New “Prius” adopts a new “novel meter.

“Nissan’s New xtrail to be Exclusively Hybrid! What are the advantages and strengths of the increasing number of “”Hybrid SUVs””?

What in the world is a hybrid x SUV?
　Nissan’s popular SUV, the Nissan xtrail, has undergone a full model change and is now in its fourth generation model. Moreover, the platform has been completely redesigned this time, making it an exclusive model for Nissan’s series-type hybrid, e-POWER.

The new XTRAIL’s custom cars are too cool! View 32 photos of the EXTREME X, AUTECH, and NISMO.

　The fact that the XTRAIL, which used to be equipped with a clean diesel engine and boasted tough driving performance, has become a hybrid-only model shows that hybrids are now mainstream even in SUVs.

Nissan’s new xtrail, now a hybrid-only model

　On the other hand, for XC-based SUVs with a strong off-road orientation, diesel engines, which offer both high torque and good economy with light oil, are still very popular.

　Let us examine the appeal of “”hybrid SUVs”” from various angles to see if hybrids are suitable for SUVs in the first place.

　SUVs are now booming, and Toyota’s Crown, once the king of sedans, now has three SUVs in its lineup, including a crossover SUV in the new model.

　In addition, with the government-led goal of “”in principle banning the sale of new cars with gasoline engines by 2030,”” hybrid vehicles are now the mainstay of the transitional period leading up to pure EVs, and in addition to series, parallel, and series-parallel systems, there are also systems such as the mild hybrid, which is used in mini cars and other vehicles. There are systems such as mild hybrids.

　So what are the biggest advantages of hybrid SUVs? We asked Mr. T, an industry insider.

He said, “”The good thing about a hybrid is that it compensates for one of the weak points of SUVs, which is poor fuel economy due to the heavy weight of the vehicle. Hybrid vehicles will also have advantages in terms of taxes and insurance.

　Although the number of BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) SUVs is still small, hybrids will be the main powertrain for SUVs that are used for leisure activities and often travel long distances.

　The advantages of hybrids, such as quietness and low emissions of harmful substances, are also favorable for SUVs that are often used for outdoor field trips.

　In other words, hybrids are expected to successfully compensate for the disadvantages of SUVs equipped with large-displacement engines.

* * *

　With the current global shortage of semiconductors, delivery dates for attractive new vehicles are still undecided, and many people are considering used SUVs that can be driven immediately.

　Since used cars are mainly models that are several years old, they are likely to choose from gasoline or diesel vehicles, but is it still a good idea to buy a hybrid SUV?

　The concern with used cars is that even if you want to go after a hybrid SUV, the current used car market is dominated by models with hybrid systems that are a generation old.

　We asked Mr. K, the manager of a Tokyo-based dealership that handles both new and used hybrid SUVs, about used hybrid SUVs.

He said, “”I have the impression that used hybrid SUVs are not as popular as I thought they would be, despite the fact that there are a fair number of them in circulation.

　People who are looking for a domestic SUV tend to prefer newer models, and they tend to avoid “”late models”” even if they are reasonably priced.

　Currently, it is better to wait for a new hybrid SUV or to go for a used car that is as new as possible, but three years from now, when the current new models start to appear on the used car market, hybrid vehicles may become the focus.

　In particular, hybrid models of popular SUVs such as Toyota’s Yaris Cross, RAV4, and Harrier have a fast market cycle and may be available in a little while longer.

The new Nissan Extrail is now available exclusively as a hybrid! What are the advantages and strengths of the growing number of “”hybrid SUVs””?

Can you drive off-road in a hybrid SUV? Can it be customized?
　One of our concerns with hybrid SUVs is whether they can be driven off-road. We talked to staff at a 4WD specialty store that specializes in XC and other customization to find out if hybrids can handle heavy-duty use.

The answer is no. This is not a question of the performance of the hybrid system, but rather the nature of the vehicle itself.

　Passenger car-based SUVs use a monocoque body and are built with priority given to on-road use. In scenes of severe impact or extreme load, body rigidity is more of a concern than suspension.

　On the other hand, Nissan’s e-4ORCE and Toyota’s E-Four electronically control the front and rear torque distribution, which is superior to manual operation by humans.

　They detect road conditions and speed to optimize torque distribution, making it easier for beginners to drive off-road or on snow-covered roads.

Hybrid version of the Toyota RAV4

　The latest hybrid system also enables control that takes even road noise into consideration, such as actively running the engine in situations where road noise is also high on rough road surfaces.

　This is because while on-road performance is important, off-road performance is also fully taken into account, so it can be said that the hybrid system more than satisfies the performance required for SUVs.

　So, can a hybrid SUV be customized?

There are still very few full-scale off-roaders with a hybrid system, and few stores or manufacturers are developing parts for them.

　Hybrids are very sensitive systems, so we think that light customization, such as installing exterior parts and changing tires and wheels, will probably be the main focus at this point.

　Are there any concerns about the daily maintenance of hybrid SUVs? We asked a mechanic in Kanagawa Prefecture who handles maintenance and repairs for both domestic and imported vehicles.

He said, “”Hybrid SUVs are still a new genre, so I don’t have a good grasp of their durability, but I don’t think there will be any mechanical problems.

　However, there are some points to note that are not limited to SUVs, but are unique to vehicles equipped with hybrid systems.

In addition to the main battery, such as lithium-ion or nickel, hybrid vehicles are also equipped with an auxiliary battery, which is often forgotten.

　Most of the battery problems in hybrid cars are caused by the auxiliary battery, so don’t forget to check it.

　(H mechanic) “”Auxiliary batteries in gasoline cars are located in the engine compartment, but in hybrid cars they are often installed in hard-to-reach places such as under the rear seats, which often results in a higher labor cost.

The bottleneck of hybrid SUVs is that they are not gasoline-powered.

　The bottleneck of hybrid SUVs is that they are more expensive than gasoline-powered vehicles, but other than that, we may conclude that the combination of SUVs and hybrids can only be beneficial.”