Nissan X-TRAIL 2022 Review

Nissan has done an impressive job with the new-generation (T33) 2022 Nissan X-TRAIL, particularly in the high-series Ti model grade we spent most time in during the national media launch.

Priced from $49,990 plus on-road costs, the Ti has an upmarket look and feel inside and out, and benefits from a higher quality interior than its close relative, the slightly cheaper Mitsubishi Outlander, with which the X-TRAIL shares petrol engines and platform architecture.

Broadly speaking, you’ll be looking at close to $55K for this up-spec SUV once you pay on-road costs, perhaps with a couple of accessories thrown in.

Nissan offers both five- and seven-seat versions of the X-TRAIL but the latter is only for entry-level ST and ST-L models. The base-grade Nissan X-TRAIL ST starts at $37,750 plus ORCs, while the non-hybrid range tops out at $52,990 for the range-topping Ti-L AWD version. See our separate pricing story for full details.

In early 2023, Nissan will launch the X-TRAIL e-POWER hybrid Ti and Ti-L models, which add a $4200 premium.

At first glance, you can tell the 2022 Nissan X-TRAIL Ti is a bit special via its big 19-inch alloy wheels and chrome accents on its doors, while all models get the shiny grille up front and silver roof rails.

The up-spec Ti adds things like adaptive Matrix LED headlights that automatically adjust the high beam to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic, while inside there’s heated and 10-way power-operated leather-upholstered front seats (available in black or grey) with lumbar adjust.

Three-zone climate control covering the first and second seat rows is part of the package, as are tinted windows and a dual-pane panoramic glass sunroof with tilt and slide functionality.

A power-operated tailgate and automatic wipers are in there too, along with USB-A and USB-C ports front and rear – four in total.

No fewer than 14 exterior paint colours are available, with Champagne Silver (which is like a rose gold) and Sunset Orange the standouts among the standard red, blue, black, white and grey shades. Premium paint ($700) and two-tone paint ($1200) cost extra.

Backed by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with five years of (transferrable) roadside assist, the X-TRAIL doesn’t have class-leading backing like the Mitsubishi Outlander’s 10-year warranty – when serviced with a franchised dealer over that period – or the Kia Sportage’s seven-year cover.

Service costs are middle of the road with AWD X-TRAIL models setting you back $3056 over six years, or an average of $509 per annum.

Service intervals are set every 10,000km or 12 months, whichever occurs first, while 2WD X-TRAIL models are a bit cheaper to service at $2989 over six years or an average of $498 per annum.

In a nutshell, the new 2022 Nissan X-TRAIL is a very safe vehicle. It netted a maximum five-star rating when tested against the latest ANCAP and Euro NCAP criteria.

All models are fitted with seven airbags covering the first and second seat rows, while a centre front airbag now protects against head clashes between the front occupants.

However, like its Mitsubishi Outlander cousin with which it shares its engine, gearbox and (CMF-C) platform architecture, the side curtain airbags do not extend to third-row occupants on seven-seat models.

The X-TRAIL’s active safety systems are pooled under the ‘ProPilot’ moniker and include adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist, which seemed to perform better and more proactively than the Outlander’s systems.

Nissan has done a tremendous job modernising the cockpit of the 2022 Nissan X-TRAIL Ti, with plenty of thought going into the four main digital displays.

The eye is instantly drawn to a large 12.3-inch central touch-screen that has a straightforward and unfussy interface (and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity) adjacent to another 12.3-inch digital driver’s display.

Both have crisp, clear and high-resolution visuals, the driver’s display offering up impressive levels of data and customisation as well. The central touch-screen also imparts 360-degree and reversing camera displays.

On top of that, there’s a handy 10.8-inch head-up display for things like vehicle speed, current speed limit and navigation instructions, so you don’t need to look sideways or down at another screen.

The final digital screen is the rear-view mirror which, at the flick of switch, provides a wider and higher rearward view via a small camera in the back. The clarity is excellent and if you have a boot full of gear or the in-laws’ fat heads obstructing the view it’s a godsend.

A large wireless phone charger is sensibly positioned and angled so that the phone won’t fly out during tight cornering such as navigating roundabouts. (We’re looking at you, Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series…)

Despite Nissan claiming the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet of every non-hybrid 2022 Nissan X-TRAIL is new, it’s been around for quite some time. It’s also the same engine fitted to the Mitsubishi Outlander.

Claimed power and torque is reasonable at 135kW and 244Nm respectively, but nothing to write home about, and the engine itself is low-tech by today’s standards.

However, it pairs up rather effectively with the standard-fit continuously variable transmission (CVT), which offers a manual mode via steering wheel paddle shifters.

Unladen, the new Nissan X-TRAIL Ti accelerates promptly from standstill to 60km/h and is a quiet, calm cruiser. But the engine feels a bit flaccid – and gets noisy – when overtaking at freeway speeds or accelerating uphill.

