Trail off-road, as will the individual driving modes for dealing with snowy, gravelly or muddy conditions. Power, fuel economy and emissions figures have yet to be released, though.

The new X-Trail’s styling can easily be described as a chunkier version of the latest Qashqai, as both sport the ‘V-Motion’ grille design paired with sharp headlights, but the X-Trail has a more square-jawed look to it. Inside, there’s a pair of 12.3-inch screens – one central touchscreen, plus a digital driver’s display – with a 10.8-inch head-up display available on top of those.

There’s also the option of a seven-seater layout, while safety technology on offer includes Nissan’s ProPilot driver assistance system, which combines adaptive cruise control, stop-and-go functionality and lane-keeping assist. 

Exact UK pricing and specifications will be revealed closer to the car's 2022 on-sale date, but we'd expect a slight increase on the previous model's starting price of just over £27,000, likely breaking the £30,000 barrier.

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Welcome one and all, I’m Ellis the news reporter on Auto Express, the brand’s former online reviews editor and contributor to DrivingElectric. I’m proud to say I cut my teeth reporting and reviewing all things EV as the content editor on DrivingElectric. I joined the team while completing my master’s degree in automotive journalism at Coventry University and since then I’ve driven just about every electric car and hybrid I could get my hands on.

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