Very nice styling job inside and out; excellent ride/handling; lots of kit equals great value
No seven-seat Ti model (Nissan says a seven-seat range-topper wouldn’t sell)
Nissan’s all-new X-TRAIL is now on-sale and it’s all change for the popular mid-size SUV. There’s a totally new look, available seven seats and heaps of extra technology on offer – including Active Ride Control, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Moving Object Detection and Nissan Connect Smartphone Connectivity.
The all-new X-TRAIL has work to do - although, as our number four most popular mid-size SUV last year, Nissan was reasonably pleased with the previous generation in its final showing. But Mazda’s ever-popular CX-5, the acclaimed Toyota RAV4 and the Subaru Forester have all laid-down a strong start to the 2014 sales race.
Nissan has sold more than 140,000 X-TRAILs in Australia since the nameplate first appeared in 2001 and new Nissan Australia chief Richard Emery reckons the new model’s international credentials are formidable. “The X-TRAIL is the first Nissan vehicle to use the ‘Alliance’ (Nissan-Renault) common platform and with a choice of two-wheel-drive, four-wheel-drive, five-seats, seven-seats, two petrol engines now and a turbo-diesel coming, the all-new X-TRAIL is a highly capable, modern ‘family-proof’ vehicle,” Mr Emery said.
Nissan X-TRAIL Overview
All-new Nissan X-TRAIL debuts a totally new look which is fresh and modern (no more ‘boxy/robust’ appearance) but Nissan has maintained its model names – entry-level ST, mid-grade ST-L and range-topping Ti.
Entry-level ST five-seat (2WD six-speed manual) has a unique 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine but the rest of the lineup (including other ST models, ST-L and Ti) employ the more powerful 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine in either 2WD or all-wheel-drive, and Nissan’s competent Xtronic seven-step CVT automatic transmission.
Over the entry-level ST, ST-L models add extras such as roof rails, privacy glass, seven-inch LCD monitor, ‘Around View’ camera system, satellite navigation, DAB digital radio, leather seats and steering wheel, heated and electronically-adjustable front seats and dual-zone climate control.
Range-topping Ti is only available as a five-seater but gets all of the ST-L’s features plus 18-inch alloy wheels, auto-leveling LED headlights, sensor-activated hands-free power tailgate and a sunroof.
The full lineup is:
2WD
ST 2.0l manual$27,990
ST 2.5l Xtronic$30,490
ST 2.5l Xtronic 7-seat$31,580
ST-L 2.5l Xtronic$36,190
ST-L 2.5l Xtronic 7-seat$37,190
AWD
ST 2.5l Xtronic$33,980
ST-L 2.5l Xtronic$39,080
Ti 2.5l Xtronic$44,680
Nissan X-TRAIL Engine
Diesel powered Nissan X-TRAIL will launch later this year. When it arrives, the engine will be the same 1.6-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine used by the smaller Dualis (although and all-new Dualis isn’t far away and it will adopt its international model name of Qashqai).
For now, it’s two four-cylinder petrol engines – a 2.0-litre (code number MR 20DD) and a 2.5-litre (code number QR 25 DE).
The 2.0-litre is exclusive to the 2WD, six-speed manual entry-grade ST and delivers 106kW/200Nm. The 2.5-litre is rated at 126kW/226Nm.
Aided by direct injection, Nissan X-TRAIL 2.0-litre scores combined cycle fuel consumption of 8.2l/100kms (a handy improvement over the 8.5l/100kms for the equivalent model in the superseded lineup). The 2.5-litre engine (exclusively fitted with the Xtronic CVT auto is even better – rated at 7.9l/100kms which is a significant improvement over the 9.5l/100kms for the previous model equivalent).
Nissan X-TRAILs fitted with the Xtronic CVT are fitted with a dashboard-mounted ‘ECO mode’ button which controls the engine and transmission operation for optimized fuel consumption. The ‘Advanced Drive Assist’ screen in the instrument cluster gives a visual readout of fuel being used.
Nissan XTRAIL 4WD use the familiar ALL MODE 4x4-I system with a rotary dial delivering settings for 2WD, AUTO and LOCK.
Nissan X-TRAIL The Interior
On the inside, the all-new Nissan X-TRAIL is a seismic shift away from the previous model with plenty of curves, abundant soft-touch materials and much better quality trim. Both ST-L and Ti models score leather upholstery.
Even entry-level ST boasts a five-inch LCD dashboard display while ST-L and Ti step-up to a seven-inch screen.
