Nissan X-Trail Nismo Debuts in Japan With Aggressive Styling and Chassis Upgrades

Nissan has revealed the first-ever Nismo variant of the X-Trail in its home market of Japan. The X-Trail Nismo retains the standard model’s powertrain but introduces chassis enhancements and a sportier exterior design. Currently, Nissan offers only the standard X-Trail in India, and there’s no official word on whether the Nismo variant will make its way here. For now, the X-Trail Nismo remains a Japan-exclusive offering, with sales set to begin in September 2025. Read on to find out what sets this performance-inspired SUV apart.

Nissan X-Trail Nismo: What's Different?

The new X-Trail Nismo is a tribute to Nissan's rich motorsport legacy. It stands out with performance-inspired styling with functional aerodynamics. The exterior is marked by a race-bred design, featuring a sculpted front, bumper with a pronounced splitter, signature red Nismo accents, sleeker side skirts, and a redesigned rear diffuser. All of these functional elements are said to work collectively to reduce aerodynamic lift by a claimed 29% compared to the standard X-Trail, without increasing drag. The SUV comes with exclusive 20-inch Enkei aluminium wheels, wrapped in high-performance Michelin Pilot Sport EV tyres.

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The SUV sports a dark, performance-inspired cabin highlighted by red accents. The standard seats feature a combination of fabric and leatherette upholstery with contrast red stitching. Meanwhile, Nissan offers Nismo-tuned Recaro sport seats as an option. These seats come with power recline and heating functions.

The X-Trail Nismo has the familiar e-Power hybrid setup, which combines a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine (used solely as a generator) with dual electric motors to produce a combined output of 208bhp and 525Nm. However, its driving dynamics are enhanced through strategic tuning. The e-4ORCE all-wheel-drive system has been recalibrated to send more power to the rear wheels, improving line-tracing and overall cornering stability.

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As for the hardware, the X-Trail Nismo benefits from Kayaba Swing Valve shock absorbers, a first for any Nissan model. It allows for an optimal balance between minimizing body roll and maximising ride comfort. The vehicle control module (VCM) has also been specially tuned, which offers two distinct drive modes: Sport and Auto.