1977 Nissan Homer Reviews

LDV is set to muscle in on the rapidly-expanding plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) ute segment in Australia with a two-pronged strategy covering all bases and budgets.Unveiled in Beijing late last month, the T70 PHEV and Terron 9 PHEV are both expected to land locally sometime next year, though importer Ateco Automotive has yet to confirm this.The cheaper of the two will be the T70 PHEV. As a substantial update of the existing, 10-year-old T60 ute (it may retain the old name for Australia), it is expected to match and even undercut other similarly-electrified dual-cab utes also from China.These include the just-announced JAC Hunter PHEV that starts from $50,000 before on-road costs, the GWM Cannon PHEV that is due in Australia from August with pricing yet to be confirmed, as well as the as-yet-unnamed Chery ‘KP31’ that is being prepared for launch in a few months.Meanwhile, the Terron 9 PHEV will be the more-premium choice, taking on the BYD Shark 6 PHEV that kicks off from $57,990 before on-road costs in Premium grade (though a recently-released Cab Chassis version costs $2000 less).GWM’s larger second ute option, the Cannon Alpha PHEV that starts from $61,490 drive-away in base Lux guise, as well as the coming Nissan Frontier Pro PHEV, may also be in the larger LDV PHEV’s crosshairs.In contrast, Australia’s best-selling vehicle over the past two years, the Ford Ranger, is not even in the hunt against these Chinese alternatives, with the PHEV (imported from South Africa instead of Thailand like the rest of the range) commencing from $71,990 before on-road costs in XLT specification, soaring to $86,990 for the Stormtrak flagship.Despite anticipated sharp pricing, the LDV’s powertrain promises to be advanced, combining a petrol engine and an electric motor to offer both mechanical and electric four-wheel-drive capability.Other PHEV details, including powertrain outputs, battery size and range, will be revealed at a later stage.So, what are the other changes to the latest, facelifted T60/T70 series?More than just a makeover, it appears that almost every exterior panel is new from the windscreen forward and the rear window-back, including the sheetmetal and nose cone.And while the basic centre section carries over, the interior has also come in for a complete redesign, with its restyled dashboard incorporating a sizeable central touchscreen/instrumentation display, mimicking that of the Terron 9.Speaking of which, the latter is also set to donate its 163kW/520Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine to the smaller ute, replacing the 160kW/500Nm 2.0-litre unit as found in the existing T60 in Australia. Whether the same power and torque outputs also carry through is not known at this stage.The coming PHEV is not the first electrified LDV ute to be sold in Australia.The existing T60 has gone down in history as the first ute to offer a battery electric vehicle (EV) option as the eT60 back in 2022.But stratospheric pricing (from nearly $100,000), rear-drive only (so no 4x4 availability) and low carrying capacity scuppered any chance of success, leading to the EV's discontinuation in 2024. That failure seems to have also delayed the eTerron 9 EV indefinitely.LDV is unlikely to make the same mistakes with either the Terron 9 PHEV or T60/T70 PHEV if/when they get the green light for Australia.Watch this space.

Nissan globally revealed the new-generation version of its X-Trail mid-size family SUV earlier this month.The X-Trail has been the most-popular Nissan model in Australia for a number of years now and is a key rival to the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage, among others.The current-generation model, which shares its platform with the Mitsubishi Outlander, dates back to 2021 though it didn’t launch in Australia until 2022.A facelift was revealed globally in 2025 though it only arrived in Australia a few months ago.Nissan still needs to confirm a number of different details about the new, fifth-generation X-Trail, but here’s what we know so far.What is different about this new X-Trail?It’s worth noting straight away that this new X-Trail is based on an iteration of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance CMF-CD platform that underpins the current model.It also appears that the glasshouse has been carried over but with new body cladding and styling.However, Nissan Corporate Executive of Family, Products & Components Strategy Richard Candler told CarsGuide that there is a “very large amount of new”.For example, the structure is claimed to be completely different and much stiffer than before.Additionally there is a completely reworked suspension system with a wider track width. Nissan hasn’t confirmed exactly how much wider just yet.It’s likely the interior is also completely redesigned, though Nissan hasn’t detailed any imagery or information about this yet. It has only shown off the exterior design so far.What will power this new X-Trail?A highlight of this new X-Trail is the introduction of a new-generation e-Power hybrid powertrain.It’s understood this new e-Power powertrain is a version of the system that will soon debut in the Qashqai small SUV.Like the current X-Trail e-Power however, it’ll have dual electric motors (one on each axle) providing all-wheel drive, unlike the Qashqai e-Power which only has a single electric motor and front-wheel drive.Nissan claims this new e-Power hybrid is quieter, smoother and more fuel efficient than the current version.While there have been reports indicating that this new X-Trail will go e-Power only, Candler confirmed it will still be offered with a pure petrol engine, at least globally. However, he didn’t confirm what this pure petrol engine will be exactly.In Australia the non-e-Power X-Trail is powered by a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 135kW and 244Nm.In other markets however, there is a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine available that produces 150kW and 305Nm.It’s worth noting though that this turbo three-pot forms as the generator for the e-Power hybrid, so technically it is already offered in Australia.When will it arrive?The new Nissan X-Trail will likely launch in North America first, where it is called the Rogue and built in the US.The Japanese-built X-Trails will likely follow at a later date.No exact Australian launch timing has been locked in yet, however CarsGuide understands it will likely arrive in late 2027.