Front seats (power adjusted on ST-L and Ti) are comfortable (the same ‘zero gravity’ theory as the American-designed Altima sedan) and with rake/reach adjustment for the steering wheel the driving position is good.
All models (five and seven-seat) come with sliding second-row seats (Nissan’s ‘EZ Flex’ tumble system which provides easier access to the rear compartment). The second row seat also has a recline function and split-folds 40:20:40 (third row split folds 50:50).
The rear doors open to 80-degrees for easy access and the extra wheelbase dimension is obvious with extra knee-room for those in the second row. Luggage space (a clever multi- tiered ‘Divide-N-Hide system in five-seat models) ranges from 550-litres to 1520-litres with the second and third row seats folded.
And the tailgate on Nissan X-TRAIL Ti has a remote access function. It’s not foot-operated like the Ford Kuga, but rather you wave the top of the number plate frame and an infra-red beam is broken which opens the tailgate.
Nissan X-TRAIL Exterior & Styling
With the arrival of available seven seats, the latest X-TRAIL has grown just a little - +30mm wide at 1820mm, +5mm in length at 4640mm +75mm in wheelbase at 2705mm and +10mm in height at 1710mm. Interestingly, ground clearance is reduced by 5mm to 210mm.
There’s a modern similarity between the X-TRAIL, Pathfinder and the soon to be launched Qashqai –all of Nissan’s SUVs (yes even the V8 Patrol) adopting a sculptured, elegant look with noticeable curves and softness compared to previous generation.
Obviously we’ve now spent some time with the Nissan X-TRAIL and we’ve had a quick glance at the Qashqai and in our eyes these two (X-TRAIL from Japan and Qashqai from England) are the pick in terms of a balanced, harmonious look.
X-TRAIL delivers a stylish front-end with the new Nissan ‘family’ grille, powerful bonnet creases and a nice glasshouse shape. Likewise at the rear with the now familiar Nissan ‘boomerang’ lights.
Range-topping Nissan X-TRAIL Ti rides on 18-inch alloy wheels while the rest use 17-inch.
Nissan X-TRAIL On The Road
Nissan sent us on some familiar west of Melbourne and first impressions of the all-new X-TRAIL were certainly positive. Even the CVT got our tick of approval with little ‘droning’ which does plague some other Japanese vehicles.
Ride was very impressive with just the right amount of isolation from road imperfections without inducing too much body roll. Handling too takes a big step forward over previous X-TRAILs with much more precision and response through the twisty stuff.
A brief run over some easy off-road tracks didn’t really test the X-TRAIL’s ground clearance but do confirm the four-wheel-drive system provides nice grip when needed.
Nissan X-TRAIL Challenges
In ‘AUTO’ mode, 4WD versions of the Nissan X-TRAIL did follow the camber of the road more than in ‘2WD’ (so best to switch to 2WD when on-road).
Nissan X-TRAIL Verdict
To be honest, we’ve always been Nissan X-TRAIL fans, having spent plenty of seat time over the years. We like the package size which delivers the SUV convenience appreciated by families without the sometimes overwhelming full-size SUV experience.
And there’s certainly a lot to like about the all-new X-TRAIL – starting with the styling which is modern and appealing. Same inside which is very tasty (the ‘chunky’ interior of the previous generation was good when first launched but dated quickly).
Combine its pleasant driving dynamics and sharp pricing and the all-new Nissan X-TRAIL is a ‘must inspect’ for anyone shopping a mid-size SUV.
Nissan X-TRAIL The Competition
Mazda’s evergreen CX-5 remains enormously popular in this league for many good reasons – not the least of which is the starting price ($27,880). That buys a beautifully styled Crossover/SUV with a brilliantly packaged interior and driving dynamics which in this segment are only headed by the German-origin Ford Kuga.
Toyota RAV4 is more SUV than ‘Crossover’ although 2WD models cover both GX and GXL model grades (prices start at $28,490). Space is abundant inside and despite its off-road architecture, both the 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre petrol engines are at the sharp end of the field for performance and fuel economy.
Like the Nissan X-TRAIL and Mazda CX-5, Subaru’s excellent Forester is more wagon-like than SUV. Forester is only available in AWD which means its $30,990 starting price is actually great value. Also spacious inside, the Subaru Forester doesn’t quite match the latest X-TRAIL for interior style and it rides tad more firm on-road.
The Ford Kuga is a Carshowroom.com.au Favourite in this league and its only 2WD model is priced sharply at $27,990 (same as the X-TRAIL). We like the looks and we especially like the driving dynamics (in our book the best in-class).
