2026 Nissan X-Trail NISMO revealed: Hybrid high-performance Toyota RAV4 GR Sport fighter set for September on-sale
Nissan’s high-performance NISMO sub-brand has revealed the 2026 Nissan X-Trail NISMO.
Utilising the e-POWER range extender hybrid powertrain and electric e-4ORCE all-wheel drive, the tuned version of the family SUV is set to go on-sale in Japan September 24.
Its Australian prospects appear to be zero sadly. If it ever did get here expect a price well over $60,000 plus on-road costs.
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The X-Trail NISMO will square off in 2026 against the GR Sport version of the new-gen 2026 Toyota RAV4 hybrid.
NISMO is Nissan’s long-standing performance partner in the same way AMG tunes Mercedes-Benz road cars and also goes motor racing
Past efforts have included the NISMO GT-R and Z sports car, a NISMO Patrol 4×4 and even a NISMO Qashqai. But this is the first time its ventured into this part of the market.
It’s a move that makes sense considering medium SUVs are so popular (number one seller in Australia) and hybrids take up a growing percentage of sales.
However, while the e-POWER system has had a little bit of tuning, most of the focus with the X-Trail NISMO has been its chassis and styling.
The X-Trail NISMO’s e-POWER set-up incorporates a specially tuned vehicle control module (VCM) offering a Sport mode that prioritizes responsiveness, and an Auto mode designed for mid to high range acceleration
But power and torque will be capped at an identical 157kW, while peak torque will continue at 525Nm.
The small 106kW/250Nm 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol with 1.5T will serve only as a generator, feeding the 1.8kWh battery pack.
This output comes from a blending a 150kW/330Nm e-motor that drives the front axle and a smaller 100kW/195Nm e-motor responsible for spinning up the rear wheels.
The Toyota RAV4 GR Sport AWD comes with much more power at 224kW for a far brisker 0-100km/h dash of 5.8 seconds, versus the X-Trail NISMO’s 7.0sec.
So, instead of turning up the wick, NISMO is claiming to have dialled up the X-Trail’s agility and involvement behind the wheel.
The suspension features Kayaba Swing Valve shock absorbers — a first for Nissan. Nissan says this technology balances the competing needs of minimizing body motion — it concedes that’s a challenge specific to high-riding SUVs — while maximising ride comfort.
The e-4ORCE electric-drive all-wheel control technology is specifically tuned for the X-Trail NISMO. Nissan says there has been a focus on rear-wheel drive distribution and controlling the front tyres for, enhancing line-tracing while accelerating through corners.
In addition, acceleration characteristics and front-rear drive distribution are tuned for each drive mode.
The X-Trail NISMO rides on Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres encasing 20-inch Enkei wheels with a wider opening to improve brake cooling. Nissan says the power steering has been optimised to complement the suspension and tyres.
Like the X-Trail, the RAV4 GR Sport will also feature a retuned suspension developed by the same engineers behind the latest GR Yaris and GR Corolla.
Helping the X-Trail NISMO ’s exterior stand out from its cheaper peers are dark chrome accents above the grille, a front under spoiler with a central NISMO logo, red-accented side under spoilers, a rear diffuser-shaped lower edge and racing-inspired rear fog lamps.
These features aren’t just cosmetic, contributing to a claimed 29 per cent decrease in aerodynamic lift compared to the standard X-Trail.
The interior features a black foundation with red accents. “NISMO-tuned” Recaro seats are an option.
