Nissan X-Trail Ti E-Power Long-Term: The Good And Bad after 5 Months Of Testing

After five months and around 10,000km of driving, Chasing Cars’ Production Specialist Tom Place says goodbye to the Nissan X-Trail Ti E-Power long termer.

Powered by Nissan’s novel E-Power petrol-electric hybrid system, the high-spec Ti grade is priced from $54,690, or around $59K driveaway. It competes with other hybrid offerings such as the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sorento and Honda CR-V in the mainstream midsize SUV segment.

So what are the X-Trail E-Power’s positives and negatives? And were there any big surprises along the Place family’s half-year custodianship?

Importantly, would we recommend you shortlist the Nissan option when shopping for petrol-electric family-hauling goodness? Keep watching to find out.

Time codes:
0:00 - Intro
0:24 - Ti E-Power
0:58 - Fuel economy
3:12 - X-Trail lineup
3:28 - Interior
4:50 - Row two
5:28 - Durability
8:06 - Safety
8:40 - Boot space
10:35 - No spare wheel
12:17 - Soft-road capability
14:56 - Rolling stock
15:53 - On road
16:12 - E-Power(train)
17:25 - Ride and handling
18:15 - Throttle ‘pulsing’ issue
19:18 - Verdict

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[gerrybailey]

I've owned the 4 wheel drive version for a year and have never experienced any loss of power going uphill, mine is effortless when climbing as it is everywhere. Power is not an issue with the X trail e power.

[vrsr]

I’ve just hit 12 months and reached 10, 000km in my Ti-L e power in the last week and 70% city/urban 30% highways at mainly 100km/h and overall fuel economy is 6.61l/100.
Did a 2, 500 round trip from Syd to Melb and that drive with passengers and full boot returned 6.57l/100km
Comparing it to the RAV4, you need to factor in its a heavier car with more premium features so if it’s within 1l/100km, I consider that acceptable for a nicer EV like drive experience.

Suburban driving is where this car excels as I regularly see high 4’s to low 5’s on specifc routes.
For its price, it see it a good bang for buck when compared to the cost of similar sized SUVs.

[InstaKane]

I test drove the car with the Bose sound system and it also sounded totally flat. SUV looks great though.

[nigelmacquillan]

Misrepresented the power train. The dealer was very clear and so has media on launch that Nissan was chasing driving experience, not economy, as the priority. Hybrid should not stand for anything more than the type of engine, not what seems to be implied here is that it should be efficient. It’s an electric car that you throw fuel in. That has a place.

[mdeshon]

I’ve been really wanting to look at this vehicle as an option to the car I’m planning on but there is a lack of PHEV vehicles.
I’ve kinda been guided into its cousin the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

Thank you for your input and feedback about this as a longer term review.

[CptScotty]

Question for any other owners, I was wondering if there was a way to stop external circulation and close off the vents i.e. when near bad smells without having to fully turn on the AC. I try pressing just the circulation button to close off vents and the AC always turns on.

[marshallmarthes]

My Toyota RAV4 Hybrid consistently gives me 5.3

[tinastengl]

Ours X-trail e-power had a engine and generator failure after 14000km. The car was only 10 months old..

[jacobsfishinadventures]

Ive owned my E-Power Ti-L for 9 months and have done 70, 000km and average between 5.2 to 5.6ltr so not sure why your average is high.

[jeffarnholt]

The 3 cylinder engine is HORRIBLY loud and coarse during city driving when it starts up to charge the battery. Many E-Force owners have complained about this, saying it sounds like a tractor. In contrast, the Honda CR-V/Accord hybrid engine (very similar power train design) is far quieter. The loud noise is a deal breaker for many. There are many, many good things about this car, but it needs far more sound dampening or perhaps a better 4 cylinder engine to charge the battery like the Hondas.

[markbyrnes]

Just picked up my wife's new E power X-Trail has anyone had issues without a spare tyre? we live in a rural area

[jimmychin]

There were several photos of the car parked across double white lines on the road. This is not a good look. Just saying

[alexouretski]

You know it’s a “quality review” when the reviewer says gems like “I came to appreciate the extra shelf below the centre console”🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ who the fuck cares about shit like that?

[lukeclifton]

So the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is less expensive, lighter, more efficient, lower manufacturing footprint and quicker… and Toyota reliability and resale.

The X-Trails interior does look much nicer than the RAV4 though.

[Norry]

I've owned my Ti E-power for nearly 12 months and can't fault it. The drive is exactly what I was looking for, coming from a CVT gearbox to an electric drivetrain has been brilliant, Can't fault the economy, It's not the best but it has kept me from visiting the servo as much as I has been previously. Very happy with my choice. Plus the added benefit of telling Toyota Rav 4 wait list customers that my car arrived in a matter of weeks is always a great feeling.

[romangromov]

Driving the TiL version for a year, at 10k km now, 6.4l per 100km so far. So, much less than for the reviewer. Driving more around the city, I would say 60/40 to urban conditions and always in Eco mode. Mostly agree with the rest mentioned in the video. Cupholders are just holes, which makes them difficult to use tbh. Super comfortable car, no noise issues at high speeds were noticed. Overall, happy with my purchasing decision.

[stephenberry]

My brother's 12 months in his X Trail X E Force Ti has exceeded expectations.
He hired a RAV 4 Hybrid first. Test drove the E Force and was blown away with the finishes, inclusions, responsiveness and serenity. On the highway - leave in cruise control.

Love the heads up display which reads speed limit signs and gives navigation.
All round camera was great.
Like you, the lack of spare wheel was the only real negative in Australia.

[joshify]

I would go for the non hybrid, just Naturally Aspirated, I know the engine will run forever, I dont drive a lot so hybrid wont save me money.

[phuntsokyutang]

I have one of those non Epower it’s so cool and I enjoying it.

[grahambyrne]

I’ve had my Ti e-power for nearly a year now and very happy with it. If I had to replace it tomorrow I’d buy exactly the same car.