Nissan X-TRAIL – What you need to know

Sitting on an all-new platform and introduced late 2022, the fourth-generation Nissan X-TRAIL has significantly raised the bar in technology, refinement and luxury.

Boasting a greater towing capacity of up to two tonnes, the new Nissan X-TRAIL introduces a clever turbocharged petrol-electric hybrid driveline (e-POWER) in addition to a beefed-up 2.5-litre petrol engine carried over from the previous generation.

Available in four trim levels (ST, ST-L, Ti and Ti-L) with a choice of five or seven seats and front- (2WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), the Nissan X-TRAIL ranges from $36,750 to $57,190 plus on-road costs.

Kicking off at $36,750 plus ORCs is the entry-level (2WD) ST five-seater with its 2.5-litre petrol engine and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). It comes with the following standard features:

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• 8.0-inch infotainment touch-screen
• Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio
• Rear-view camera
• Rear parking sensors
• Cruise control
• Steering wheel paddle shifts

Premium paint on the new Nissan X-TRAIL is an across-the-range option for $700, while two-tone paint adds $1200. Two of the nine single colours available are non-premium.

The fourth-generation Nissan X-TRAIL includes the Japanese car-maker’s latest safety and driver assist tech.

All models are fitted with predictive forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with traffic sign recognition, trailer sway control, blind spot warning/intervention, lane departure warning/intervention, rear cross traffic alert/braking, driver attention monitoring and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist recognition and junction assist.

There’s also hill start assist, ABS brakes, electronic stability and traction control, LED headlights with high beam assist, and seven airbags – dual front, front side, front centre and a curtain airbag covering the first and second rows only.

Stepping up to the ST-L gains an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, 360-degree monitor with moving object detection, front parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring and PROPILOT lane keep assist.

Another step up to the Ti in either petrol or hybrid guise snares an intelligent rear-view mirror, adaptive driving beam headlights, acoustic vehicle alert (up to 30km/h), hill descent control and automatic front wipers.

The 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL has a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

ST and ST-L versions of the Nissan X-TRAIL use an 8.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system that features Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth music and phone connectivity, voice recognition and a six-speaker audio unit.

Both the ST and ST-L also have a 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster.

Moving up to the Ti grade brings a bigger 12.3-inch TFT instrument display, 10.8-inch head-up display and a 12.3-inch infotainment touch-screen with sat-nav and wireless Apple and Android smartphone connectivity.

A wireless phone charging pad is also provided, while the stereo grows to a 10-speaker premium Bose system.

Active noise cancelling is found only in the hybrid e-POWER Ti and Ti-L variants.

All models have four USB ports, both Type A and C, and two 12-volt outlets.

With the exception of the entry-level five-seater ST, all variants of the new Nissan X-TRAIL have a handy triple-split (40/20/40) second-row bench seat that not only folds down but slides fore/aft and reclines. The five-seater ST makes do with a fixed 60/40-split folding rear seat with recline function.

Five-seater models from the ST-L up also feature a Divide-’N’-Hide configurable storage system, while for extra convenience the hybrid versions come with a luggage board system with 16 configurations.

All X-TRAIL models score LEDs for the headlights, tail-lights and daytime running lights, a rear roof spoiler, roof rails and electric-folding door mirrors with indicators.

Step up to the ST-L and you’ll notice privacy glass from the rear doors back, plus LED fog lights and 18-inch alloy wheels (up from 17”).

Do you want powered and heated front seats? Stay with the X-TRAIL ST-L and its synthetic leather heated front seats, 10-way powered driver’s seat along with year-round comfort thanks to its dual-zone climate control. Every variant has rear air vents.

Tri-zone climate control ups the ante in the petrol and hybrid Ti models, as do adaptive Matrix LED headlights and indicators.

If you want power adjustment for the front passenger’s seat (as well as the driver’s) and an interior draped in genuine leather, write your name against a Ti.

The comforts of soft-quilted Nappa leather, a heated steering wheel, heated front and outer rear seats are yours in both Ti-L variants.

This model grade also introduces memory functions for the driver’s seat and exterior mirror position, downward-tilting door mirrors when in reverse, a motion-activated power tailgate, built-in rear door shades and a tilt and slide panoramic glass roof.

Helping set the Ti apart from lesser models are its 19-inch alloy wheels, silver lower panels front and back, and chrome side mouldings; the ST and ST-L have grey lower panels and black side mouldings.

It’s not just the black accents in the grille but also unique badging and distinctive 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels that make the Ti and Ti-L e-POWER hybrids stand out.

Powering most Nissan X-TRAIL models is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 135kW of power and 244Nm of torque. It’s tied to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with seven-step manual mode and paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.

Three drive modes – Auto, Eco and Sport – are offered on the front-wheel drive ST and ST-L variants, while the 4WD-equipped Ti and Ti-L add Sport, Snow and Off-Road.

The e-4ORCE 4WD Ti and Ti-L e-POWER hybrids feature a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine boosted by front and rear electric motors, for a combined 157kW and 330Nm.

These e-POWER hybrids have the same five drive modes as their AWD petrol model equivalents.

A unique feature of the hybrids is e-Pedal Step that, once activated, is designed to accelerate and brake using only the accelerator above 10km/h. The accelerator operates in its normal fashion, but when you take your foot off it brakes the vehicle.

The new Nissan X-TRAIL has a bigger footprint than the previous third generation, measuring 4680mm long, 2065mm wide and 1725mm tall. Wheelbase length remains at 2705mm.

It offers a ground clearance of up to 205mm (e-POWER versions have a lower 187mm clearance).

Gross vehicle mass ranges from 2040kg to 2380kg, depending on the variant, while kerb weight similarly spans a 1540-1911kg range.

The maximum braked towing capacity is 2000kg on all models except the e-POWER hybrids, which drop to 1650kg.

Cargo capacity in the five-seater X-TRAIL models is 575-585 litres with the rear seats upright (again, hybrid models offering the lower figure), while seven-seater models can hold 465L when the third-row seats are folded. Note that these figures are to the roof, whereas some other models quote capacity to the window line.

The extra boost in power and torque of the 2.5-litre petrol engine in the 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL is both welcome and noticeable, and if the budget is a bit tight the ST-L delivers an excellent mix of safety, comfort and infotainment features at a very competitive price.

However, having sampled the e-POWER in a Nissan X-TRAIL Ti-L, the hybrid model’s extra performance and economy, both around town and on the open road, make it a winner. There’s also no plug-in charging to worry about.

Add to that all-wheel drive and a very long list of safety and infotainment tech features – plus sumptuous and extremely comfortable Nappa leather seats.

This top-shelf model won my heart and is the one I’d go for, despite the premium price.

How much does the 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL cost?
ST 2WD – $36,750
ST 4WD 7-seat – $39,790
ST-L 2WD – $43,190
ST-L 4WD 7-seat – $46,290
Ti 4WD – $49,990
Ti-L 4WD – $52,990
Ti e-POWER 4WD – $54,190
Ti-L e-POWER 4WD – $57,190
*Prices exclude on-road costs