Nissan X-TRAIL ST-L 2WD 2026 Review

Considering the fourth generation (T33) was released in late 2022, the range deserved a refresh. And so, it has, with a tweaked exterior aesthetic, increased plush materials inside and extra tech. Naturally, that doesn’t come for free, with prices growing by $1150 across the board.

The 2026 Nissan X-TRAIL ST-L 2WD we’re testing here is at the lower end of the model walk at $42,615 (all prices exclude on-road costs). It comes fitted with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine powering the front wheels and houses five seats.

Progress up the food chain and the X-TRAIL offers a hybrid powertrain (branded e-POWER), all-wheel drive (AWD) and the option of seven seats, which remains a trump card in the medium SUV segment. Oddly, you can only gain seven seats with AWD.

You’ll need at least $38,140 for the entry-level ST and the range tops out at $58,215 for the Ti-L e-POWER. Essentially, adding AWD or electrification is circa $3000 and $6300 respectively. Meanwhile, Nissan has announced that front-wheel drive e-POWER variants are on the way.

If you require the benefits of a 5+2-style seating arrangement, then the Mitsubishi Outlander remains a strong choice, especially with revised suspension and steering which was carried out Down Under.

Otherwise, the refreshed Kia Sportage and next-gen Toyota RAV4 must be on your shopping list if five seats will suffice.

According to the brand, the 2026 Nissan X-TRAIL ST-L 2WD (and the rest of the range) gains “a distinct new facia with an evolved V-Motion grille”.

To us, ‘distinct’ and ‘evolved’ are doing the heavy lifting in that sentence, but it remains a handsome medium SUV. The front and rear bumpers, LED lights as well as some of the 18- and 19-inch alloys are also redesigned. Two new exterior colours (Deep Ocean Blue and Everest White) join the palette, while ‘Chestnut’ is added to the hues available inside.

In terms of kit, the ST-L packs a punch with 18-inch alloys, proximity-based keyless entry and push-button start, (mostly) genuine leather, dual-zone climate control and a revised leather-wrapped steering wheel. A significant upgrade for this model is the inclusion of powered, 10-way adjustable seats for both front pews. They also feature two-way lumbar adjustment and heating.

A boon for buyers looking to hold onto their X-TRAIL for several years is the company’s 10-year/300,000-kilometre warranty, which also includes roadside assistance for the same period. It’s condition-based, meaning you must attend an authorised Nissan dealer for maintenance. If you don’t, a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty still applies.

Capped-price servicing is capped at $399 per annum for the first five years, which is about on par with key rivals. The intervals have also been extended to 12 months or 15,000km.

For the model update, the 2026 Nissan X-TRAIL ST-L 2WD gains a few important upgrades, including T-Junction view, an eight-point 3D Around view monitor and Skeleton Hood View. Essentially, seeing around the car in various scenarios is vastly improved.

The brand’s ProPILOT suite of active safety is also included and is highlighted by autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition and rear cross traffic alert.

Joining the camera additions are parking sensors front and rear, a traditional reversing camera as well as seven airbags, ISOFIX points and top-tether anchorages. The X-TRAIL is also fitted with road sign recognition and driver monitoring.

When ProPILOT (active cruise control) is engaged it can be overly intrusive in terms of the active lane keeping – it constantly tugs at the steering wheel. Switch it off and everything is much easier to live with.

Nissan’s Connected Car Services is now fitted to all X-TRAILs, which affords remote vehicle monitoring and control capabilities straight to your smartphone. It’s a subscription-based service, with the first three years included.

A sore point of previous lower-grade models was the 8.0-inch touchscreen, but that’s not the case with the 2026 Nissan X-TRAIL ST-L 2WD. It has been elevated to the swish 12.3-inch infotainment unit across the board. It’s a much-needed boost to the tech offering, with appealing graphics and a menu structure that’s easy to digest.

However, the ST-L doesn’t gain the widescreen digital instrument cluster used in higher model grades, therefore traditional analogue dials for engine revs and speed flank a 7.0-inch display. It works well enough despite its more budget appearance.

Elsewhere, the X-TRAIL gains all the goodies you’d expect like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (previously wired), a wireless charge pad, USB-C ports, voice recognition, Bluetooth, DAB+ digital radio and a six-speaker audio system.

Some might baulk at the fact there’s no inbuilt navigation.

The fact you don’t really take much notice of what’s under the bonnet of the 2026 Nissan X-TRAIL ST-L 2WD says a lot about the 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol. It gets the job done, but nothing more.

And the giveaway is in the name, being that it sends all its 135kW and 244Nm to the front wheels alone. A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is called up, but it isn’t quite the negative this type of gearbox can be. It has seven stepped ratios and does a decent job of mitigating drone. 

