Nissan’s biggest SUV overhauled as firm revamps line-up with focus on key global markets
Nissan has revealed the new X-Trail SUV as part of a wide-reaching overview of the company’s future strategy, design language and model line-up.
Revealed alongside the new electric Nissan Juke in an event at the company’s Yokohama HQ in Japan, the new X-Trail E-Power is due next year as a rival to the Skoda Kodiaq, Kia Sorento and Peugeot 5008.
Nissan has only shown the exterior of the car so far, and offered no technical details, but the E-Power badging confirms it will feature a version of the company’s full-hybrid powertrain.
This system differs from conventional parallel hybrid technology in that the petrol engine is used purely as a generator to charge a small battery, which then powers the electric motor driving the wheels.
The current-generation X-Trail is already offered with E-Power but is expected to receive the significantly upgraded system that recently made its debut in the smaller Qashqai, for increased power, refinement and efficiency.
The new model is expected to be closely related under the skin to the current X-Trail, which itself has recently been restyled and tweaked as part of a mid-life facelift.
With a targeted launch date of 2027 for the new-generation X-Trail, and the current model having only launched in the UK in 2022, it is unclear when the new generation will come here. It is possible that the new model could go on sale in the US as the Rogue first, before coming to Europe later – as was the case previously.
While the new car is expected to be closely related underneath, retaining the modular CMF-CD platform used by the current car, it has been extensively redesigned in line with Nissan’s new design hallmarks.
It has a bold new front end, dominated by a distinctive trapezoid-shaped grille and angular LED lighting signatures, while the sides are more heavily creased, and the back end has been made more angular and chunky, too.
It was revealed as Nissan outlined details of the final year of its ‘Re:Nissan’ recovery plan, designed to take the firm back to growth following a turbulent few years of falling sales and financial woes.
Central to the strategy is a ‘streamlined’ global product portfolio of 45 models, down from 56 today, with a greater focus on the “clarity of role” for each product.
That means Nissan will axe low-performing models and channel investment into its most successful lines, as part of a push to deliver “a competitive cost base, improved capacity utilisation, and strong new‑product momentum that lays the groundwork for future growth”.
The new line-up will be split into four categories: ‘Heartbeat’ models which “embody Nissan’s identity, emotional value, and innovation; ‘Core’ models that consistently sell in large numbers globally; ‘Growth’ models for emerging segments and markets; and ‘Partner’ models developed in collaboration with other companies to boost market coverage.
The company says the new X-Trail is a ‘global core’ model, while the freshly revealed Juke EV is a ‘Europe core’ model – reflecting their respective market remits.
Meanwhile, Nissan previewed plans for a pair of new ‘Heartbeat’ models: the new body-on-frame Xterra 4×4 for the US market, and a new Skyline performance coupé for Japan, which will be the 14th instalment in a lineage that stretches back to 1957.
Nissan said that while it will trim the number of overall models available, it will offer a greater mix of powertrains to “enhance customer choice”, including electric and E-Power series hybrid powertrains, as well as a new hybrid set-up specifically for frame-based vehicles like the US-market Xterra.
The company also said it will offer plug-in hybrid and range-extender (REx) powertrains, sourced from partner companies – though it hasn’t said which yet. The company’s Alliance partner Renault recently said it planned to launch REx technology on its new-generation EVs from around 2028.
Nissan will also switch from developing each model individually to a new ‘architecture-led’ development strategy with a focus on the platforms, powertrains and software platforms that will underpin entire model families.
“Nissan will concentrate development around three product families that will account for more than 80 percent of global volume, increase volume per model by more than 30 percent while accelerating development speed and technology rollout,” it said.
Japan, the US and China will be Nissan’s focus markets moving forward, but it says Europe, India and Africa will continue to “play a role in expanding Nissan’s reach and supporting overall growth”.
