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Nissan To Introduce X-Trail SUV In India: Likely To Feature A 1.5L Turbo Petrol Engine
Nissan is likely to introduce the X-Trail SUV in India by August. This upcoming SUV is most likely to be sold as a CBU model in limited numbers. This move follows the discontinuation of the Kicks in April 2023, leaving the Magnite as Nissan's sole offering in the country.
The X-Trail, previously sold in its first and second generations, will now make a comeback in its fourth generation. This model has been available internationally since 2021 and has been spotted testing on Indian roads multiple times.
The Nissan X-Trail is expected to be powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with 201bhp and 305Nm of torque. Although the CVT gearbox is confirmed, whether the model will feature 2WD or AWD remains uncertain.
Government policies and customer feedback favour the petrol specification, making hybrid models less viable due to higher taxes. Therefore, the X-Trail will not feature the hybrid version showcased last year. This strategy aligns with Nissan’s research, indicating that a petrol engine is currently more feasible.
In comparison, the Skoda Kodiaq, another 7-seater SUV with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 190hp, is priced at Rs 39.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The X-Trail's introduction aims to compete in this segment, offering an alternative for customers seeking a petrol-only large SUV.
Nissan also showcased the Juke and Qashqai SUVs in 2022, both featuring hybrid technology, which are still under evaluation for the Indian market. Additionally, the company is working on a facelift for the Magnite to maintain consumer interest.
In recent developments, Nissan reported that Magnite sales reached 30,146 units in FY2023-24. However, the Magnite was recently recalled due to an issue with the front door handle sensor, reflecting the ongoing challenges in maintaining product quality.
DriveSpark Thinks
The Nissan X-Trail is a very capable SUV and has all the right ingredients to be successful in India. However, to ensure the X-Trail lives up to its potential, Nissan India has to price the product competitively to attract buyers in India.
That being said, Nissan can import up to 2500 units of Nissan X-Trail SUV in India, without the need for homologation. So, we can expect Nissan India to target this number as its sales figure (X-Trail) for the year.
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