Nissan NX8 Extended-Range Version Road Test: A New Family-Car Solution Under 'Reverse Joint Venture'

Design: Purple Paint + Floating Silhouette — Understated Yet Purposefully Practical

The 2026 Nissan NX8 extended-range version retains the brand's signature design language: a wide chrome grille strip paired with split LED headlights, a low-slung front end, and a sleek fastback SUV profile. This lowers the visual center of gravity, delivering a sense of stable yet dynamic presence. Our test unit wears a deep purple finish — parked on TownCar streets, it exudes quiet sophistication: not flashy, yet instantly recognizable. This isn't the aggressive stance of a sporty SUV; rather, it's a rational, family-focused aesthetic calibrated precisely for mainstream buyers.

Powertrain: 1.5T Range Extender + 195 kW Motor — The Real Surprise Is Its Charge-Sustaining Behavior

The NX8 extended-range variant pairs a 1.5T range extender with a rear-mounted drive motor. System output isn't officially disclosed, but the motor alone delivers 195 kW. It's mated to a 43.2 kWh battery pack, with an official 0–100 km/h sprint time of 7.6 seconds. While specs avoid performance-labeling, real-world driving impresses: responsive low-speed acceleration, linear throttle mapping, and relaxed stop-and-go traffic flow in TownCar. What truly stands out is its seamless charge-sustaining behavior — the range extender fires up smoothly and quietly, with no intrusive noise or vibration entering the cabin, and zero power delivery lag. It feels nothing like the 'power drop-off' common in many extended-range EVs.

Yet the chassis tuning is the car's biggest point of divergence: it completely abandons Nissan's traditional 'big sofa' soft-yet-resilient approach. Steering is light but imprecise; small-bump absorption feels stiff; road imperfections transmit directly over potholes. Overall, it leans toward the taut, communicative setup typical of German family SUVs. This 'rebellious' character may require adjustment for buyers prioritizing pure comfort.

Intelligence: Momenta R6 Urban Navigation Available — Highway Lane Changes Still Require Caution

For intelligent driving, the NX8 extended-range version features Momenta's R6 AI driving model, supporting urban navigation-assisted driving (NOA). In testing, it handled complex intersections, traffic-light recognition, and adaptive following/braking logic confidently — braking rhythms felt natural and aligned well with daily commuting expectations. On expressways, however, its lane-change decision-making lags slightly when detecting fast-approaching vehicles from behind, posing potential risk. Drivers should remain fully engaged at all times. This feature sits firmly in the 'usable but not fully trustworthy' stage — with ongoing OTA updates promising further refinement.

Space & Features: Genuine Five-Seater Spaciousness, With a Cabin Cooler as the Highlight

Interior space is the NX8 extended-range version's strongest suit. Rear seats offer generous cushion length and wide recline angles, plus standard ventilation/heating/massage and physical sunshades. Even with second-row seats fully reclined, the trunk accommodates two folded bicycles plus a stroller — practicality far exceeding segment peers. The interior sports a narrow-bezel dual-screen layout; infotainment responsiveness and feature depth match leading new-energy brands. Voice recognition is quick and accurate; Apple CarPlay comes standard.

The entire vehicle features AI Cloud Blanket adaptive seats — using multi-sensor input to dynamically adjust air-cushion support. Magnetic mounting points flank the center console for accessory expansion. Most notably: a standard -6°C to 50°C vehicle-mounted cooler/warmer — compact in size, yet a tangible upgrade to year-round travel comfort.

Pricing & Options: Three Streamlined Packages — The Cooler Is the Must-Have

Gone are the earlier days of overwhelming option lists. The NX8 extended-range version now offers just three practical add-on packages: a ¥7,000 panoramic audio-visual package (25-speaker system + 63-inch AR-HUD), a ¥2,000 vehicle-mounted cooler/warmer, and a ¥5,000 20-inch Michelin e.PRIMACY tire package. Among them, the cooler/warmer is strongly recommended — it delivers outsized quality-of-life gains for just ¥2,000. The AR-HUD is intuitive but non-essential; the Michelin tires improve ride refinement and noise suppression over the standard 19-inch Linglong SPORT MASTER units — if budget allows, upgrading makes sense.

Conclusion: Not a 'Nissan-Flavored' Nissan — But Today's Most Pragmatic Extended-Range Family SUV

The Dongfeng Nissan NX8 extended-range version doesn't replicate classic Japanese comfort formulas. Instead, it's a deliberate reimagining — grounded in China's supply chain strengths and evolving family needs. With class-leading space, dependable charge-sustaining performance, usable urban NOA, and a standard cabin cooler, it directly addresses core family priorities: zero range anxiety, elevated daily livability, and uncompromising practicality. Its controversial chassis tuning isn't a flaw — it's proof of intent to break free from templated expectations. If you're seeking an extended-range SUV that avoids gimmicks, refuses compromise, and genuinely serves life — not just specs — the NX8 extended-range version deserves top billing on your 2026 test-drive list.