Nissan India has unveiled three new SUVs that it plans to launch in India, leveraging the Japanese brand’s strong international SUV portfolio. The new SUVs include the Nissan X-Trail, the Nissan Qashqai, and the Nissan Juke, and will join the Magnite in the near future. Nissan is also keen on bringing their hybrid powertrains with these cars, giving them a unique position among their respective competition. The SUVs unveiled will be brought to India as imported CBU units, placing these cars at the premium end of their respective segments.
Here is what you need to know about the Nissan’s newest SUVs for India.
Nissan X-Trail
India is familiar with the X-Trail name. This is the SUV that Nissan entered the Indian market with in 2005. While it wasn’t a mass success like other SUVs in its segment, the Nissan X-Trail was a well-regarded SUV. Nissan has now unveiled the fourth generation of the X-Trail and it is the first car that will come to the Indian market. It is expected to rival the Toyota Fortuner, Volkswagen Tiguan, and Skoda Kodiaq.
Those who remember the boxy X-Trail will be pleasantly surprised by the modern and angular design of the new SUV. The new X-Trail features Nissan’s signature front grille along with a split headlamp design. In terms of size, the X-Trail has grown and this is to accommodate 5-seater and 7-seater configurations within its 4.68m length. The rear is mostly flat and features the boomerang-style tail lamps that has been seen on the Nissan Kicks.
The key to differentiate the X-Trail from its competitors is the hybrid powertrains Nissan intends to launch the SUV with. On offer will be a 1.5-litre mild hybrid turbo petrol engine and a 1.5-litre e-Power strong petrol hybrid. The ePower powertrain is essentially an EV that moves using the electric motors. The petrol engine on-board only serves as a generator to charge the batteries and does not contribute to the power sent to the wheels.
Nissan Qashqai
The premium SUV segment is a very competitive market that Nissan is keen to compete in with the Nissan Qashqai. However, its CBU status will mean it will compete against the likes of the Citroen C5 Aircross, Jeep Compass and Hyundai Tucson. The Qashqai is one of Nissan’s best-selling cars in international markets and the Japanese brand will be hoping to emulate that success here, even with limited numbers.
At first glance, the Qashqai can easily be mistaken for a Lexus, thanks to the angular front headlamp cluster and large front grille. The sharp character lines across the body highlight the dynamic character of the SUV and only the Tucson, with its angular design can match the Qashqai’s design. The Qashqai is an exclusively 5-seater SUV and will slot in below the X-Trail when it is launched.
International markets see the Qashqai equipped with a 1.3-litre mild hybrid turbo petrol engine as well as a lower tune of the same e-Power powertrain on the X-Trail. While the mild hybrid variant will be the more accessible car, the strong hybrid is the variant that will help differentiate the Nissan SUV from the competition.
Nissan Juke
While Nissan has confirmed the X-Trail and Qashqai for the Indian market, the eccentric Nissan Juke does not have any launch plans as yet. The Juke has been unveiled to gauge public interest in the car and would only be considered if Nissan sees sufficient demand for the small SUV. In terms of dimensions, the Juke is similar to the Volkswagen Taigun and Skoda Kushaq but will be priced similar to the now discontinued VW T-ROC.
