Ni-based catalysts are selective in the hydrogenation of CO₂ to CH₄ but their activity and stability need improvement. Herein, we propose a hydrotalcite-derived high loaded Ni-Al₂O₃ catalyst promoted by La. The effect of La on the catalyst properties is investigated and compared with that of Y and Ce. The NiO_x crystallite size and basic properties (rather than the nickel reducibility) as well as the catalytic activity depend on the rare-earth element. The La-catalyst achieves a more relevant activity enhancement at low temperature and high space velocity (480 L g⁻¹ h⁻¹, CO₂/H₂/N₂ = 1/4/1 v/v), high CH₄ productivity (101 L_CH4 g_Ni⁻¹ h⁻¹) and stability, even under undiluted feeds. In situ DRIFTS and the characterization of spent catalysts confirm that this enhanced performance is related to the combination of dissociative and associative CO₂ activation on more reduced, highly dispersed and stable Ni nanoparticles and basic sites in the La₂O₃-Al₂O₃ matrix, respectively.