Nissan says the petrol-powered X-TRAIL can now tow up to 2000kg (braked) – up from 1500kg on the previous generation – and all models come with trailer sway control to reduce jack-knifing episodes.

The lacklustre engine shouldn’t be a deal breaker, but if you want something with more grunt, the incoming X-TRAIL e-POWER with twin electric motors and turbocharged engine that belts out more than double the torque (525Nm) should be worth the extra outlay.

The hybrid version will also be a smart choice for those who don’t want to get slugged at the petrol bowser, because the 2.5-litre four-banger in the regular 2022 Nissan X-TRAIL can be thirsty.

During the launch drive we saw figures for the X-TRAIL Ti as high as 13.1L/100km in the suburbs, while extensive highway, country and open-road driving saw its economy dip as low as 9.2L/100km.

The trip computer had our final figure at 11.1L/100km, which was way off Nissan’s claim of 7.8L/100km.

Cruising around in the 2022 Nissan X-TRAIL for a couple of days was a largely pleasant experience. It’s a genial machine and easy to drive thanks to light, direct steering and predictable (if tame) acceleration.

It’s well suited to urban driving, will be an excellent school bus and proved to be adept in a tight and maze-like underground car park (may I never have to navigate Chadstone shopping centre again), thanks to its precise and effortless steering and reasonable 11.1m turning circle.

An electronic park brake with auto-hold function comes in handy as well.

On 80-100km/h country roads, the X-TRAIL Ti’s suspension deals with its 1668kg mass well, with only moderate body roll through corners – certainly not as much as we’ve found in its Mitsubishi Outlander cousin.

While ride comfort is good, especially considering its fancy 19-inch footwear, it’s not quite as cushy as its Mitsubishi counterpart.

Negatives? There’s no automatic engine idle-stop feature to save fuel at the traffic lights, while we soon grew tired of the beeping from the ProPilot semi-autonomous driving systems, informing us of our apparently poor lane discipline, among other things.

The new 2022 Nissan X-TRAIL can go off-road – up to a point…

We didn’t get to test it on rough roads or even on gravel, which is a shame given the X-TRAIL’s rugged ancestry and – in the all-wheel drive models – five drive modes and hill descent control.

The part-time 4WD system generally drives the front wheels to keep fuel consumption low, but when it detects slippage an electrohydraulic clutch will send torque to the rear axle to improve traction.

The X-TRAIL also has 205mm of ground clearance, which is more than enough to hop over kerbs and even do some light off-roading, but it’s not quite as elevated as the Subaru Forester (220mm).

At Ti level, the new 2022 Nissan X-TRAIL feels superior to the equivalent Mitsubishi Outlander model – and many other mid-size SUVs like the Toyota RAV4 – once you step inside.

It exudes an unexpectedly high-quality aura, and spending time in the driver’s seat of the X-TRAIL Ti left us feeling relaxed and comfortable. The leather seats are a highlight.

Except for the lack of spring-loaded props in the two cup holders, storage solutions are very good.

There’s a sunglasses holder up top, and below the climate controls there’s a large wireless phone charger that doubles as a knick-knack cubby. A large butterfly-opening centre console is backed up by a large storage area underneath the transmission tunnel, the sort typically found in EVs.

All the controls are sensibly laid out and easy to manipulate, and where the Mitsubishi Outlander has some cheap materials and flimsy-feeling rotator dials and buttons, the X-TRAIL delivers better quality across the board.

We also had a blast in the top-spec X-TRAIL Ti-L variant which has luxurious quilted Nappa leather upholstery, available in black or tan-orange, and really takes things to a new level for the SUV.

Rear seat comfort and amenity is much improved with twin USB ports, separate climate controls, air vents, reading lights and seat-back pockets. The sliding rear seats can also deliver more legroom or boot space as required.

There’s an impressively big boot (585 litres with the rear seats up) and a wide tailgate opening, and the cargo area includes a ‘divide-n-hide’ partition system.

The latter is simple but elegant in its implementation, using two removeable floor panels to act as dividers, slotting from horizontal to vertical.

The new 2022 Nissan X-TRAIL makes a positive first impression and the uptick in cabin quality and the depth and accessibility of technology in the high-grade Ti are absolute highlights.

It could be said there’s nothing especially innovative or remarkable about Nissan’s new-generation mid-size SUV, but on balance it’s hard to fault – except for perhaps the mundane petrol engine and the lack of a seven-seat option for Ti and Ti-L model grades.

With 2500 pre-orders in the pipeline and 280,000 cars sold in Australia since the X-TRAIL first landed here in 2001, making Australia the fourth-largest global market, the Japanese brand reckons its new SUV will continue to be popular with Aussie buyers.

If Nissan can maintain solid vehicle supply of the new X-TRAIL, it stands every chance to once again become one of the top-selling SUVs Down Under.

2022 Nissan X-TRAIL Ti at a glance:
Price: $49,990 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 135kW/244Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 7.8L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 183g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2021)