For those of you who are looking to buy a new car but aren’t looking at an EV yet, we’ve put together a list of our top-five popular cars that run on the cheapest kind of petrol.Yep, there’s a lot of pressure right now to buy an electric car and avoid high petrol prices.But if you’re not ready for an EV and want to stick to petrol, there’s a way to still save money: buying a car which doesn’t need more expensive premium fuel.Premium fuel such as 95 RON or 98 RON is always more expensive than 91 RON, but with petrol prices so high right now any saving is good.At the time of writing, 91 RON was averaging 200c/litre, while 98 RON was 223c/litre. Filling up a 60L tank with 91 RON is currently $120 while 98 RON will set you back $133.80. So currently there’s about a $14 difference between 91 RON and 98 RON for an average-sized fuel tank. If you’re filling up once a week, that’s about $730 a year.For all we know, prices could go up more and depending on the situation and where our fuel is sourced from, so the gap between higher- and lower-grade fuels could expand.Yes, there’s 95 RON, but that is still more expensive than 91 RON.So, we’ve handpicked five of Australia's best-selling cars that don’t need premium unleaded and instead can run on a minimum of 91 RON. Hyundai’s Kona is a small SUV that comes in three variants – a pure petrol, a series-parallel hybrid and a fully electric. You’ll be happy to know both the pure petrol and hybrid petrol cars only need 91 RON.Fuel efficiency in the hybrid is excellent at 3.9L/100km over a combination of different driving conditions.The hybrid is offered across the entire range, which is great to see.The entry price into the Kona range is $33,700 plus on-road costs.GWM’s Haval Jolion is another small SUV, which is a little larger than the Hyundai Kona, but it also comes in pure petrol and series-parallel hybrid, both of which needing just 91 RON.The hybrid's combined fuel consumption is 5.1L/100km.It’s fantastic to see that the hybrid is offered right across the Jolion range.The entry grade in the Jolion range costs $26,990 drive-away.One of the original mid-size SUVs, the Nissan X-Trail in this latest generation is a superb family car that is offered in petrol and series hybrid variants.Now the pure petrol versions need only 91 RON. Nissan says the hybrids need a minimum of 91 RON, but 95 RON is recommended.Of course, you should follow the manufacturers advice here to ensure your X-Trail lives a long and happy life, but it’s good to know that 91 RON will do if you’re in a pickle.The other good news is that you really don’t need to step up to the more expensive hybrid to save fuel.The hybrid is fuel efficient at 6.0L/100km, but the regular petrol will use 6.1-6.5L/100km depending on the grade.  The entry grade of the Nissan X-Trail range lists for $38,140 plus on-road costs.The Mitsubishi Outlander is another mid-size SUV icon and comes in two variants – a pure petrol and a plug-in series-parallel hybrid (PHEV).Nissan says both the pure petrol version and PHEV need only 91 RON, which is a nice surprise.Fuel consumption in the PHEV is outrageously good at 1.5L/100km in combined driving conditions, but seriously you’ll have to charge it regularly to get this – and I mean every day.The combined consumption of the regular pure petrol Outlander ranges from 7.5-8.1L/100km depending on the grade.The entry grade in the Outlander range starts at a list price of $39,990 plus on-road costs.Chery’s little Tiggo 4 SUV is the smallest car in our selection (about a match-stick shorter than the Kona) and comes in both pure petrol and series-parallel hybrid form.The 1.5-litre turbo-petrol, however, isn’t as fuel efficient as you might think in this not-so-big SUV. The combined fuel consumption according to Chery is 7.4L/100km. But the hybrid variant is much better with 5.4L/100km .The entry price into the Tiggo 4 range is $23,990 drive-away. 

