The new Nissan NX8 isn’t what we’ve come to expect from the Japanese brand’s electric cars.
First, it’s not Japanese – it’s a product of the brand’s partnership with Dongfeng in China. It’ll also be built there, which means it could be more affordable than other EVs from the brand.
And it’s a bit more ‘mainstream’ in its approach, too – in a very “Chinese EV” kind of way. It’s not like the Ariya, and nothing like the Leaf, and that could be to its advantage.
I got to spend a very short amount of time in the NX8 during a Nissan event in Japan, ahead of a likely Australian release before the end of next year – read on for more.
Note: This review primarily contains marketing imagery, as access to images from the first drive event was limited.
How much does the Nissan NX8 cost?
This car isn’t even confirmed for the Aussie market officially – though it’ll be here at the end of 2027, in all likelihood.
Pricing and specification levels are expected to be high, likely to give the likes of the Zeekr 7X and Tesla Model Y a run for their money, not to mention the stacked Mazda CX-6e.
Nissan will be eager to conquest sales from rivals in the EV SUV space, so a sharp starting price – below $60,000 – is almost certain.
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What is the Nissan NX8 like on the inside?
I had literally less than 20 minutes with the NX8, so this might be more of a brief overview of the cabin, rather than a deep dive – but I tell you what, it certainly left an impression.
The interior design isn’t what I’d describe as unfamiliar for an electric SUV from China, with a Hyundai Elexio-like twin-screen panel across the centre and passenger sections, two-tone trimming and some flashy flourishes.
But I was impressed by the cream, grey and rose-gold trim elements, not to mention the rib-like contours on the door panels and the material quality throughout the cabin. Frankly, it feels more audacious than an Ariya, more extreme than an X-Trail, and importantly, it makes you feel as though you’re sitting in something special.
The seats are very comfortable and highly adjustable, and while I didn’t get a chance to sample the apparently AI-powered system that can adjust the seat specifically to your body’s size, shape, contour and comfort requirements, it was cushy and comfy anyway. Furthermore, there’s a big glass roof and thankfully it comes with an electrically retractable shade.
Storage is well sorted throughout, with adjustable cupholders between the front seats; a big storage area below the bridge-type centre console; large bottle holders in the doors; and under the centre armrest is the fridge/freezer compartment, which could keep your meat pie warm or your Eskimo Pie cold, with temperature adjustment between -6°C and +55°C.
The glaring omission from the cabin is any of the buttons you might be hoping for. There are touch controls for the climate system – not knobs or dials – and even airflow direction is adjusted on-screen. There are buttons on the doors, though – they’re automatic, so you needn’t push the door out, and likewise you can have it close itself too, if you want.
The rear seat experience is on another level. It is worth noting that this is larger than an X-Trail by some margin (dimensions below), and with the driver’s seat set to my preferred position at 182cm/6’0”, I had inches of room ahead of my knees, overhead, and lots of foot space too, courtesy of the flat floor.
The seat is opulently appointed as well, with electric recline adjustment, a massage function that will sort out those knots in your back, as well as outer seat heating and ventilation, too. The requisite bottle and cupholders are present and accounted for, not to mention USB-C charging ports, directional rear air vents, storage pockets, and a flip-down table behind the passenger.
The boot is another spacious spot, with a massive 773 litres of claimed cargo capacity, and underfloor storage for cables and a tyre repair kit. In the NX8 EV, by virtue of it being rear-wheel drive, there’s a ‘frunk’ or ‘front boot’ under the bonnet, offering up additional storage to the tune of 95 litres.
| Dimensions | Nissan NX8 |
|---|---|
| Length | 4870mm |
| Width | 2917mm |
| Height | 1920mm |
| Wheelbase | 1680mm |
| Cargo capacity | 773L – Boot 95L – Frunk |
What’s under the bonnet?
The Nissan NX8 is available with range-extender (REEV) and battery electric (BEV) powertrains, and while we’re likely to get the EV as a priority, a two-prong approach can’t be ruled out yet.
| Specifications | NX8 BEV | NX8 REEV |
|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electric | Single-motor range-extender hybrid |
| Battery | 81kWh LFP | 43.2kWh LFP |
| Power | 250kW | 195kW |
| Torque | 310Nm | 310Nm |
| Drive type | RWD | RWD |
| Claimed range– CLTC | 630km | 310km |
| Max DC charge rate | 463kW | 270kW |
Those charging rates are monstrous, with the CATL-sourced battery capable of 5C fast charging. No EV chargers in Australia currently offer 463kW capability, but there will be ultra-charging solutions offered by some brands soon.
