Since the start of the new year, Nissan has been electrifying its audiences with its range of brand-new electric vehicles.
The Qashqai, which has been one of Nissan's most successful models since 2007, was updated earlier in the year with a hybrid engine, and now another famous Nissan vehicle, the X-Trail, has just received a makeover.
With all eyes on the Shanghai Motor Show this week, the Japanese auto giant is keen to show off its new X-Trail that will have a hybrid engine. It will also feature Nissan's innovative new e-POWER powertrain technology when it arrives in Europe in 2022.
No information is available yet as to whether or not it will be sold in the US, though it was not that long ago that the Japanese car brand produced its own version of the X-Trail in North America, the Rogue.
Nissan is keen to improve its PR strategy following a disastrous three years that have been affected by the Carlos Ghosn scandal and the coronavirus.
Be warned - this car is not going to be cheap. There is no official word on pricing yet, but customers may have to fork out £23,000 in the UK if they hope to get their hands on Nissan's latest model.
Despite this, Nissan's Japanese rival, Honda, which has also suffered as a result of the loss of its Swindon plant in the UK, is also looking to revive its fortunes. Its new CR-V SUV, which will be released in 2022, has been caught testing several times on foreign soil.
Could the CR-V really be a match for the legendary X-Trail? Let's find out how much we know about each car so far.
How Much Do We Know About The 2022 Nissan X-Trail's Design?
Inside, the fourth-generation Nissan X-Trail will remain available optionally with seven seats.
The Rogue should provide Nissan's fans with a good insight as to what the new X-Trail's dimensions and technical details should be, though that information is yet to be released by the Japanese auto giant.
The Rogue itself is 38mm shorter and 5mm lower than its predecessor, so customers should expect similar changes to the new X-Trail, alongside a series of aero-focused new design cues. According to Motor1, Nissan has promised 'cutting-edge design, dedication to detail, and advanced technologies.'
Guillaume Cartier, Chairman for Nissan Africa, Middle East, India, Europe, and the Oceania region, told Automotive World that the new X-Trail will remain true to its 'SUV formula, which has proved so successful for Nissan; since the introduction of the first model in 2001.' Expect lots of exciting new additions in the future, then.
How Much Do We Know About The New Nissan X-Trail's Engine?
Of course, the engine is the whole reason why Nissan decided to upgrade its X-Trail in the first place, so this is the most important detail of all. Rather like the 2021 Qashqai, the new Nissan X-Trail will consist of a 1.5-liter gasoline engine paired to a front-mounted electric motor for a total output of 188bhp.
It offers the same e-Pedal one-pedal operational ability as the LEAF, the Japanese auto giant's first electric model. Apparently, this will help enhance the car's efficiency and lower its emissions, part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi's bid to become a greener auto manufacturer.
Furthermore, the X-Trail is also likely to copy the somewhat bigger latest generation of the Qashqai's CMF-C architecture that brings new front suspension and a more responsive steering set-up to enhance the model's dynamic behavior. The Japanese car manufacturer has confirmed to Autocar that a four-wheel-drive variant will be available, equipped with different settings for driving on different terrains. The days of the 1.6, 1.7, and 2.0dCi engines are gone.
Thanks to its e-POWER installation, the gasoline engine will be used solely to generate electricity, while the tires are driven only by the electric motor.
Could The New Honda CR-V Be Any Better Than The Nissan X-Trail?
The exterior of the new Honda CR-V has been updated. It will consist of styling cues from the new generations of the Civic and the HR-V. The front end will be longer, and the grille will be much bigger than before.
Also, the interior will be larger, and it will have Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A 1.5-liter turbocharged VTEC engine with a CVT gearbox will be available.
Based on the information available so far, the details of the latest Honda CR-V all seem similar to those of the new Nissan X-Trail, so it is difficult at the moment to be able to identify which one may well be the superior model in the future. The competition between Nissan and Honda will be intense next year when both vehicles are available to purchase.