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Nissan X-Trail MY 2023 Launch review

David Brown
Nissan X-Trail

 X-Trail – Nissan’s latest generation of its X-Trail is on an all-new platform and comes at a critical time for Nissan.  Nissan X-Trail TI-L

Supply difficulties have limited Nissan X-Trail sales for the past two years. As at October 2022 sales of X-Trails are down 44% compared to 2021 which was not a great year either.

The X-trail has been the mainstay of the Nissan line up since 2001 although recent COVID and supply difficulties have meant that their Navara ute has caught up, not so much by increased sales but in the decline of the X-Trail.  The Navara is now significantly ahead in year-to-date figures in 2022.

The new model is the fourth generation of the vehicle that was first released in 2001.

It has a number of refinements that help it keep up with the opposition and provide a comfortable and competent ride. The hybrid model will not come out till next year.

The latest generation comes with the same four specification levels:

Exterior

The all-new model, which shares engineering platforms with the soon to be released new Qashqai, is slightly shorter (-10mm to 4680mm) than before but is wider (+20mm to 1840mm), taller (+15mm to 1725mm) but the wheelbase remains unchanged at 2705mm.

A good trend in practicality is the bigger (85 degrees) opening rear door apertures for easier rear access and egress.

The from style comes with what Nissan calls its signature-V-motion brand identity across all models.  The two clusters one for headlights and one for ancillary lights are placed relatively high on the front of the vehicle. The overall result is typical of the larger SUVs creating the look of a solid, sizable car: Nissan call it “robust”, and it certainly looks more sculptured than the first two generation models and little more upright in the nose than generation three.

For the first time, the rear tailgate door on the X-Trail is made of a composite material. The front and rear doors, front fenders and hood, are all now made of aluminium.

The use of ultra-high-strength steel in the body-in-white structure has risen from 19 per cent in the previous model to 35 per cent, while torsional stiffness has increased by 27 per cent.

Exterior lights, front and back are now all LED and the two top of the range models have adaptive beam matrix lighting which splits the headlight beams into 12 individually controlled segments.

There’s new Splash Free Wipers which means that the water is piped to the wiper arms and released directly at the wiper blades and not spayed up from various nozzles

Interior

The X-trail has good leg room, slightly increased from previous model.

The rear cargo area is very good for the class at 585 litres with the second row of seats in the up position but the third row (if optioned) in the down position.

X-Trail ST

The features that particularly define the base model include:

Stepping up to the ST-L

adds a range of features, the most notable being:

The Ti offers in addition:

The top of the range Ti-L goes even further

The new X-Trail is also available with a third row of passenger accommodation.

Power train and suspension

The X-Trail keeps the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine across all variants but lifts power output by 9kW to 135kW, and torque is boosted by 18Nm to 244Nm.

Nissan doesn’t particularly highlight that it has a CVT gearbox but they have improved it and it is not as noticeable as some other models.

The two lower variants (ST and ST-L) come in either 2WD or 4WD while the top two variants come in 4WD only.

While they have used some lighter materials in panels etc the overall car weighs a little more than the previous model, none-the-less they have improved the fuel consumption by 0.5 l/100 km which is now 7.4l/100 for the 2wd and 7.8l/100 for the AWD.

The power-steering set-up has also been upgraded, with a “quicker” rack ratio offering improved response, better feeling around the central part of the steering range and reduced friction.

A twist-dial Drive Mode Selector on 4WD models provides five driving modes – Off-Road, Snow, Auto, Eco and Sports – with paddle-shift controls on the steering wheel for manual over-ride of the new shift-by-wire transmission interface.

Safety Features

The X-Trail has been awarded five-star ANCAP safety rating across its range.

The base model ST standard functions include

While not available in the base model, all other of the three variants come with Nissans ProPILOT which Nissan describes as a semi-autonomous system. It can adjust speed done to zero based on the car in front of you and has lane keep assist.

Driving Impression

The new X-Trail has enough technology and comfort features to expect a good ride and it certainly does not disappoint.  The confidence and quietness in which it handles a range of conditions makes it a very good vehicle for both urban and rural situations. It gives a feeling of good road manners, modern design, and well-constructed, without aggressively transmitting every bump in the road.

A good test is when the road conditions change, even if it is just from a smooth bitumen surface to aggregate rolled into bitumen surface, and you do not immediately notice it. The Nissan X-Trail passed this test very well.

The lane keep assist is not quiet up to the highest standards with the system failing to detect line marking in conditions that while that were sub optimal, some other brands appear to do a bit better.

I am not a fan of CVT gearboxes but I was not conscious of it in unless I concentrated on how it was working. This represents a good improvement in this technology.

Summary

The overall practicality of the vehicle and the relatively ease of operation should help Nissan regain the sales numbers if it can get supply.

The pricing at the time of the launch is

ST 2WD                           $36,750

ST 4WD 7-seat               $39,790

ST-L 2WD                        $43,190

ST-L 4WD 7-seat            $46,290

Ti 4WD                            $49,990

Ti-L 4WD                         $52,990

* Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) are provided for media purposes only and do not include premium paint, statutory charges or other on-road costs

^$700 surcharge for premium paint; $1200 surcharge for two-tone paint

What is good?
  • Comfortable, quiet ride in many situations
  • Range of features
  • Good space and practical design

What is not so good?
  • Lane-keep assist struggled in less than perfect situations
  • CVT gearbox but they are getting better
  • Lack of a hybrid although one is coming soon

Also look at ;

Nissan X Trail

Model

 X-Trail Ti (second highest spec – 5 seats)
Model Price $49,990 Plus on-road costs
Engine 2.5 litre four cylinder petrol
Drivetrain CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with manual mode – 4WD
Power 135 kW@ 6,000
Torque 244 Nm@ 3,600
Safety 5 star (2022)
0-100kmh / Top Speed N/A
CO2 Emissions 183 (g/km combined cycle)
Economy ADR 7.8 (4×4, Litres/100km combined cycle)
Economy on test N/A
Servicing capped price for the first six services
Warranty 5-Year Unlimited Kilometre
Road side Assist five years of 24-Hour Roadside Assistance

Overall Rating    

83/100
Behind the Wheel 9
Comfort 9
Equipment 8
Performance 7
Ride and Handling 9
Practicality 9
Fit for Purpose 8
Styling / Appeal 7
Technology/connectivity 9
Value for Money 8

Dimensions

  
Overall Length 4,680 mm
Wheelbase 2,705 mm
Width 2,065 (including mirror)
Height 1,725 mm
Wheels 19 inch alloy
Turning Circle KTK  11.1 m
Boot Capacity Min 585 (Litres to the roof)
Boot capacity Max N/A
Kerb Weight 1,668 kg
Payload (kg) 465 kg
GVM (kg) 2,135 kg
Towing Capacity 2000 kg
Tow Ball rating N/A

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