How does the Nissan NX8 drive?
The signs are good based on our brief drive experience – again though, this was a limited test, with just one lap of the Grandrive test facility outside Tokyo.
Even so, with a few slower corners, a couple of lumps and bumps in the surface, it felt as though the NX8 doesn’t stray too far from the expected approach in China-built EV SUVs, with more of a focus on comfort than anything else.
That’s both for the occupants – thanks to the electronic adaptive damper system that incorporates an anti-motion sickness system that is said to reduce the amount of ‘head toss’ and body wobble when the vehicle changes direction or accelerates quickly – and for the driver, with soft and easy-feeling steering that likely won’t offer the directness and delight of the more enthusiastic handlers in the segment.
On that topic, it doesn’t feel as lightning fast as other electric cars in this class, probably because it doesn’t have the same amount of power and torque as some of the benchmarks.
However, my impression was that it was measured in its acceleration, as the Ariya is, and still responded smartly when in Sport mode and with a firmer foot.
There’s the requisite regenerative braking system with multiple settings too, though I didn’t get much of a chance to play with it, nor was there much call for the actual brakes on my very short jaunt around the track.
A brief experience it may have been, but it seems like this one would sit nicely in its own position among the EV pack in Australia.
What do you get?
Australian specifications aren’t confirmed, but here are some of the highlights of the model I tested in Japan.
2026 Nissan NX8 equipment highlights:
- LED headlights
- LED tail lights
- Configurable light signatures
- 20-inch alloy wheels,
- Automatic doors – open/close
- Electric tailgate
- ‘AI Zero Gravity Seat 2.0’ incl. 25 massage, support airbags
- ‘Motion sickness prevention technology 3.0’
- Front seat heating, ventilation, massage
- Rear seat heating, ventilation, massage
- Electric front seat adjustment
- Electric rear seat recline adjustment
- Onboard refrigerator/freezer – -6°C to 55°C
- Dual 15.6-inch displays
- 10.25-inch instrument cluster
- 63-inch AR head-up display with blind-spot monitor projection
- Qualcomm 8295P chip
- 25-speaker audio system – 2000W output
- AI-powered voice interaction across four zones
Exact details for any Australian version of the NX8 that might eventuate are still to be confirmed, though it’s highly unlikely that we would get the configurable exterior lighting system offered in China.
Australian Design Rules (ADRs) mean that there are strict requirements for lighting, and the customisable LED signatures offered in the NX8 would not likely meet such rules.
Is the Nissan NX8 safe?
See that little bump on the roof? That’s the LiDAR system, which is highly advanced and offers “Level 2++” autonomy, according to Nissan.
But, as with the lights, the LiDAR won’t likely be part of the package we get in Australia, again due to ADRs.
However, you can bet on a gamut of active safety systems, including autonomous emergency braking with vehicle, obstacle, pedestrian, cyclist and motorcyclist detection; not to mention adaptive cruise control with intelligent assistance that will be able to abide by speed limits, and do most of the arduous stuff on your highway commute, like stopping, starting, and steering (to a degree).
There’s a rich mix of cameras around the vehicle, with a terrific surround-view monitor. Self-parking tech with ‘full scenario’ capability is also fitted.
There’s also an absolutely brilliant head-up display which incorporates not only your speed info and directions but it can also display a blind-spot camera view in your line of sight – similar to the Kia and Hyundai Blind-Spot View Monitor, but projected onto the windscreen rather than down on the driver info display.
How much does the Nissan NX8 cost to run?
Those details are a ways away, but if you look at Nissan’s current ownership program, it could be a very appealing prospect indeed.
The brand has a standard five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty in Australia, but if you service with the company’s dealer network that can be extended out to 10 years or 300,000km – whichever comes first.
Battery warranty is expected to meet market standards of at least eight years and 160,000km, with a 70 or 75 per cent state of health guarantee.
Nissan Australia also offers up to 10 years or 300,000km of roadside assistance to customers who service their car with the brand. As for servicing, if we use the Ariya EV as a guide, 12 months and 20,000km seem likely for the set intervals.
CarExpert’s Take on the Nissan NX8
The NX8 is crucial, Nissan needs it – but the big question might be whether ‘late-2027’ will be too late.
This part of the market is moving faster than any other – that’s the reality – and the NX8 could form an absolutely critical part of the brand’s renaissance in our market… if it arrives soon enough.
Let us know in the comments if you think the Nissan NX8 would be a good fit in Australia.
Click the images for the full gallery
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