Nissan’s goal has always been to anticipate the future. They made this clear with milestones such as the launch of the Nissan Qashqai in 2007 to inaugurate the crossover segment. They followed in 2010 with the Nissan Leaf, which quickly became the first mass-produced electric. In parallel, they continued to dominate the SUV world with the Nissan Juke. Now almost a decade has passed since the first Crossover Domination and we are in the seventh edition testing its entire range.
There are many interesting models in Nissan, almost all of them have gone through our test section. It has come to our attention that the available specimens were electrifiedso let’s do an in-depth review of the ePower technology, to its operation and its different levels. It should be noted that 80% of the crossovers that Nissan sold in Spain during 2022 were electrified, a figure well above the average, which is around 11%. And after having driven them, the truth is that it is easy to understand.
If we start analyzing by size, we come across the Nissan Juke Hybrid in the first step. The urban SUV is already in its second generation and embraced a electrification that does not receive the e-Power seal, but that can also be interesting for many users. It carries the propulsion system of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, the same one that we have seen in the Captur. It consists of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that is combined with an electric block 36 kW and a small 1.2 kWh battery. We tested it some time ago and it leaves a good taste in the mouth for behavior and efficiency. In addition, it debuts the e-Pedal Step system.
One of the fundamental pillars has been the Nissan Qashqai e-Power. The best seller adopts the latest generation electrified propulsion system, the one that wants to position itself as a car with the advantages of an electric, without the disadvantages of an electric. Because, in this case, a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine is combined with an electric block of 190 hp.
When we tested it, we could see how the electric motor is the only one in charge of moving the front wheels, while the gasoline block only works as a mere power generator. That’s why he declares those 190 hp and 330 Nm of torque from the electric motor, who are the ones who act. The hybrid system is completed by a 2.1 kWh battery. If this version of the Qashqai stands out for something, it would be for its refinement and also for achieving fairly low consumption. keeps the e-Pedal Step to give that characteristic point of the brand.
One step above is the Nissan X-Trail e-Power, a model that breaks with all of the above. The new generation builds on the CMF-C platform and maintains its ability as one of the few seven-seater crossovers in the mainstream market. However, with the e-Power drive system it adds up to much more. It has renounced diesel completely and its range is made up of a 163 hp Mild Hybrid and two full-fledged hybrids. The same scheme is used as in Qashqai, with that combination of 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine as power generator, and electrical mechanics to move the wheels. The battery is maintained with its 2.1 kWh capacity.
In the case of the front-wheel drive, it reaches 204 CV of power, a level that is already quite usable. Although it must be recognized that this type of vehicle could be more interesting with all-wheel drive. For that comes the X-Trail e-Power e-4orce, with 213 CV thanks to a second electrical block located on the rear axle. We have been able to drive it through snow (shod with good Michelin Pilot Alpine tires) and it is a joy to see its traction capacity at any level. It also keeps the good insulation and rolling comfort that make it a perfect vehicle for traveling.
Last but not least, the Nissan Ariya was added to this seventh Crossover Domination. It is the first time that there is an electric SUV in the range of the Japanese firm and it has been a premiere in style. It already surprised us when we tested it a few months ago and now it confirms its capabilities. It is based on the CMF-EV platform and maintains that e-4orce all-wheel drive system to gain balance between power and control. It also highlights its distribution of weights or that the inertia is barely noticeable for its size. It is not an e-Power, but its electrification is at the highest level of the brand.
As a summary, we could say that the strengths of the e-Power technology is that it maintains the electric driving sensations, with an almost immediate response. The gasoline would be your recharge, since they are not pluggable, your battery is simply filling up with the energy of the gasoline engine and the energy it recycles from regenerative braking. Compared to other conventional hybrids, it has been shown to be more efficient, with some very tight consumption and emissions. It’s also paired with the e-Pedal Step for profitable city riding.
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