How this car brand has turned itself around: Nissan bounces back on the resurgence of X-Trail e-Power hybrid as an alternative to the Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

Nissan’s comeback is in full swing.

The Japanese brand has bounced back after a horror few years of local sales.

Nissan’s sales are up more than 43 per cent through the first seven months of this year. It has sold more than 28,000 vehicles in 2024, which puts it in ninth spot overall after tumbling out of the top 10 in 2022.

Nissan Oceania Vice President and Managing Director, Andrew Humberstone said there were several things driving the increase.

"We have worked closely with our international colleagues to ensure strong supply across our range. Customers are now able to secure their preferred Nissan vehicle with minimal waiting times across our entire dealer network," he said

Leading the charge for Nissan is the X-Trail mid-size SUV that has increased sales by 77 per cent so far this year.

Nissan's X-Trail is riding the wave of hybrid popularity and Humberstone said Nissan's e-Power hybrids made up about 30 per cent of sales.

"We are seeing more and more Australians understand the unique benefits of this electrified powertrain and how it is ideal for the Australian lifestyle," said Humberstone.

Toyota switched its entire range of hatchbacks, sedans and soft-roader SUVs to hybrid only after record demand.

The Navara dual-cab ute has grown sales by almost 50 per cent, the Juke small SUV is up more than 71 per cent and the Qashqai compact SUV has chipped in with an extra 540 sales in 2024.

Even the ageing Patrol large four-wheel drive is selling well with a jump of about 38 per cent. This is despite its replacement due next year.

What could be helping boost the Patrol’s popularity is the next-gen model is expected to ditch the trusted 5.6-litre V8 turbodiesel motor found in the current versions in favour of 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 that makes a whopping 336kW and 698Nm. This is a jump of 38kW and 138Nm over the old V8.

It’ll be matched with a new nine-speed automatic transmission, too.

The Toyota LandCruiser experienced a similar sales boom when the former 200 Series and its V8 were about to be replaced by the current 300 Series and its twin-turbo V6.

The Nissan Pathfinder large SUV isn't faring too well either. It's sales are down 60 per cent this year.

Nissan's Pathfinder is hamstrung by its lack of hybrid power, which families are increasingly demanding as they make the transition to EVs eventually.

The news isn’t so good on the electric car front for Nissan.

The Ariya mid-size electric SUV is locked out of Australia as it doesn’t meet Australian Design Rules. The company is refusing to amend the changes and wants the government to allow vehicles that comply with European standards to be sold in Australia.

Nissan has also finished production of its pioneering Leaf electric hatchback at its UK Sunderland plant.

It is believed the next-gen Leaf will return as an electric SUV sometime in 2025.

Humberstone hinted that more is coming and the company has a plan for the future.

"We have a clear roadmap to an exciting future and will continue to focus on ensuring that our award-winning Nissan vehicles are perfectly suited to Australian customers." he said.