Nissan X-Trail Hybrid review, test drive

The new X-Trail Hybrid gets a petrol-electric powertrain and an all-new look. But does it really impress on the road?

Published on Feb 17, 2016 12:00:00 PM

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Nissan X-Trail Hybrid review, test drive

What's it like to drive?

The hybrid petrol-electric powertrain under the hood of the X-Trail delivers 144.9bhp from the combustion engine and 40.3bhp from the electric motor. The car uses Nissan's smart one-motor two-clutch parallel hybrid system as well as regenerative braking. A CVT automatic is used to bring the performance of the petrol and electric systems together.

On our short spin, we found the X-Trail drives quite well if driven in a relaxed manner. Initially you take off in electric mode, and this feels good, but the car responds even better once the combustion engine fires up. This happens at around 30kph or when you use plenty of throttle. The bottom end of the engine is pretty responsive and the electric torque fill makes it nice to drive, by giving it some extra kick. And as long as you are easy on the throttle and smooth, you really get access to some effortless performance. Drive it harder and the CVT whine and the ugly rubber band effect begin to raise their heads. This can be quite frustrating because you have to really wait for the performance; also the CVT gearbox and engine aren't the most refined either. The worst bit is that it doesn't feel anything like the combined 180bhp or so promised.

The suspension, however, is quite comfortable. It does feel soft and compliant at town speeds and absorbs more than a few rough sections nicely. Still, it isn't perfect when you go faster and this is because it feels a touch too soft. The brakes, with their regenerative system, are pretty spongy too. All that aside, the steering is pretty nice and though it does roll, the car tracks quite accurately.

What's nice about this Hybrid is the fact that there aren't half a dozen or so drive modes. You get in, start up, select D and just drive. The car also delivers upto 20 or 30 percent more fuel economy.