Nissan X-Trail Ti-L e-Power review: How does the hybrid medium SUV measure up to the likes of the RAV4?

Recently, we saw a glimpse into Nissan’s future. The embattled manufacturer showed off a significant portion of its future, from the new Juke small SUV to teasing a new generation of Skyline. Everything looked fresh, modern and ready to help the company’s current life-or-death struggle. But the most important reveal of the event, from the sales perspective, was the next generation of X-Trail medium SUV, a model that has sold over eight million units since its initial release in 2001.

And let us be clear: The current Nissan X-Trail is a great medium SUV, and the best Nissan on the market. Let’s explore it more in top-spec hybrid Ti-L e-Power form.

How much does the X-Trail Ti-L e-Power cost to buy?

The entry-level X-Trail ST variant kicks off the range priced from $38,140 plus on-road costs, with ST-L, Ti and Ti-L models sitting above it. Depending on the model, petrol or hybrid, front- or all-wheel drive and even five- or seven-seat layouts are available, making the X-Trail one of the most versatile medium SUVs on the Australian market.

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2026 Nissan X-Trail pricing (excluding on-road costs):

At the time of writing, Nissan is offering the X-Trail Ti-L e-Power for $59,151 driveaway based on a Sydney postcode. Almost $60,000 is obviously not a small outlay, but for the level of equipment on offer we think that’s solid value for money. The new top-spec petrol Mazda CX-5 Akera, which won’t be offered with a hybrid drivetrain until 2027, is priced above $60,000 driveaway and the X-Trail is better equipped.

How fuel efficient is the X-Trail Ti-L e-Power?

The whole point of buying the hybrid version if given the choice is fuel efficiency, right? Well, the hybrid X-Trail e-Power is definitely more efficient than the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, but it’s also punchier and more refined as well. If you’re considering an X-Trail, we think that the e-Power is the drivetrain to have.

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Making 157kW of power, it’s not only 22kW more powerful than the petrol X-Trail, but its 6.1L/100km combined fuel consumption rating is 1.7L/100km better than the petrol Ti-L too. Its 139g/km of CO2 rating is also 44g/km less than the petrol model. Those familiar with medium SUVs will note that the new Toyota RAV4‘s 4.6L/100km rating is 1.5L/100km less than the X-Trail, though the X-Trail is 14kW more powerful. In the real world, we achieved 6.2L/100km in a mixed range of driving.

Is the X-Trail Ti-L e-Power nice to drive?

Starting with the e-Power system, the X-Trail is unique in its segment in that it employs a series-parallel hybrid system. Unlike a Toyota or Honda system where both the petrol engine and/or electric motor can directly power the wheels, the e-Power system employs the petrol engine as a generator and only the electric motors will send power to the wheels.

What that means for drivers is that there’s no noticeable step between electric and ICE power, instead, every part of the propulsion is smooth. Because the electric motors provide propulsion, the X-Trail e-Power is quick off the line thanks to its instant electric torque – the front motor makes a peak 330Nm and the rear 195Nm, so it feels quick. Nissan doesn’t claim an official 0-100km/h time, but a quick search on the internet results in times of around the 7.0-second mark, which is quite respectable.

Apart from the drivetrain, the X-Trail is a generally comfortable and relaxing car to drive. Refinement is quite good, with little in the way of road noise except for when travelling at highway speeds on coarse chip roads, while the linear steering is well weighted and offers reasonable feel. Nissan seems to have massaged the Ti-L e-Power’s ride with the update because it’s noticeably more compliant than the pre-updated model we tested last year.

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There’s no doubt that sharper bumps can take the edge off the compliance a bit thanks to its huge 20-inch wheels, but it seems to be less fazed by constant smaller bumps like the pre-updated car was and the body control is tighter, too. Overall, we think it strikes a good balance between sportiness and comfort, and even though it’s not a sporty model, its handling is actually quite tidy and it grips well.

How practical is the X-Trail Ti-L e-Power?

The cabin of the current-generation X-Trail has been one of the best all-rounders in the mid-size SUV segment since its 2021 release, thanks to the high quality, impressive practicality and easy-to-use technology. The brand didn’t update much inside the X-Trail’s cabin with the mid-life update and we think that it’s still one of the best options for practicality in the segment. 

Material quality across the X-Trail range is impressive thanks to soft stitched leather-like trims around the cabin, textured wood-like centre console trim and tight switchgear. The Ti-L takes it a step further with its lovely quilted Nappa leather upholstery, which is available in either black or tan colouring. While the rest of the X-Trail range is impressively plush, the Ti-L actually feels luxurious inside, and its rich 10-speaker Bose sound system adds to the experience.

