Like embarking on a big family adventure, making the switch to electric driving is truly exciting. But what if you’re not quite ready to go all-electric right away?
What if you want an electrified car that has all the go-anywhere convenience of petrol you’re used to, blended with EV-like driving character? That’s where the new Nissan X-Trail e-POWER comes in.
Available with five or seven seats[2] (so you can pack even more into every journey), sharp looks, a wealth of advanced safety and connectivity tech, and off-roading abilities that speak to its rugged lineage, the standard Nissan X-Trail is already an alluring proposition. Then you add e-POWER. e-POWER is a unique electrified powertrain that uses an electric motor to power the wheels, while a petrol engine keeps the battery topped up. The result is true EV-like driving feel, with smooth acceleration and heaps of all-electric torque.
The Nissan X-Trail e-POWER is also available with Nissan’s e-4ORCE[3] all-wheel drive system. This controls the torque and braking for each wheel individually, giving priority to the wheels with the most grip to maximise stability and traction – letting you take those big family weekends to the next level.
To find out exactly how the Nissan X-Trail e-POWER is to drive, we invited a group of What Car? readers to Goodwood Motor Circuit to try it for themselves[4].
VW Multivan 1.4 TSI eHybrid
IF YOUR FAMILY has swollen to seven yet you still want to take advantage of plug-in hybrid power, Volkswagen’s Multivan is one of the few options.
It’s officially capable of travelling for around 30 miles without using any petrol. What’s more, it’s brisk – even if you’ve loaded it to the gunwales.
It does feel its considerable size in twists and turns, but there is at least a reassuring heft to the steering at higher speeds. And besides, comfort is more important than handling in cars like this, and here the Multivan impresses.
Our pick 1.4 TSI eHybrid Life List price £
