This model’s shape is somewhat reminiscent of the Infiniti QX65.The Urban SUV targets younger customers in the Chinese market.Its powertrain is likely to be shared with Dongfeng models.
Alongside the Terrano PHEV concept, Nissan unveiled another plug-in hybrid concept at Auto China 2026 in Shanghai this morning: the Urban SUV Concept.
Aimed at young Chinese buyers, a lucrative segment in one of Nissan’s key markets, the Urban SUV concept previews a production model which should be unveiled within a year.
This sleek compact SUV shares a bit of resemblance with the newly launched Infiniti QX65 crossover, but also with the Chinese market NX8, which is the first model in the automaker’s China-only N series line of electrified models.
Nissan Urban SUV Concept | Photo: Nissan
Unlike the NX8, which is offered both in fully-electric and range-extended EV forms, the production version of the Urban SUV will be available with a conventional plug-in hybrid powertrain.
No technical details have been announced at the moment, but we can look at what Nissan and its local partner Dongfeng are also doing in China for clues.
Indeed, the two companies already share a few plug-in hybrid models, such as the Nissan N6 sedan, which is powered by a 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and either a 21.1 kWh battery supplied by Rept Battero or a 20.3 kWh battery supplied by CATL.
Nissan Urban SUV Concept | Photo: Nissan
This second battery can reportedly charge from 30 to 80% in 17 minutes, and a full charge is said to provide an electric range of up to 170 km according to the optimistic CLTC testing cycle.
The combined output of the gasoline engine and electric motor isn’t known, but the N6 is reportedly capable of reaching 100 km/h from a stop in 6.8 seconds.
This same powertrain could be installed in the upcoming Urban SUV, which should give this model a slightly lower range than the sedan due to the higher weight and worse aerodynamics inherent to SUVs.
Nissan Urban SUV Concept | Photo: Nissan
In terms of design, the Urban SUV concept doesn’t massively stand out from other electrified models for the Chinese market, but it features a few distinctive elements, such as split headlamps and a full-width rear light bar.
The rear end also features a prominent air deflector over the back glass, and the side profile shows no apparent door handles, which is likely to change for the production version as China recently banned concealed handles on new vehicles.