New Nissan X-TRAIL revealed

The 2021 Nissan Rogue has made its global debut online, previewing the fourth-generation Nissan X-TRAIL that will arrive in Australia later than expected in 2022.

Revealed overnight in North America, where the new Nissan Rogue becomes available around October, the all-new mid-size SUV emerges identical to the vehicles first seen in images leaked in April.

As we’ve reported, Australia’s next X-TRAIL is likely to host the local debut of Nissan’s innovative e-POWER hybrid system, in which a small petrol engine acts only as a generator to power an electric motor that drives the vehicle’s wheels.

For now, however, the 2021 Rogue – Nissan USA’s best-selling model – will launch exclusively with an upgraded version of the current model’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, delivering 135kW of power and 245Nm of torque – up from 126kW/226Nm. Engine upgrades include mirror bore coating, a variable displacement oil pump and an integrated exhaust manifold and e-VTC intake valve.

So far there is no sign of the diesel or seven-seat versions available in Australia, but the next X-TRAIL will remain available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive form. A new Vehicle Motion Control system works with AWD and a five-mode Drive Mode Selector (including Off-road, Snow, Standard, Eco and Sport; 2WD models miss out on the first two) to smooth out corners by controlling individual wheels.

The AWD system’s new electro-hydraulic controlled clutch is also claimed to more accurately and quickly distribute torque to the rear wheels, while a new ‘Rack Electric Power Steering’ employs a quick gear ratio and suspension comprises a new front-end set-up with six rigid mounts and a new multi-link rear-end.

The 2021 Nissan Rogue makes big advances in technology and design too, thanks to an all-new platform that’s claimed to bring enhanced driving dynamics and cutting-edge driver-assist and connectivity features.

Punctuated by new multi-level LED headlights, which are standard on all models and flank a revised V-motion grille, design cues like a ‘floating’ roof and U-shape highlights adorn a body that is about 38mm shorter and 5mm lower overall.

New exterior aerodynamic elements include ‘3D’ tyre deflectors in the lower front fascia, an active grille shutter to control air-flow to the engine, special A-pillar shaping, underbody covers and a unique ‘air curtain’ to direct air from the front to the sides of the vehicle.

Nissan says the new Rogue has the most standard safety technologies in its class and all variants will come standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360 features including Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist and Rear Automatic Braking.

Other standard safety equipment will include Intelligent Driver Alertness and Rear Door, but Blind Spot Intervention, Traffic Sign Recognition and Intelligent Cruise Control will be optional, at least in the US.

In terms of NissanConnect connectivity, wireless smartphone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay will be part of the Rogue’s Nissan Intelligent Mobility tech suit, along with USB Type-C and Type-A charging ports and Nissan Intelligent Key, including one-touch unlocking for the rear doors, which now open nearly 90 degrees. Also fitted as standard is push-button starting, Android Auto, Google Assistant and Bluetooth hands-free phone, audio streaming and text messaging.

The new ‘Family hub’ cabin design concept is claimed to deliver “extraordinary utility and comfort for all occupants” via a butterfly-opening front centre console, a new electronic gear shifter and ‘floating’ centre console, and reclining “NASA-inspired Zero Gravity low-fatigue spinal support” rear seating with one-touch fold-down function.

New options – again for the US – include ‘class-exclusive’ tri-zone climate control (also in the rear), a motion-activated tailgate, rear side sunshades, heated front and rear seats, heated outside mirrors, heated steering wheel, two-driver seat memory, redesigned Divide-n-Hide cargo storage compartment, and an improved ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link system.

Thanks to next-generation radar and camera technology, the latter is not only able to accelerate, brake and steer the vehicle more smoothly in both heavy traffic and on the highway, says Nissan, but proactively reduce speed for bends, exits, junctions and speed limits, while the hold time for stop/go traffic has been extended from three to 30 seconds.

Perhaps the biggest tech advance, however, is the addition of three big new digital displays, including a full-colour 10.8-inch head-up display, 12.3-inch customisable ‘Digital Dashboard’ gauge cluster and a floating 9.0-inch ventral touch-screen.

Claimed to be the biggest in its class, the latter displays navigation (including Google Maps and Waze via voice control), audio and climate information, plus video from the RearView Monitor and optional enhanced Intelligent Around View Monitor.

In North America, the 2021 Nissan Rogue will be available in four model grades – S, SV, SL and new-for 2021 Platinum, which comes standard with quilted semi-aniline leather-appointed seat trim and many of the new tech additions.

Three interior colour choices will be offered – Charcoal, Gray and Tan – alongside a range of exterior paint colours including five two-tone combinations for the first time.

Currently priced between $30,040 and $48,490, Nissan Australia’s X-TRAIL is the third most popular mid-size SUV behind the RAV4 and Mazda CX-5.