Two new Nissan plug-in hybrids have been unveiled at the Auto China 2026 show in Beijing, one with an off-road bent and the other destined for the city.The Nissan Urban SUV PHEV Concept is fairly self-explanatory, but it’s the Terrano PHEV Concept that is sure to draw interest from Nissan fans.Both are due to be put into production within a year, with the Terrano “intended for selected global markets”.The Terrano nameplate will be familiar to many as the predecessor to the Nissan Pathfinder and SUV sibling to the Navara, and this new concept seems to have similar intentions.As a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV, the Terrano departs from its roots, seemingly as an SUV sibling to the new Nissan Frontier Pro.No concrete details have been confirmed aside from its PHEV status and its exterior design, but chances are it’ll have something like the Frontier Pro’s 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and electric motor, together good for “over 300kW of power and up to 800Nm”.Nissan says the “Terrano builds on Nissan's off-road heritage while addressing the dual needs of outdoor adventure and urban commuting”.True to this, Nissan’s concept for the SUV sits on particularly rugged off-road tyres and features roof racks with a side ladder, chunky side-steps, and a big spare tyre on the rear.Given Nissan Australia’s seemingly receptive approach to the Frontier Pro, the Terrano is a chance for the future.The Urban SUV PHEV Concept is, however, seemingly a China-only proposition at the moment, with the brand saying it’s “designed for young Chinese customers”.“Its design draws from philosophies of the NX8 and Nissan’s future SUV lineup, blending advanced electrification technology with urban daily driving performance.”There’s less indication for the details on this one, but Nissan says it also intends to launch “three additional NEV models in China within a year” as well as sending other new Chinese-built models like the N7 sedan and NX8 SUV to global markets.“China plays two distinct and important roles as Nissan’s three lead markets, alongside Japan and the United States,” says the brand in a statement.“First, China serves as a strong domestic market, delivering clear and compelling value for Chinese customers. Second, it functions as a global innovation and export hub, leveraging China’s innovation and speed to develop competitive technologies and products globally.”

The all-new Mitsubishi Pajero hasn't even arrived yet, and already competition in the off-road space is heating up, with Nissan at last confirming an SUV version of the Frontier Pro SUV that will put a target on the back of 4WDs in Australia.The question is, is the Nissan product about to beat Mitsubishi at its own game?Mitsubishi largely pioneered plug-in hybrid technology in Australia, but the brand has previously ruled out adapting the technology for its diesel engines. Instead, all reports point to the incoming Pajero – which is expected to use the Triton as its base – using the powertrain from the brand's ute.That means 2.4-litre bi-turbo diesel engine and eight-speed automatic, though some reports point to a plug-in hybrid petrol powertrain also being under development. Nissan, though, is set to abandon diesel, with the ute version of the Frontier Pro adopting a plug-in hybrid powertrain that would make the SUV version among the most powerful vehicles in its class.Its 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and a transmission-mounted electric motor produce up to 320kW and 800Nm combined.The concept version of the SUV is to be revealed at the Beijing Auto Show, seemingly answering the question of what our market might receive in answer to the US-built (and V6-powered) Xterra.Built in partnership with Dongfeng, the SUV is reportedly built on what the group calls its Star Core platform, which can be paired with ICE, hybrid and EV powertrain options.The Frontier Pro looks set to soon be locked in for our market, with the reports pointing to an early 2027 launch date. If so, that would make the SUV version – which is being developed for export markets – a sure starter for Australia, too.Will diesel or plug-in power win the battle between Nissan and the new Pajero? Only time will tell.

