Nissan X-TRAIL N-TREK AWD 2020 Review

The Nissan X-TRAIL went mainstream in 2014 when the third-generation model ditched the boxy, but space-efficient shape that had identified it since its beginnings in 2002.

The original X-TRAIL was somewhat notable for its ability to take on loads beyond the capability of many other mid-size SUVs, as well as for the fact that it could go at least a little way off the beaten track. The angular profiles assured it looked the part too.

In some ways it is surprising that the current X-TRAIL – now stylistically inseparable from the bulk of its peers in the mid-size SUV segment – remains bigger than most. Wheelbase, overall length, height: all tend to be up on the competition, the only deficit being its middle-of-the-road body width.

Maybe contradicting this is the fact that, like-for-like, the Nissan X-TRAIL is inclined to be on the lighter side of the scales as well.

Following a swag of limited-build specials among today’s Nissan model line-up, the most recent is the N-TREK variant of the X-TRAIL. Based on the 126kW/226Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol, five-seat X-TRAIL ST-L, but, at either $2000 or $1000 dearer depending on whether it’s front-drive or AWD, the N-TREK adds numerous sweeteners, mainly cosmetic.

These comprise a “smoked” bonnet protector, front and rear side-window weather shields and front and rear kick plates – and floor mats – all made more meaningful via the fitment of 19-inch alloy wheels borrowed from the Ti and TL X-TRAIL variants.

Regular X-TRAIL ST-L equipment on the N-TREK includes a bird’s eye (360-degree) camera system with moving-object detection, heated and powered front seats, front-row seat heating, part-leather trim and a digital (DAB+) radio playing through a six-speaker sound system.

The downside is that Apple CarPlay/Android Auto still fail to make their way into any X-TRAIL model.

The Nissan X-TRAIL N-TREK is tagged, before on-road costs, at $40,700 for the AWD and $38,700 as a front-driver.

This makes the AWD N-TREK dearer by $2000 than its ST-L equivalent. The front-drive N-TREK, on the other hand is, despite being trimmed-out identically, is only $1000 more expensive than its similarly-driven (five-seat) ST-L equivalent, which is priced at $37,700.

One suspects that the front-drive-only ST-L seven-seater, sitting right in the middle at $39,300, could be a bit of a spoiler here.

Servicing and warranty?

Nissan, an early (1980s) adopter of extended warranties, was late to the party with the newest round of extensions. It finally succumbed in early 2019 when it signed up to a five-year/unlimited-kilometre deal that (apart from the luxury segment) replicates what most of the industry is doing.

Along with 12-month/10,000km servicing, Nissan is now also offering no-cost roadside assistance during the whole warranty period.

The Nissan X-TRAIL was never intended to be a hard-charging, sporty mid-size SUV and the N-TREK branding doesn’t change any of that.

The (much) bigger 19-inch wheels, complimented by the 225/55 tyres (the ST-L gets 17-inch wheels with 225/60 tyres) bring more grip, but possibly add a bit of ride harshness and sharp-bump sensitivity that’s normally only to be found in identically-tyred top-spec Ti and TL X-TRAILs.

And although cornering grip is fine, the steering remains quite light, quite vague and, turning from lock-to-lock with three full spins of the wheel, is not particularly quick. The 11.3m turning circle is not especially tight either (major top-five SUV competitors manage 11 metres or less).

Although it’s helped by a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that uses artificially-created “gears” to straddle the line between CVTs and conventional torque-converter gearboxes and generally (but not always) avoids the constant-rpm drone that afflicts many others of its ilk, the 2.5-litre aspirated petrol four-cylinder feels a bit out of sorts these days. A bit noisy and not particularly revvy, it’s less refined than some of its peers.

And though the X-TRAIL is quick enough both in town and on the freeway, it’s not the most economical in its class where technology (such as in the Toyota RAV4 eFour’s hybrid or in the efficient small-capacity turbo found in the Hyundai Tucson Elite) appears to have taken a leap that has left Nissan floundering.

The N-TREK’s claimed economy figure is 8.3L/100km, which is not bad and close to achievable (we recorded 9.1L/100km), but still short of the also 2.5-litre Mazda CX-5’s 7.4L/100km or, even more markedly, of the 4.8L/100km claimed for Toyota’s RAV4 eFour hybrid.

When it went on sale across Australia in late 2019, the Nissan X-TRAIL N-TREK joined a list of siblings covering ST and ST-L in five and seven-seat configurations and with front or all-wheel drive.

The broadly available 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine covers all levels except the base ST and the premium TS and TL variants, which are both AWD and CVT, and both powered by a 130kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel.

The base five-seat X-TRAIL ST uses a lone 106kW/200Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and is the only model available with a six-speed manual gearbox – the rest, including the N-TREK and the seven-seat ST, are all CVT-equipped.

After what amounts to six years on the market – given the odd equipment adjustment and cosmetic makeover – the Nissan X-TRAIL, judged by its measured internal dimensions and real-life experience, is one handy mid-size SUV.

There’s room to stretch out here, up, down and sideways. At 565 litres, the boot is not readily matched in this segment and the total luggage space, all seats folded, feels much more than the quoted 945-litre figure suggests. A full-size mountain bike fits without trouble and there’s a handy, secure load area beneath the rear floor carpet, topped by a removable lid, that can be slotted-in vertically, Renault Kadjar style, to establish a handy divide for the rear compartment.

Considering that very early X-TRAILs were allowed to drag along a lot more (up to two tonnes), the towing capacity is not impressive: At 1500kg for a braked trailer, boat or caravan it must be seen as limited – and the premium TL and TS diesels, at 1650kg each, are not a lot better.

If there’s some centrifugally-induced sideways shuffling for rear passengers sitting high, stadium-style, in the (reclining) 60:40 through-loading split-fold rear seats as the X-TRAIL N-TREK negotiates twists and turns in the road, the padding is good enough that they should at least find themselves well-supported and comfortable after a big trip.

Bonus points go to the deep, capacious centre console bin and the rear air vents, but the low-res reversing camera and foot-operated parking brake are demerits. And the N-TREK’s tacked-on side window deflectors, particularly those in the front doors, do little other than hamper the driver’s view around the right-side A-Pillar.

As mid-size SUVs go, the Nissan X-TRAIL pushes the boundaries in the right direction.

There’s no denying its practicalities. In fact of its fitting so neatly into the prerequisites for an entirely useful volume-selling SUV just about over-rides the baggage of its less-appealing dynamic characteristics. It must remain as something of a benchmark for those wishing to play in this astoundingly popular segment of the new car market.

The sales figures tell us something: With 19,726 X-TRAILs sold locally in 2019, the Nissan is third among the top-five mid-sizers including the chart-busting Mazda CX-5 (25,539 sales), second placegetter Toyota RAV4 (24,260), Hyundai Tucson (fourth at 18,251) and Mitsubishi Outlander (fifth at 17,514).

Though the Nissan X-TRAIL Is nothing extraordinary dynamically, it’s among the best in terms of cabin accommodation and luggage-carrying.

But it’s uncertain whether or not buyers should be encouraged to fork out the extra $1000 or $2000 for the X-TRAIL N-TREK: It buys little more than an attractive set of wheels.

If special editions are a means of grabbing extra brand-attention, maybe the 500-only X-TRAIL N-TREKs to be offered will play a role luring potential customers into showrooms where they may end up considering other ways of speccing-up their new Nissans.