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The entire X-Trail range uses a new 12.3-inch touchscreen that’s spreading its way across the Nissan range, which is easy to use and sharp to look at. It could be a bit faster and oddly doesn’t feature inbuilt sat-nav in Australia – in some markets, its features Google integration but not here just yet – but the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring is easy to connect. It still features shortcuts on the driver’s side with smartphone mirroring on the screen for added user-friendliness, as well as the row of buttons below the screen and a proper volume knob.

The 12.3-inch digital driver’s display is really easy to use and full of information, though we’d like it to feature a map and some sort of customisation as it really just looks like a digital version of lesser models’ analogue dials. Storage is covered by large door bins, a big central box underneath the centre armrest, a large tray underneath the centre console and an open tray with the wireless smartphone charger. 

The rear seat of the X-Trail is quite comfortable as it’s one of the most spacious in the mid-size SUV segment and the seats themselves are inviting as well. The rear doors open to 90 degrees, which is great for getting child seats in and out, and the rear seats slide and recline for more space. Both legroom and headroom is impressive for taller adults. Rear seat passengers will be impressed with the amenities on offer, which include a separate climate zone, air vents, USB charging ports, inbuilt sunshades in the doors, heated outboard seats, map pockets, door pockets and a central armrest. 

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Behind the rear seats lies a large 575 litres of space and Nissan’s handy ‘Divide-N-Hide’ cargo management system allows for – as the name suggests – both dividing and hiding of items in the boot. Fold the rear seats and space isn’t quite as impressive at 1386 litres, but it’s still a large area and the 40:20:40-split rear seats fold flat. Disappointingly however, there’s no spare wheel on the e-Power variants of the X-Trail, which takes a bit of shine off an otherwise very practical offering.

What warranty covers the X-Trail Ti-L e-Power?

The entire Nissan range is covered by a five-year/unlimited km warranty that can be extended up to 10 years/300,000km with annual servicing at a Nissan dealership. If owners adhere to that condition, Nissan’s warranty is one of the longest on the new car market. Plus, there’s also an eight-year/160,000km warranty for the hybrid battery.

Five years/75,000km of servicing costs $1995 or $399 per service, and with its recent imd-life update, Nissan extended annual service intervals from short 10,000km intervals to the industry average of 15,000km to better match rivals.

Should I buy a Nissan X-Trail Ti-L e-Power?

There’s no doubt that there are more fuel efficient, sportier, roomier and better value medium SUV options available. But we think the X-Trail Ti-L e-Power strikes a great balance between all of them and it’s easy to recommend. Sure, it’s not as fuel efficient as a RAV4 but its interesting e-Power hybrid system is smoother and quicker. It’s not as sporty as a CX-5, but how many medium SUV buyers want sportiness? It still rides well, and it’s a tidy handler too.

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The X-Trail’s cabin is still one of the plushest and most attractive in the segment, it’s quite practical with storage and rear seat space, and the Nappa leather in the Ti-L is great to touch. Sure, $60,000 is a stretch, but this X-Trail justifies it with a very long standard equipment list and a high level of overall ability. Scratch more exciting products like the Z coupe, the X-Trail e-Power is the best product Nissan currently sells locally.

X-Trail Ti-L e-Power specifications:

X-Trail Ti-L e-Power standard features:

• 20-inch alloy wheels (with a tyre repair kit)
• Dusk- and rain-activated LED exterior lighting
• Rain-sensing automatic wipers
• Keyless entry with push button start and remote start
• Heated and auto-folding mirrors with tilting in reverse gear
• Rear privacy glass
• Roof rails
• Electric tailgate with kick-to-open functionality
• Panoramic sunroof
• Quilted Nappa leather seat upholstery
• 10-way electric front seat adjustment with memory functionality and heating
• Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Heated outboard rear seats
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Nissan Connect connected car services
• 12.3-inch digital driver’s display
• 12.3-inch touchscreen
• 10.8-inch head-up display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Bluetooth calling and audio streaming
• 4x USB-C charging ports
• Wireless phone charger
• 10-speaker Bose sound system
• Cabin ambient lighting
• Rear door sunshades
• Auto, eco, sport, snow and off-road driving modes
• Hill descent control
• Auto-dimming rear mirror
• 7x airbags
• Autonomous emergency braking with junction assist and pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Rear automatic braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Adaptive lane guidance
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane keeping assistance
• Traffic sign recognition
• Driver attention monitoring
• Adaptive high beam
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 360-degree camera with 3D view
• Tyre pressure monitoring