Nissan X-TRAIL ST Review and Road Test

You see them at school pick-ups, junior sporting events and holiday destinations – the ‘soft-roader’, ‘crossover’  ‘mid-size SUV’ or whatever name the car industry dreams-up this week. The bottom line is these family-friendly ‘wagon-substitutes are hot-sellers and Nissan is now right at the pointy end of the field with the all-new X-TRAIL.

Not that there was much wrong with the previous generation X-TRAIL. Car Showroom has logged countless kilometers in X-TRAILs up and down the East Coast of Australia and, quite frankly we thought they were great. A tad rugged perhaps, but family types would call that ‘hard-wearing’.

But the all-new X-TRAIL has grown-up and now much better meets the needs of today’s soft-roader buyers. That term ‘practicality’ springs to mind again and while the all-new X-TRAIL looks much better, significantly it’s more spacious inside.

Nissan rightly has high hopes for the all-new X-TRAIL to carve-out a greater share of this family-dominated market – a market which has recently been dominated by Mazda’s CX-5. By any measure – including value-for-money, the all-new Nissan X-TRAIL has stepped-up and is indeed a worthy adversary for Mazda’s top-seller.

 

Nissan X-TRAIL Overview

Car Showroom tested the mid-grade Nissan X-TRAIL ST (all-wheel-drive and CVT automatic transmission), priced at $33,980. Nissan X-TRAIL starts at $27,990 for the ST front-wheel-drive 2.0-litre with a six-speed manual transmission.

Amongst its extras, the ST all-wheel-drive gains keyless entry, and some technical improvements like Active Brake Limited Slip, Hill Descent Control.

 

Nissan X-TRAIL Engine

Nissan powers all but the entry-level ST 2WD X-TRAIL with the QR25 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine. Maximum power is 126kW at 6000rpm and peak torque of 226Nm arrives at 4400rpm.

In our case, drive was via a CVT automatic transmission (no steering wheel paddle-shifters) and Nissan’s excellent ALL MODE 4x4-i electronic four-wheel-drive system

For the all-wheel-drive CVT automatic transmission model we tested, combined cycle fuel consumption is rated at 8.3l/100kms.

 

Nissan X-TRAIL The Interior

The all-wheel-drive Nissan X-TRAIL as tested only comes in the five-seat configuration (seven-seats exclusively in 2WD ST and ST-L grades). That said, the all-new X-TRAIL, like its predecessor, seems very comfortable with large, supportive seats up-front and a nice layout for the second row ‘theatre-style’ seats which can slide for load carrying versatility.

Instrumentation really steps-up over the previous generation with a stylish layout and modern colours and graphics. The ST model as tested runs the five-inch LCD screen for the reversing camera image and single-disc, six-speaker audio system.

Storage space is plentiful, including a centre console box large enough to contain an iPad or 10-inch tablet.

Rake/reach adjustment for the steering wheel delivers a good driving position and all-round visibility is excellent.

With the rear seats in their rear-most position, leg-room is a standout – one of the best in-class we reckon. Rear doors open 80-degrees for easy access.

And out back is a versatile cargo area with two levels (so for example you can store a baby stroller in the lower compartment, leaving the upper level for other goodies – very smart). The rear seat also split-folds 40:20:40.

 

Nissan X-TRAIL Exterior & Styling

This ‘T32’ model Nissan X-TRAIL introduces curves and sophistication to the nameplate that were certainly missing in the robust-looking previous generation. There’s finally an elegance about the X-TRAIL which means it can now compete with the likes of Mazda CX-5 without looking ‘odd’.

There’s also a family look, particularly noticeable in the ‘Pathfinder-like’ grille and headlights.

Although only marginally wider and longer than the previous model, the all-New Nissan X-TRAIL provides a massive 75mm of extra length in the wheelbase (which translates into more interior space of course).

Side-view is punctuated by nice wheel-arch curves covering the stylish twin-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, a sophisticated glasshouse design and stylish D-pillar.

The rear-end too is now very sophisticated with high-mounted, modern, jewel-like tail-lights and an integrated tailgate spoiler.

 

Nissan X-TRAIL On The Road

We didn’t put Nissan’s ALL MODE 4x4-I system through its paces off-road during our week with the Nissan X-TRAIL but a torrential late-night downpour and flooded roads almost had us reaching for the dial on the centre console. So we can tell you the X-TRAIL’s 210mm ground clearance was enough to get us through one of Melbourne’s best winter deluges safely.

And that’s the thing with ‘soft-roaders’ in the family environment – versatility. Whether its flooded roads or loading-up with people and sporting goods/camping equipment, cars like the Nissan X-TRAIL have what it takes to do ‘stuff’ which would challenge regular sedans or wagons.

Over our high-speed mountain roads test loop, there was ample evidence Nissan X-TRAIL’s new uni body (monocoque) design, multi-link rear suspension and Active Ride Control all conspire to deliver driving dynamics vastly superior to the previous generation. Much more refined at all speeds and we certainly liked the overall compliance over bumps and the steering response was very linear and positive.

The 2.5-litre engine was a willing worker and Nissan’s X-tronic CVT was one of the better ones (not so intrusive under hard acceleration).

Around town we had no real complaints with the Nissan X-TRAIL offering plenty of acceleration and parking maneuverability – turning circle is 11.3-metres which is on-par with others in this segment. If we wanted to be really picky, we wouldn’t mind a larger screen size for the reversing camera. 

 

Nissan X-TRAIL Issues

We’re deducting marks for some of the interior plastics. In this age of soft-feel interiors, some of the X-TRAIL’s interior  - while certainly easy-clean and up to the challenges of family life – looks and feels a tad down-scale (which is a shame because other elements of the interior are excellent.

 

Nissan X-TRAIL Verdict

We liked the previous model Nissan X-TRAIL – a genuine family-friendly ‘soft-roader – but we admit the looks were a bit rugged for some. So Nissan has certainly changed-up in the styling department with the all-new model – tick that box.

But more to the point, the extra interior space and more up-scale interior has (mostly) hit the sweet spot for the predominantly family buyers who proliferate this market segment. And, that 210mm ground clearance plus Nissan’s ALL MODE 4x4-I system mean the X-TRAIL is certainly better off-road than some rivals.

As we expect from the Japanese giant, pricing is spot-on.

So we have an all-new Nissan X-TRAIL which is bigger, better equipped, nicer to drive and sharply priced.

Adds-up to a package which you simply can’t overlook in this league.

Nissan X-TRAIL The Competition

As always in this league, all roads lead to the Mazda CX-5. You’ll need $36,620 for the mid-grade CX-5 ‘Maxx Sport’ in all-wheel-drive and for that you get 138kW/250Nm of 2.5-litre power and a six-speed automatic transmission. We suspect the Nissan X-TRAIL may offer a smidge more interior space but there’s no denying the CX-5’s all-round quality and sharp driving dynamics.

Toyota’s RAV4 is more SUV than ‘soft-roader’ and at $37,990 for the GXL auto, you’re buying a bit more ‘go-anywhere’ ability than the X-TRAIL. Plenty of space inside and 132kW/233Nm of 2.5-litre grunt but a tad more cumbersome in the city environment.

Ford’s German Kuga would definitely be on our list. $36,240 for the ‘Trend’ buys a great drive and the turbocharged 1.6-litre delivers 134kW/240Nm and better fuel consumption at 8.0l/100kms.

Jeep’s all-new Cherokee, Kia Sportage and Hyundai ix35 are also ‘must considers’.