Arrival of e-Power in a front-drive format and addition of a rugged styling pack are hoped to lift customer interest.

MORE CHOICE has come to the Nissan X-Trail line-up, with availability of the e-Power drivetrain to front-wheel finally signing off.

In addition to that development, Nissan has also determined to deliver the all-wheel-drive editions with a rugged-looking Rock Creek package (pictured).

These changes tie to revisions for Australia and again reflects how regional market provisions have become common for both countries.

Nissan's series-hybrid technology involves a petrol engine, but purely as a generator, which means e-Power is to all intents an electric driving experience, according to its maker.

However, because the engine is involved, the type is categorised as petrol powertrain, so is the only electric here not to be affected by Road User Charge.

E-Power has been available to front-drive products elsewhere, but in NZ it has previously been purely aligned to all-wheel-drive in the X-Trail.

The switch to front-wheel drive improves efficiency. Nissan claims combined fuel consumption of 5.4L/100km, down from 6.1L/100km for the all-wheel-drive models, while CO2 emissions fall from 139 grams per kilometre to 123g/km.

Nissan says the new variants reflect changing buyer preferences, with hybrid powertrains now overtaking petrol in the medium SUV segment and around half of hybrid buyers opting for two-wheel drive.

Nissan sees potential for the additional variants lending fresh customer interest, so has an introductory pricing package that snips $6000 from the two choices, this running until September 30.

After that, the ST-L 2WD e-Power moves from $49,990 to $55,990, while the more affluent Ti-L 2WD e-Power jumps from $55,990 to $61,990.

The same $6k discount also applies over the same period to the X-Trail Rock Creek, a new variant based on the ST-L 4WD in its seven chair petrol and alternate e-Power formats, with neo mechanical revisions.

The Rock Creek receives a unique front grille inspired by Nissan’s D21 ute, gloss-black exterior trim, bespoke front bumper, black roof rails, exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels and orange exterior detailing. A new Baja Storm paint finish with a contrasting black roof is also offered.

The interior has ‘ballistic’ nylon seat trim with embroidered badging, orange contrast stitching, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.8-inch head-up display, upgrades over the donor ST-L grade.

Mechanically the Rock Creek retains the standard petrol drivetrain and all-wheel-drive system.

The petrol prices from $50,590 and e-Power is $55,590; with post September 30 adjustments to $56,590 and $61,590.

Argument for the new derivatives is as per in Australia. The brand sees growing demand for hybrid powertrains in the medium SUV segment, where buyers have increasingly shifted away from conventional petrol-only models.

Nissan says around half of hybrid medium SUV buyers now choose two-wheel-drive vehicles, prompting the introduction of the lower-priced e-Power variants.

Orders for all are open now, with first customer deliveries expected in September.