By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring
Those who thought Nissan’s long-standing popular sports utility vehicle would trail away into oblivion were mistaken. The mid-size X-Trail came to Australia more than two decades ago with little fanfare but won the hearts and wallets of those searching for soft-road versatility.
Now, Nissan has announced a new fourth generation X-Trail for Down Under in the second half of 2022. In the meantime, to celebrate 20 years here, the Japanese company has refreshed the MY22 model range with the addition of a new ST+ variant.
Available in two- or four-wheel drive, the ST+ slots in between the T and ST-L grades and offers around-view monitor with moving object detection, front and rear parking sensors, and satellite navigation above the ST.
On test was the two-wheel drive variant selling for $34,140, plus on road costs. All-wheel drive adds $2000 to the price. There are seven-seat X-Trails but the ST+ makes do with five.
STYLING
Little is added over the styling of the 2017 updated X-Trail. The ST+ sports daytime running lights, body-coloured power folding / adjusting mirrors with integrated indicator and rear roof spoiler.
Rolling on 17-inch alloy wheels, the ST+ could might well be any of the popular rivals in this range.
INTERIOR
Flexibility is the catchword in seating, with a second-row 40 / 20 / 40 split fold, sliding / reclining bench and creative cargo area.
INFOTAINMENT
Apart from the addition of satellite navigation, carried over are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, digital radio, Bluetooth and NissanConnect with voice recognition and control.
Things get under way with intelligent key and push-button engine start and stop.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The Nissan X-Trail comes with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine in manual ST grades, and with an up-specced 2.5-litre unit in other variants. The 2-litre develops 106 kW of power and 200 Nm of torque; the 2.5-litre motor 126 kW and 233 Nm.
All the latter, in two or four-wheel drive, are mated with Nissan’s Xtronic constantly variable transmission with manual mode.
SAFETY
The new X-Trail ST+ is sold on the addition of an all-round-view monitor with moving object detection, plus front and rear parking sensors.
Carried over from the ST are six airbags cruise control, anti-skid braking, electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist, forward autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, vehicle dynamic control and hill start assist.
Unlike with some rivals, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring or rear cross-traffic alert are absent until a shift up range. And there’s no adaptive cruise control.
DRIVING
The 2.5-litre engine is offered across the range and performs efficiently without stressing the CVT (or driver).
Ride and handling are mid spectrum for this kind of car. There’s no ignoring body roll on some tight turns.
Wind and road noise are par for this class of car.
Nissan claims the two-wheel drive ST consumes 7.9 litres of 91 RON regular unleaded petrol per 100 kilometres on the combined urban / highway cycle. The ST+ on test clocked 11.1 litres per 100 in the city and 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres on a motorway run, which is roughly in line with the maker’s combined claim. The X-Trail carries a 60-litre tank.
The boot is impressive, with room for 565 litres with the second-row seat-backs up. Fold these and the volume expands to 945 litres. A variable height floor creates a compartment with dual capacity. A space saver spare is situated under the floor.
The cabin is far-from cramped, even with tall occupants in both rows. Headroom is made to match. Rear air vents are a boon on hot summer days and map pockets can be found in front seat backs, while the centre arm rest folds down to expose cup holders.
While instruments and controls are where they are to be expected, they do hark back to earlier days, especially with the X-Trail’s 7-inch touchscreen. The archaic foot-operated parking brake has seen better days and the lack of auto air-con and windscreen wipers also stands out.
SUMMARY
The X-Trail comes up against the likes of the well-respected Toyota RAV4 and the Mitsubishi Outlander and is only months away from being made redundant by the next generation Nissan. On the other hand, there could be some attractive deals in the offing on soon-to-become superseded models.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
X-Trail ST 2-litre petrol manual: $30,665
X-Trail ST 2.5-litre auto: $32,665
X-Trail ST (7 seats): $34,265
X-Trail ST 4WD: $34,665
X-Trail ST+: $34,140
X-Trail ST+: 4WD $36,140
X-Trail ST-L: $38,675
X-Trail ST-L (7 seats): $40,275
X-Trail ST-L 4WD: $40,675
X-Trail Ti 4WD: $46,115
X-Trail Ti (tan leather) 4WD: $46,115
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Nissan dealer for drive-away prices.
