- The Nissan X-Trail Nismo debuts in Japan in September, priced from the equivalent of NZ$62,700.
- Power remains unchanged at 157kW from the e-Power hybrid system with dual electric motors.
- Upgrades include Enkei 20-inch wheels, revised suspension with Kayaba shocks and retuned e-4orce AWD.
Nissan’s performance arm has unleashed its latest SUV makeover, the X-Trail Nismo.
Fresh from its debut in Japan, the sporty take on the family haulier promises sharper looks and livelier handling, though anyone expecting a bigger kick under the bonnet will be left wanting.
Dressed to impress
The X-Trail Nismo wears a bolder body kit with front splitter, side skirts, and a diffuser capped off by an F1-style brake light. Nismo’s trademark red flourishes run the length of the SUV, and a new Stealth Gray paint option with a contrasting black roof emphasises the aggressive stance.
A set of 20-inch Enkei alloys wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport EV rubber completes the look. Nissan says the bodywork is more than cosmetic, as it trims lift by nearly 30% for added stability.
Cabin gets the Nismo treatment
Inside, the theme continues with black trim, red stitching, and the option of Recaro buckets finished in leather and Alcantara.
The sport seats bring heating and power recline without compromising comfort, though buyers will need to forgo the seven-seat option, as the Nismo is strictly a five-seater.
All chassis, no extra horses
The catch? The X-Trail Nismo keeps the standard e-Power hybrid setup. That means a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine working as a generator for dual electric motors, good for 157kW and 525Nm. By comparison, Toyota’s RAV4 GR Sport plug-in boasts 239kW.
Nismo engineers instead poured effort into dynamics. The SUV debuts Kayaba Swing Valve shocks, aimed at taming roll while keeping ride comfort. Its e-4orce AWD system is retuned for sharper torque distribution and stronger rear bias, while a revised Sport mode in the control module promises snappier response.
The X-Trail Nismo launches in Japan on 24 September, priced from ¥5,416,400 to ¥5,962,000 (about NZ$62,700 to $69,000). Optional Recaro seats add another ¥489,500 ($5600).
Whether Nissan will export the model remains unanswered, so for now, this hot SUV is a JDM-only affair.