Yet, it can’t totally be masked. And the four-cylinder engine can become vocal. Having steering wheel-mounted paddles allows you to take control, but there’s never too much power on hand to tap into. But again, it delivers what it needs to.

On paper, the 2026 Nissan X-TRAIL ST-L 2WD appears relatively efficient compared to its class rivals. The brand claims an official combined average of 7.4L/100km.

The reality is somewhat different, with our figure hovering at more than 10L/100km while confined to the CBD. Only when stretching the ST-L’s legs during highway testing does the overall average lower to 9.6L/100km.

A saving grace is the fact the 55-litre tank will accept 91 RON unleaded fuel. However, if being frugal matters to you, stepping up to the more expensive e-POWER could be a valid option.

The 2026 Nissan X-TRAIL ST-L 2WD is as dynamically capable as it needs to be.

Traction is never too much of an issue with the FWD layout as the Bridgestone tyres deal with the modest amount of power. Finding purchase on wet surfaces is a more difficult task, but the X-TRAIL rarely struggles for grip. Body roll is also kept largely in check while cornering, too.

While it’s not a dealbreaker, the ride quality isn’t as absorbing as you might hope for or expect. Especially at slower speeds around pockmarked city streets. Things smooth out on the open road and the X-TRAIL delivers a comfortable experience on highways and in country areas. Kids in the back will also appreciate the fact the damping is nicely tuned, meaning it doesn’t bobble about too much.

It isn’t the final word in feel, but the steering is suitably calibrated for CBD use with light responses. And without hybrid regeneration, the brake pedal is simple to modulate with positive readback and response.

There are drive modes, but they’re rather redundant as Sport makes the throttle overly sensitive and adds unneeded weight to the steering. The most attention the drive modes will receive is when passengers giggle at the fact the controller is branded ‘D Mode’.

Oh, and it’s a given that the X-TRAIL will no longer help you seek off-road adventure – particularly this variant. Although, the 205mm of ground clearance is better than average and the braked towing capacity is 2000kg.

It might sound harsh, but interior fit and finish hasn’t been a Nissan strong suit in the past. For most of the line-up, that’s now changed.

The 2026 Nissan X-TRAIL ST-L 2WD is a proponent of this. And considering the ST-L is only one rung off the bottom of the pecking order, it’s an impressive effort. Step inside and it certainly doesn’t feel like you’re being gipped out of luxe touches. It might not win design awards, but it’s a nice place to be for $42,615 (plus ORCs).

Yet what impresses most is how darn easy it is to use. There’s no searching for the user manual or traipsing back to the dealership for a tutorial. There are physical buttons for often-needed controls, the gear lever is conventional, and the steering wheel embodies multi-function. Great outward vision adds to the friendly nature.

Gripes aren’t prominent, but the fact the on-screen icons become quite small when using Apple CarPlay is annoying, while the levels of noise, vibration and harshness could be improved – you definitely hear certain bumps.

The five-seat ST-L claws back points in a big way by being spacious and pragmatic thanks to the sliding/reclining pews. Kids and adults alike – or a mix of both – will find heaps of head and legroom in the back, while the doors also open nice and wide (90 degrees) for placing car seats.

Amenities are covered off by air vents, USB ports, map pockets, bottle holders in the doors and a fold-down centre armrest.

Sans third row, the boot is cavernous. The official capacity is 585 litres, which is enough to swallow all the luggage that accompanies a family holiday. If need be, the 40/20/40-split folding rear seats can be stowed, while the ‘Divide-N-Hide’ cargo management system does just that.

A space-saver spare wheel hides under the boot floor.

It’s hard not to ask, ‘how did we get here?’. The original version of this homogenised SUV had its own distinct flavour; one that not only tried to live up to its adventurous nameplate but actually did.

The 2026 Nissan X-TRAIL ST-L 2WD is the antithesis of that rugged concept.

Yet it isn’t Nissan’s fault given that the respected Japanese marque is merely following contemporary buyer habits. Balance sheets mean more than niche offerings – a point proven by the X-TRAIL amassing more than 330,000 sales in its lifetime.

That’s not to say the X-TRAIL is a bad SUV. The ST-L is quite the opposite, in fact.  

It covers all the bases punters in this segment want without frivolous frills – or any off-road ability. The latter has been replaced with premium touches and pragmatic liveability, which rates far higher with a broader demographic.    

2026 Nissan X-TRAIL ST-L 2WD at a glance:
Price: $42,615 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 135kW/245Nm
Transmission: Constantly variable transmission
Fuel: 7.4L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2: 174g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2021)

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