• Mild and full hybrid engines
• No plug-in, electric or diesel
• Front or four-wheel drive

Petrol mild hybrid engine

All three engine options share the internal combustion bit. This is a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with a turbocharger that delivers 163hp in basic mild hybrid VC-Turbo guise and only drives the front wheels via a CVT automatic transmission.

Needless to say, although it’s powerful enough for a 1.5-litre car, the VC-Turbo has its work cut out pulling the X-Trail along with any sense of urgency. Yes, it’ll cruise nicely on the motorway, if you’re looking to drive on more challenging roads, or load it up with people and luggage, we reckon you’ll want to look at the E-Power version, detailed below.

Hybrid engines

The E-Power is a hybrid system that uses the engine as a generator to charge a small battery which in turn powers an electric motor that drives the front wheels. With 204hp and a 0-62mph time of 8.0 seconds, it’s a stronger option that also promises much improved economy and emissions.

There’s also the E-4orce, which is essentially the e-Power setup with an extra electric motor powering the rear wheels to make it four-wheel drive. Total power doesn’t go up massively, but the extra traction means all 213hp can be used to get the X-Trail from 0-62mph in as little as 7.0 seconds. There is a small efficiency penalty, but the E-4orce is still cleaner than the mild hybrid.

We won’t labour the point, but the old X-Trail found favour with many drivers for its excellent towing capacity, and although this one’s rated at 1,800kg (in E-4orce form), that’s 200kg shy of its predecessor. Also, with diesel no longer an option, fuel consumption will be a disappointment, despite its hybrid powertrain.

What’s it like to drive?

• Super smooth when running on electricity
• The E-4orce feels punchy
• Great at motorway speeds

If you’re going to need your X-Trail to work hard for its living, we reckon you might want to forego the VC-Turbo. Its mild hybrid performance isn’t exactly sparkling with a near 10.0 second 0-62mph time, and the gearbox is hesitant if you suddenly demand maximum acceleration.

We’d upgrade to a smoother and swifter E-Power model which does a pretty good impression of an electric car driven gently, with interruption-free acceleration and variable regenerative braking to help slow the car while charging up its little 2.1kWh battery.

It’ll run for short distances on electricity alone if the battery has enough charge, but the engine frequently fires up to provide more power unless you’re driving down the side of a mountain. It’s a quiet unit, albeit one that does send a few vibrations through the steering wheel, and it does occasionally rev away unpleasantly if you need to get up to motorway speeds in a hurry or climb a very steep hill.

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Single motor E-Power models are brisk enough for family duties while the twin motor E-4orce is deceptively quick. It never feels as strong as the 7.0 second 0-62mph time suggests in isolation, yet we found it makes easy work of overtakes and short sliproads. Like an electric car, it does run out of puff as speeds approach the legal limit, although sadly it’s not as responsive. Accelerate hard and the X-Trail waits a moment before picking up speed in earnest.

Despite large wheels on higher trim levels, the X-Trail’s ride is for the most part comfortable. While it does stumble over low-speed potholes and patchy road surfaces, it smooths out as speeds increase and is a good motorway cruiser. Opting for smaller wheels doesn’t improve comfort greatly, but you are less likely to curb them.

The X-Trail’s steering has good weight and precision, making it easy to place on the road. It’s fun to drive up to a point, but a brisker pace soon generates lots of body roll and the front tyres soon run out of grip. At least there’s plenty of traction at corner exit and it’s certainly stable, just not something you’ll have fun driving. 

Nissan X-Trail off-road

We’ve taken the X-Trail off-road in demanding conditions, and came away impressed by its ability when grip levels are low, or the terrain is rough. Even with a wheel or two dangling in mid-air, the traction control keeps you moving forwards and steep, dirt-covered slopes are no issue even with our two nearside tyres on a slippery log.

We’ve also sampled the X-Trail E-4orce on snow and ice where, with the appropriate tyres, it generates enough traction to cart you up steepish slopes by varying power front to rear and operating individual brakes.