New Nissan X-Trail Rendered: Longer, Smarter, And More Electrified Than Ever

The next generation Nissan X-Trail is finally starting to step out of the shadows, and these early prototype photos give us a surprisingly clear idea of where the design is heading. Even under camouflage, you can see that Nissan did not want to lose the familiar X-Trail character, but they definitely wanted it to look more upscale and more modern on the road.

Up front, the overall shape is still recognizably X-Trail, but the details are sharper. The trapezoidal grille is wider and appears to flow directly into the slim, horizontal headlights, similar in spirit to what we saw on the latest Murano. The main light units sit high and narrow, while the LED daytime running lights seem to move lower on the fascia, arranged as 5 polygon-style elements on each side. It is the kind of face that will look confident in a rearview mirror without being overly aggressive.

From the side, the new model keeps that strong, family SUV stance. The wide C pillars instantly stand out and feel like a visual link to the brand’s flagship Patrol sport utility vehicle, giving the X-Trail a more premium vibe than before. The roofline appears slightly longer toward the back, and the rear overhang looks stretched just enough to suggest that trunk space will improve, which families and road trip fans will definitely appreciate.

The rear is still mostly hidden by heavy camouflage, but you can read the basic proportions. The tailgate seems more upright, and the rear bumper looks more substantial. Since the lights are fully covered, designers imagine the production X-Trail could borrow some of the bold light signatures we have already seen on the Patrol, with strong graphic shapes that wrap into the tailgate and make the car instantly recognizable at night.

Under the skin, Nissan is clearly preparing the X-Trail for a more electrified future. While official details are not confirmed yet, the model is expected to be offered with 2 different hybrid systems. One will be the familiar e Power setup, where an electric motor does the driving and a gasoline engine works mainly as a generator. The second option is expected to be a plug in hybrid system built around a 2.4 liter gasoline engine paired with 2 electric motors, similar in concept to the recently presented Nissan Rogue plug in hybrid that shares hardware with the Mitsubishi Outlander.

What this means in real life is that drivers can look forward to better fuel efficiency, smoother power delivery, and the ability to drive short distances on electric power alone with the plug in version. At the same time, the traditional strengths of the X-Trail, such as practicality, comfort, and all wheel drive capability, are likely to be carried over and improved.