Nissan X-Trail e-Power vs Honda ZR-V e:HEV 2024 comparison review: Which hybrid family SUV is best?

We can thank the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid for setting off the chain of events that's led to a flood of new mainstream hybrid family SUVs hitting the Australian market, including the newer 2024 Nissan X-Trail e-Power and Honda ZR-V e:HEV.
Previously, we've pitted the RAV4 Hybrid against some of its established peers, but in this expert comparison review, CarsGuide Contributing Journalist Byron Mathioudakis pits the X-Trail e-Power's mid-range Ti version against the ZR-V e:HEV's sole LX variant to find out which one is the best of new bunch in this highly competitive segment.
And before you say it, the X-Trail's traditional Honda rival has been the CR-V, but the brand-new ZR-V also plays in the mid-size class, albeit at the smaller end. It's also tantalisingly close to the X-Trail e-Power's entry-level ST-L derivative and is, therefore, a close competitor. So, who wins? Watch to find out!
#Nissan #XTrail #Honda #ZRV #Review
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00:00 Intro
00:37 Pricing and features
03:03 Design - ZR-V
04:01 Design - X-Trail
04:44 Practicality
10:07 Under the bonnet
12:37 Driving - X-Trail
16:14 Driving - ZR-V
19:32 Efficiency
20:31 Safety
21:14 Ownership
22:06 Verdict
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Read Byron's full review: bit.ly/3v6hEKS
Check out our Nissan X-Trail hub: bit.ly/3AZDkIr
Check out our Honda ZR-V hub: bit.ly/3XWLhbV
Find more SUVs: bit.ly/3QVs1X1
Visit our EVGuide: bit.ly/3UHO9GT
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[@FFXIVArtist]

ZR-V competes with Qashqai, CR-V with X-Trail.

[@ferdinandogiusepperotolo638]

Exactly!

[@I_hate_Vegemite]

ZR-V is much bigger than Qashqai. CR-V is much wider and a bit longer than the X-Trail - it’s half a class bigger.

[@FFXIVArtist]

@@I_hate_Vegemite yeah, nah. All dimensions are within 2 cm of each other for X-Trail and CR-V. Fact check before posting.

[@I_hate_Vegemite]

@@FFXIVArtist Apologies, the X-Trail is close to the CR-V, I had checked the specs but got lost in the detail of multiple vehicles. It’s only 24mm wider. However the Qashqai is significantly shorter than the ZR-V. I would happily buy a ZR-V E:HEV if it had the Euro spec sunroof, and ideally the piano black trim. Long wait for a 2024 X-Trail E-Power Ti-L, but there are currently surprisingly good negotiated discounts on abundant 2023-build Ti. No or short wait on 2023 build ZR-V/CR-V HEV at fixed pricing.

[@OlyMar83]

You mentioned the RAV 4 at the beginning. It’s still ticks the most boxes for Aussies families. - hybrid economy - price (apart from the wait time you can get a GX hybrid for 45k) - toyota reliability - service costs/running costs - service intervals - space/practicality - resale value The only thing these cars do better is driving dynamics. The epower also costs so much for servicing.

[@worrywart1311]

On the downside they are as scarce as unicorns to acquire.

[@tonymartin9938]

I can't follow this. Two different class sizes. If, when doing a comparison of same class and there is a pricing issue, that just becomes part of the evaluation. If price is the main issue, where is the Haval comparison for example?

[@I_hate_Vegemite]

I would have thought that the Japanese Honda 2.0L 4cyl n/a Atkinson engine running on 91ULP is a significant advantage for longevity, service costs and fuel costs over the Euro Nissan 3cyl 1.5T running on 95PULP?

[@sheyone9075]

Can you do camparison between Citroen C5X and Subaru Outback?

[@puxiaotian611]

Hi there, I really appreciate your review. I just read from another source that the ZR-V doesn't come with an auto-lock function. Since you've been driving this car for a while now, does that mean you have to manually lock the doors every time?

