Tougher Nissan X-Trail Rock Creek confirmed for Australia as cheaper e-Power variants also join range

The 2026 Nissan X-Trail range has expanded, with the mid-size SUV's e-Power hybrid powertrain now available in more affordable front-wheel drive variants, while a rugged new Rock Creek flagship is also due in Australian showrooms in September.

The Japanese brand's rival for the popular Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5 will be the first Nissan model to wear the Rock Creek nameplate in Australia, following Rock Creek versions of the X-Trail sold in Japan and the US (where it's badged as the Rogue), as well as the larger Pathfinder large SUV which is being phased out in Australia.

"The new Nissan X-Trail Rock Creek answers a clear call from buyers who want their compact family SUV to look and feel ready for the weekend," said Nissan Oceania Managing Director Steve Milette in a statement.

"Rock Creek pairs genuine, rugged attitude with seven-seat practicality, and gives X-Trail a distinctive new character at the adventurous end of the range."

A rival to the Subaru Forester Wilderness Hybrid, which has yet to be confirmed for Australia, the X-Trail Rock Creek will be priced from $48,315 before on-road costs, marking a $2435 premium over the seven-seat petrol-powered X-Trail ST-L on which it is based.

The tougher-looking X-Trail is distinguished by a new Baja Storm exterior paint colour, a $1495 option named after the Baja region of Mexico, a hub for off-road motorsport. It features a contrasting black roof, black exterior trim and orange highlights.

These include a black V-motion grille, a unique lower front bumper, an orange Nissan badge and orange detailing, while the gloss-black 18-inch alloy wheels feature a distinctive orange spoke.

Australian buyers miss out on the all-terrain tyres fitted to the US-market Rogue Rock Creek, with the local specification instead closely matching that of the X-Trail Rock Creek sold in Japan.

There are also gloss-black mirror caps, black roof rails, Rock Creek tailgate badging in orange and black, and an orange Nissan badge on the tailgate.

The orange-and-black theme continues inside, with orange stitching on the standard leather upholstery, and an orange Nissan logo on the leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Along with its unique styling, the Rock Creek gains a 10.8-inch head-up display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, replacing the standard 7.0-inch display, while retaining the ST-L's standard equipment list.

This already includes 10-way power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control and an Around View Monitor, all added as part of an X-Trail update earlier this year.

Power comes from an unchanged 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine producing 135kW of power and 244Nm of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive. Combined fuel consumption is 7.4L/100km.

The Rock Creek will arrive alongside new front-wheel drive e-Power variants.

Nissan Australia introduced its unique e-Power hybrid system on the X-Trail, its best-selling model, in 2022, but until now the electrified powertrain has only been offered with all-wheel drive.

The addition of a front-wheel drive ST-L e-Power, priced from $45,990 before on-road costs, lowers the entry point to the hybrid range by $3090 compared with the previous starting price.

The new front-wheel drive e-Power range mirrors the AWD lineup, with ST-L, Ti and Ti-L grades available with equivalent equipment levels.

Nissan claims the front-drive e-Power variants consume 11.5 per cent less fuel than their AWD counterparts, reducing claimed combined fuel use from 6.4L/100km to 5.4L/100km.

CO2 emissions also fall, from 139g/km to 123g/km, providing a modest benefit under Australia's New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), introduced in 2025.

"Expanding e-Power hybrid to front-wheel drive opens the technology to more buyers at a more accessible price, with the lower running costs that come with it," Mr Milette said.

"Hybrid has become the powertrain of choice in the medium SUV segment, and a two-wheel drive e-Power X-Trail puts us exactly where the strongest demand is."

MORE: Explore the Nissan X-Trail showroom