A cut-price 'badass' new four-wheel drive is drawing near.Nissan has confirmed its new Xterra 4WD, which Nissan America boss Christian Meunier labelled “badass” on social media.Word is the Japanese brand is targeting a sub-$40,000 price tag in the US, or circa-$56,000 in Aussie dollars.Nissan has promised the Xterra will be a no-nonsense 4WD, which will be underpinned by a ladder frame to boost off-road performance.“The Xterra represents the DNA of Nissan: affordable, durable and high quality,” Meunier told Automotive News.“We don’t want to over-engineer it and make it overly complicated or expensive.“We’re going to give our Nissan customers everything they need, nothing they don’t,” he said.It’ll likely use V6 petrol or V6 hybrid power. This will be different from the brand’s 'e-Power' hybrid technology found in the Qashqai and X-Trail SUVs, which use the engine purely as a generator to charge the battery while electric motors drive the wheels.Bad news is it will be built in the US for the North American market, at least for now.It is based on the US-market Frontier ute, which is different from our Navara and the coming China-sourced Frontier Pro dual-cabs.But that’s not the end of the story. CarsGuide understands the Chinese-market Frontier Pro will feed a similar 4WD SUV for Asia-Pacific markets.This means Australia should still get a chunky off-roader to challenge the Toyota Prado and incoming Mitsubishi Pajero.It would pack plug-in hybrid punch, with a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-petrol engine and an electric motor combo producing 300kW and 800Nm.This would put it on a collision course with BYD’s new Denza B5 4WD.

Nissan is edging closer towards installing solid-state batteries in its electric vehicles, according to reports. The brand is apparently targeting mass production of the batteries by the end of the 2028 financial year. Solid-state batteries are seen as the next big breakthrough for electric vehicles, offering significantly higher energy density than conventional batteries. They can achieve far greater driving range in a smaller package, making them the perfect technology for electric cars. They are also expected to be less fire prone and have faster charging capacity.Nissan’s solid-state battery is said to have 23 layers of cells, highlighting further development on its 2025 announcement that its prototype had reached the performance needed for commercialisation. There are no details yet on the specifics of the battery, but it is anticipated to be in line with other rivals, which boast driving ranges of more than 1000km. The brand also unveiled its new bidirectional charging infrastructure, which is expected to be made available to market in 2028. Bidirectional charges enable the power to be transferred from an electric car to the owner’s home, and that electricity can be pushed back into the grid.According to Nissan, its example “can be supplied at a very low cost”, with ambitions to facilitate owners selling the surplus power to the grid as soon as 2030. Nissan will develop a specialist platform to accommodate this technology. It still remains unclear whether solid-state batteries will take over the EV landscape, with some brands more receptive to the technology than others.One of the key roadblocks to commercial uptake of solid-state batteries has been the costs of producing the batteries.  Chinese brands have been leading the way on solid-state technology, with both BYD and Chery announcing recent developments. BYD aims to have small-batch production of its batteries by 2027, while Chery is planning to release two models under its Exeed sub-brand before the end of next year.