[@peterbowling2410]

no, the CRV auto locks when you all away. You can also use the tailgate close function that auto closes and locks when you walk away with your arms full.

[@user-en1mr2ks7e]

They should have compared the Nissan Qashqai with Zrv instead of xtrail. These are totally different cars.

[@alaznispireli7481]

if someone knows ZR V does it has AWD hybrid version?

[@peterbowling2410]

In Melbourne you can now get eight year unlimited warranty and roadside assist.

[@archienguyen6065]

ZRV Lacks an adjustable lumbar support, which is mind-boggling. You would think this would be standard at that price. Due to a bad back, I'd go with the X Trail.

[@worrywart1311]

That single fact tells us nothing about the comparative comfort of the seats or effect after a trip.

[@saab5055]

why would anyone /family cross shop the zrv - 2wd vs xtrail awd, if you live anywhere other then say sydney/melb city a 2wd is just a high riding hatchback and there are plenty of them in the market . price is 1 factor and not a convincing 1 at theat.

[@wildpixel8302]

Weird how they’re using the Honda ZRV against the Xtrail and not the CRV

[@andrewmihaleff]

It's all because these two are more closely matched on price

[@JayJay-vu8tj]

There is a 12 month plus wait for the nissan xtrail epower ti-l

[@waterland168]

I hope to see xtrail til epower to compare with volkswagen tiguan

[@jeffstryker1454]

X trail for me thanks.

[@I_hate_Vegemite]

If the 2 electric motors are always doing the driving, then how does the Nissan have a CVT? It doesn’t! I don’t think the ZR-V has a true CVT either.

[@troybeaman9845]

Yeah he really should know the product he is reviewing before commenting. He said the ZRV cvt was ‘flaring’. It is driven directly by electric motors until over 100km/h, it can’t ‘flare’. The revs change to match the demand of the electric motor. So much of what he said was completely wrong.

[@nealhotham1169]

Toyota didn't start the SUV craze. Subaru did !

[@worrywart1311]

Yes but of course they are really station wagons.

[@I_hate_Vegemite]

Toyota RAV-4 1994, Subaru Forester 1997 …. Subie were copy cats of to that form of vehicle. Subie previously had the AWD wagons Leone and then Outback that you may or may not call an SUV, but Toyota had the Terkel 4WD. That said, the Kia Sportage (based on a Mazda Bongo platform) pre-dated the RAV-4 as did vehicles like the Suzuki Vitara and Daihatsu Jimny.

[@worrywart1311]

@@I_hate_Vegemite Ah yes, the dreaded Bongo van. I remember it had a terribly soft suspension and sat in one for a near 100kms journey, bouncing along the whole way.

[@stizzygrayson5541]

ZRV doesn’t have auto locking doors when you drive off, which is dangerous.

[@worrywart1311]

Safe enough if you wear your seat-belt and don't drink and drive.

[@JSY179]

😂

[@RUHappyATM]

Why is the Honda ZR-V e:HEV considered an SUV? It's a FWD!

[@worrywart1311]

RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 also sold in FWD versions. Are they not considered to be SUVs?

[@RUHappyATM]

@@worrywart1311 That's why I think the label SUV is stoopid. Just call them jacked-up cars.

[@chrisgray4239]

Nissan a better design but Honda a much better choice for reliability, where's the sunroof though?

[@TheMohamedaliahmed]

No transmission fits in nissan

[@honestjoe632]

CVT 🤮

[@worrywart1311]

Don't know about the Nissan but there is no CVT in the Honda in the traditional sense, the transmission is electronic save for one fixed gear (no pulleys).

[@dandandan3515]

both are not good😂

[@RUHappyATM]

I heard both companies, Nissan and Honda, are in decline.

[@MithunOnTheNet]

You heard that from EV fanboys and Chinese propaganda sources?

[@RUHappyATM]

@@MithunOnTheNet , Nah, from a non-EV fanboy on YT.