Buying a used Nissan X-TRAIL (2014-2018)

The Nissan X-TRAIL has a long and happy relationship with Australia.

Our first view came in 2001, followed by regular revamps and updates that kept sales bubbling along. Those regular updates delivered opportunities for buyers shopping at the used end of the market to grab a superseded model that still closely resembled the current one.

For 2013 Nissan brought to the table a bigger, better equipped and (slightly) more powerful third-generation X-TRAIL that took on the category-leading Toyota RAV4 and new newly-arrived Mazda CX-5.

Nissan’s media release happily acknowledged co-operation with Renault that led to the X-TRAIL being built on a new Common Module Family platform with elements of “Nissan’s latest design language”.

In other words, it began to look like every other Nissan SUV/crossover of similar vintage.

The shape was certainly more appealing than the early and more severe X-TRAILs. A longer body let Nissan squeeze two extra passengers into an area normally devoted to luggage and claim seven-seat capacity.

However, the X-TRAIL really is only suited to carrying five full-size humans plus a couple of pre-schoolers giggling up the back.

Progressively from 2014-17, the X-TRAIL range expanded to deliver wide choice and keen pricing to an increasingly crowded market segment.

Beginning at less than $28,000 for a 2.0-litre front-wheel drive (FWD), then running to more than $45,000 for a lavishly-appointed Ti all-wheel drive (AWD), there was an X-TRAIL to suit most needs.

Looking even in scant detail at every variation would occupy much more space than we have, so to minimise the bewilderment we will consider a couple of representative models: the popular ST-L (2.5 petrol) and TL (1.6 turbo-diesel).

The Renault-sourced diesel might look undersized but its 96kW of power was supported by a very respectable 320Nm of torque, available from just 1750rpm.

It combined with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) on FWD models, and the FWD X-TRAIL TL could legally tow a 1500kg braked trailer. The AWD models could only be had with a six-speed manual gearbox and had a 2000kg towing capacity.

In the TL trim level, the X-TRAIL was well equipped with leather trim and a sunroof.

The X-TRAIL ST-L managed 126kW from its 2.5-litre petrol engine and came only with a CVT. Yes, you can flick the lever back and forth to alter the tranny’s electronically guided intent, but you might as well just let it do its thing. Or get a diesel with the six-speed manual option.

X-TRAIL ST-L or TL versions enjoy nicely shaped seats with perforated leather facings and electric adjustment.

Among the other goodies are dual-zone climate control, auxiliary power outlets and MP3 ports, heated mirrors, a multifunction screen and comprehensive music system with digital radio.

The wheels are 17-inch alloys and the nifty around-car camera system helps detect those sawn-off tree stumps that crouch in the camping ground waiting to spike your tyre.

If you can live with front-wheel drive only, then your X-TRAIL could be specified with the third set of seats which come with no legroom at all and swallow almost all of the luggage space when occupied.

All-wheel drive X-TRAILs, for reasons not explained by Nissan at successive media events to announce updated versions, came only as five-seaters.

We know that diesel-engined passenger vehicles in overseas markets are on the nose in a vrange of respects and sales have dwindled. However, this issue is yet to seriously affect the Australian market for new and used SUV diesels.

Therefore, if you want to tow a boat or do some serious distance in a Nissan X-TRAIL, the hard-working 1.6-litre oiler is worth a test drive.

For the townie crowd, who’d probably prefer to avoid oily diesel pumps, the 2.5-litre petrol engine and CVT are by far the preferred combination and easier to find in the used market.

Performance isn’t flash but certainly acceptable, with the CVT-equipped 2.5 recording a 0-100km/h time of 9.6 seconds. Getting the X-TRAIL wound up for an overtaking lunge takes some anticipation and early burial of the throttle foot to awaken the CVT before you venture across the centre line.

Once in the happiest segment of its rev range, though, the willing 2.5 – and the rather raucous 1.6 turbo-diesel as well – do get the job done with gusto. 

X-TRAILs at 1.71 metres are a tall vehicle for their size, with heaps of headroom front and rear and loads of freight space above a flat floor when the seats are down. The wheel-arches leave plenty of space for wider objects and the hatch gives excellent clearance when loading.

If you don’t have seven seats, there’s a useful sub-boot too.

Laden with people and used in suburbia or undulating countryside, the diesel will require around 9L/100km while the 2.5 petrol can guzzle 14L/100km. With cruise control locked at 100km/h and the terrain near flat, those numbers can be improved by up to 40 per cent.

Even though you may have paid extra for an X-TRAIL with 4WD, this is not a serious off-road vehicle. The CVT isn’t suited to rock-hopping or low-speed slogging through sand or on muddy tracks, and while the diesel manual does cope better with rough going, clearance and traction are still going to be issues.

Previous versions of the X-TRAIL underwent European crash testing for their safety ratings and scored four stars, despite hanging together very well during the barrier tests.

In 2014, local testing agency ANCAP slammed the latest version into its barrier and recorded 14.68 from a possible 16 points. The local X-TRAIL also clocked a perfect 16/16 for side impact protection and 2/2 for the pole test for an overall score of 35.28 and a full five-star ranking.

>> X-TRAILs of this age should not show signs of panel rust and any that do will likely have been crashed and poorly repaired. The underside is a different story; even cautious off-roading can scuff the poorly protected floor-pans and sills and give corrosion a corridor through which to invade.

>> While on your back looking for underbody damage, check the suspension joints, driveshaft and steering boots, exhaust system and catalytic converter.  These are also vulnerable to off-roader damage.

>> X-TRAILs built from 2014-16 were recalled to fix a tailgate stay that could lose gas pressure due to premature corrosion. Worth checking the service history to ensure this simple but potentially painful fix has been undertaken.

>> Turbochargers attached to the X-TRAIL diesel don’t seem to suffer endemic problems, but the risk of failure increases the further past 150,000km a vehicle travels and failures can occur earlier. Check in the mirror when accelerating or decelerating for white smoke from the exhaust.

>> Watch for a DPF (diesel particulate filter) warning message on the dash display and check the owners’ manual for instructions. If the particulate filter clogs, performance suffers and further damage can occur unless a workshop undertakes rapid remedial action.

>> Vibration from the CVT when accelerating is a symptom of impending failure. A vehicle that shudders should be left alone, and if you have one, repairs will be expensive. Some shops won’t consider fitting a used transmission as they can be as bad as the one being replaced.  

>> Check the operation of the air-conditioning and do not buy an X-TRAIL that the vendor might claim “just needs regassing”. Air-con systems cutting out after 20-30 minutes’ use have been noted by owners, and major components must be replaced to regain reliability.

Used vehicle grading for Nissan X-TRAIL
Design & Function: 15/20
Safety: 15/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for Money: 13/20
Wow Factor: 10/20
Score: 68/100

Also consider: Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan