Nissan X-TRAIL ST-L 2017 Review

Australia’s medium SUV segment is large and growing. Nissan’s X-TRAIL is currently the fourth best-selling nameplate, capturing 11.7 per-cent of sales and family buyers in particular acknowledge the X-Trail for its generous interior space and reasonable off-road ability.

If moving people is more important that going bush, you can opt for seven-seat X-Trail models.

Given that successful formula, Nissan was never going to upset the applecart with the first update for the current generation X-TRAIL. For example, as we learned during the drive program, the newcomer maintains X-TRAIL's hallmark flexible boot with under-floor storage space in two separate compartments and the roomy rear seat with easy access and adjustable air vents.

Everything is fine up front as well, other than the foot-operated parking brake. The X-TRAIL is a massive seller for Nissan in the North American market where foot-operated parking brakes are the norm, but there’s no doubt they detract from the driver’s operating environment.

Otherwise the instruments are legible, and the controls are both smartly placed and easy to operate. Running changes include a new D-shaped steering wheel (with new control buttons), new gear-lever, a revised centre console, new graphics for the audio and satellite navigation system and new looks for the front air vents.

Range-topping grades Ti (petrol) and TL (turbo-diesel) gain some new creature comfort items including a motion activated tailgate, heated steering wheel, high beam assist and heated rear seats.

As we expect with the X-TRAIL, the seats are well-shaped for occupant comfort and, for the oldies or the very young, the H-point makes climbing in a doddle.

Styling changes are noticeable and include a revised front fascia with a different grille, new headlights and DRLs, new rear lights and new alloy wheels - 17-inch for ST, TS and ST-L models or 19-inch for Ti and TL grades.

New technology, from Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility suite, is significant. All models score autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and forward collision warning, while items like pedestrian detection for the AEB, active cruise control, rear cross traffic alert and adaptive front lights are model-dependent.

Ti and TL versions gain an eight-speaker Bose audio system.

Nissan had none of the new 2.0-litre turbo-diesel models on hand for the press launch. This was a curious scenario as the new, larger diesel is the headline act of the updated lineup and is expected to be a major contributor in boosting X-TRAIL sales as Nissan fights the all-new Mazda CX-5. Unlike the previous 1.6-litre turbo-diesel, the new 2.0-litre is available with an automatic transmission (Nissan’s X-Tronic continuously variable transmission).

We tested the petrol 2.5-litre front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive variants in mid-range ST-L guise (the biggest-selling grade), and over 130km, the X-TRAIL 4WD averaged around 8.9l/100kms – certainly commendable for a medium SUV driven in a profligate way by a couple of motoring journalists.

The X-TRAIL’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine is not one of the world's most charismatic powerplants, nevertheless it is reasonably refined and produces strong mid-range output (most useable in day-to-day driving). While not as sporty as the 2.0-litre engine in the smaller British-made Nissan Qashqai there's no denying the X-TRAIL powerplant has reserves of power and torque for overtaking or when hauling heavy payloads.

In combination with the X-tronic CVT automatic, the 2.5-litre propels the X-Trail up to speed quickly, and its does so without guzzling petrol. Over the course of the drive program, the 4WD model sipped 8.9L/100km and the front-wheel drive variant turned in a figure of 9.3L/100km – in different driving conditions

The CVT ensures the engine is working at optimal efficiency when the driver kicks down or – in manual mode - uses the shift paddles to keep it on the boil. Nissan is adept at developing CVTs which operate like a conventional automatic transmission – calibrating artificial steps for a rush through the rev range mimicking acceleration through gears. And the Nissan X-Tronic is much more hushed and responds faster to driver input than CVTs from other brands.

At full throttle, the CVT adjusts the engine speed in harmony with the ‘ratios’ in the transmission so there's little of the droning experienced in other CVTs; the transmission shifts to the next 'ratio' just before 6000rpm. In manual (sequential) mode, the drivetrain can be tapped for engine braking to balance the handling in corners and the 'gear changes' feel 'close-ratio' (other than the slow slurring as the CVT moves from one programmed step to the next).

Entry-level Nissan X-TRAIL ST 2WD retains its 106kW/200Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine driving the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.

Some tyre noise is evident in the Nissan X-TRAIL at open-road speeds on coarse chip bitumen, but it's no worse than others in this segment. And slight wind noise is also noticeable, but the drivetrain itself is impressively quiet until pushed to the limit.

For driving dynamics, while the Nissan X-TRAIL isn’t quite as responsive as the Hyundai Tucson or Ford Escape, it’s certainly not this segment’s wooden spooner on that score. If they rate an ‘A’, the X-TRAIL is no worse than a ‘B’.

Steering weight is light at lower speeds (below 60km/h) and firms nicely beyond that point. Grip is impressive; on turn-in the front end hangs on like a leech and there's enough steering feedback to place the X-TRAIL precisely for neat cornering.

Where the Nissan X-TRAIL excels is in its ride quality. There is no wallowing or pitching, just well-damped comfort which never ceases to impress (even over head-tossing country-road bumps and dirt-road corrugations and potholes).

Yes, we did take the X-TRAIL on dirt and it felt composed and capable, although the roads were not challenging 4WD tracks.

Inside, the X-TRAIL has lifted its game and cabin presentation is easy on the eye. Seats are comfortable and well-cushioned, but still secure in fast while cornering. Hard trim materials are textured and appear sufficiently robust for many years of the ultimate SUV test – family duties.

Apart from the previously-mentioned foot-operated parking brake, the only niggle is the apparent stealth design of the ‘Eco’ button which is tucked away in a little hidey-hole underneath the dash, to the right of the steering column.

The reclining 60:40 split-folding rear seat provides a 'stadium' view for the kids in the back, and they also enjoy the benefits of abundant legroom, headroom, easy access and adjustable air vents in the rear of the centre console. As well as that split-fold function, the second row seat slides fore/aft for cargo versatility.

Unlike at least one of its principal competitors, the X-TRAIL has adjustable vents for third row occupants.

Useful boot space with the acknowledged practicality of the two-section lift-out panels for additional storage under the floor are X-TRAIL strong points. According to Nissan, the luggage capacity is 565-litres with the second-row seat upright. Of course assistance in that regard comes from the space-saver spare wheel under the floor, which conversely ceases to become an asset should you encounter some tough off-road conditions.

For that other SUV role – towing – the X-TRAIL will haul 1500kg (petrol) or 1650kg with the new diesel engine under the bonnet.

The Nissan X-TRAIL remains an affordable, practical package with great appeal for families. In many ways, the improvements included in the updated lineup are the icing on the cake for most buyers who already appreciate the virtues of Nissan’s medium SUV.

Bringing the revised model range to market with the new drivetrain option, added driver-assist technology – and all at prices either unchanged or reduced – can only serve to keep the Nissan X-TRAIL near the head of the SUV buyer's shopping list.

2017 Nissan X-TRAIL ST-L pricing and specifications:
Price: $36,590 FWD, $38,590 AWD (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder
Output: 126kW/226Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable
Fuel: 7.9L/100km FWD, 8.3L/100km AWD (ADR Combined)
CO2: 183g/km FWD, 192g/km AWD
Safety Rating: Five-star (ANCAP, 2014)