Nissan is still on the road to financial recovery and it’s looking for ways to strategically beef up its model line-up, especially as emission regulations crunch, without adding more complexity and cost.The Japanese carmaker already has a long-standing relationship with Dongfeng to produce Nissan models for the Chinese market.Highlight models include the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute, N7 large battery electric (EV) sedan, N6 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sedan, as well as the recently launched NX8 EV and range-extender (REEV) SUV among others.As a result, Nissan is looking to export these Chinese-produced vehicles to a number of markets and Australia could very soon be on the menu. For our market the Frontier Pro and N7 have been earmarked, followed by the NX8.Nothing is confirmed, but we got the chance to drive the Chinese-specification Nissan N6, N7 and NX8 on a closed test track in Japan.First let’s discuss the NX8, which is the newest of the bunch. While it’s offered with EV and REEV (Range Extender Electric Vehicle) powertrains in China, we were only able to sample the former.It’s powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor that produces 250kW and 310Nm that’s fed by an 81kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. It’s worth noting a smaller 73kWh battery pack is also offered.Claimed range in the model tested is up to 630km, according to lenient CLTC testing. The battery operates on an 800V electrical architecture, allowing a 10 to 80 per cent charge in only 12 minutes.While the NX8 is around the same size as the Pathfinder, which has been axed locally, it only offers five seats. This means there’s plenty of space inside including a sizable boot.A main focus of this large SUV is tech. There is a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster that is complimented by a dual 15.6-inch touchscreens – one in the centre and another for the front passenger.There’s also plenty of flashy bling on the outside, highlighted mainly by the bold lighting signatures that are dynamic and can change. It’s a cool touch but I doubt this would be offered in Australia.While it was hard to get a proper read on the NX8’s driving dynamics on our one-lap test drive, it’s clear this car is aimed at China. It has an isolated cabin feel with soft suspension and light steering.However, Nissan claims this car is focused on offering dynamics and with 250kW/310Nm it has enough punch to get along at a decent pace.Next up is the N7, which was the first model to be based on the so-called 'Tianyan' architecture. Compared to the NX8, however, the N7 is powered by a single, front-mounted electric motor that produces 200kW and 305Nm.This is fed by a 73kWh LFP battery that allows for a claimed range of 625km, according to lenient CLTC testing. A smaller 58kWh LFP battery and less-powerful motor combination is also offered in China.Like the NX8, the N7 has a clean design with flashy tech inside and out. It’s clearly identifiable as Chinese due to the ultra-minimal look and lack of physical switchgear.Driving this electric sedan it similarly feels isolated inside the cabin and even on middle undulations requires a number of body movements to settle. If the N7 does come to Australia it will likely require some form of suspension re-tune to handle our rougher roads.Lastly there’s the N6 PHEV sedan which is arguably the ugly duckling of the trio. It’s the most affordable model of the trio in China. Its starting price is ¥94,900 (~A$19,400) – and it looks like it from the outside.While the N7 and NX8 have at least some form of edge and presence in terms of design, the N6’s silhouette is rather plain with no defined character. One element that adds to this is the small wheels not filling the wheel arches properly. It cheapens the look.From a driving perspective, the N6’s focus is efficiency. It features a PHEV powertrain marrying together a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor that’s fed by a 21.1kWh LFP battery.Nissan claims this allows for up to 180km of electric range and once you run out of charge you’ll achieve 2.79L/100km, both according to lenient CLTC. We’ll have to wait and see whether these figures are accurate in the real world.The majority of driving in the N6 is done by the electric motor, however from around 50-60km/h in hybrid mode, the petrol engine turns on the assist. While you can’t feel it turn on, its presence can be heard in the cabin.Like the N7 and NX8, the driving experience in the N6 is floaty and distinctly Chinese-feeling. It’s made worse as the skinny Linglong tyres screech easily in the bends.While Nissan hasn’t officially confirmed any of these Chinese-made models for Australia just yet, they can’t come soon enough.The Japanese carmaker currently only offers one EV in Australia, the Ariya mid-size SUV. It has indefinitely delayed the introduction of the new-generation Leaf small electric SUV and there are no plans to launch the new, European-focused Juke EV.This leaves Nissan stuck between a rock and a hard place as the brand is already facing fines of over $10 million thanks to the Australian government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), which penalises carmakers for selling vehicles producing emissions in excess of CO2 targets which become stricter every year.Hopefully Nissan can make a decision on whether to introduce at least some of these EV or PHEV models soon as many legacy carmakers are ramping up their EV and PHEV offerings Down Under to reduce their fleet CO2 emissions.If these Chinese-made Nissans do launch locally, pricing will be a key factor as many Chinese brands are highly competitive in this space.For now, however, watch this space.

Nissan is pledging 'badass is back' with its new Xterra 4WD, with the V6-powered off-road-ready SUV pledging a return to pared-back simplicity in the segment.That's the word from the Chairman of Nissan Americas, Christian Meunier, who posted a teaser image of the new Xterra to socials with the simple caption "badass is back."Launching as a proper ladder-frame SUV that will share its ute underpinnings with the Frontier ute, the Xterra would promise to offer a real point of difference in the 4WD space, with the brand expected to roll out a choice of V6 petrol or V6 hybrid, and no four-cylinder option. That's the engine line-up in the States, at least.In Australia, the vision is a little more clouded. While not officially ruled out, the Xterra is being built in the USA, where it will also underpin the next-generation of America's ute, which means getting this game-changing 4WD in Australia might prove challenging.But hope is not lost. CarsGuide understands that, while the Xterra will feed a Frontier in the USA, the Chinese-market Frontier Pro will feed a similar 4WD SUV for Asia-Pacific markets, which suggests a version of the Xterra, or something similar, is on the cards for us.And despite the fact that a V6-powered anything is unlikely in Australia these days, power in our China-derived version won't be a problem. The vehicle it will be based on, the Frontier Pro ute, combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor to produce a total 300kW and 800Nm. It should also prove something of a bargain, given the cheapest PHEV variant of the Frontier Pro will be offered with launch pricing of just 219,900 yuan in China, or the equivalent of just over $47,000 AUD.The new vehicle is being developed under the code name S20 PHEV SUV, and given Nissan Australia's deepening relationship with the brand's Chinese joint venture, that model is a much better chance to launch in our market.Confirmation of the Frontier Pro ute for Australia is expected imminently, while reports suggest the SUV version is being specifically developed for international markets.

Nissan has teased a new off-road SUV to be built in China as a new global model, essentially confirming an SUV version of its well-received Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid ute.