Review: 2023 Nissan X-TRAIL

WINNER OF THE 2023 DRIVE CAR OF THE YEAR AWARD FOR AUSTRALIA'S BEST MEDIUM SUV

Nissan has revamped several models recently including the X-TRAIL, the carmaker’s popular mid-size SUV. Now in its fourth generation, the X-TRAIL has received some significant design and technology upgrades.

We recently spent some time with the five-seat, all-wheel drive Ti variant to see how it stacks up against its competitors.

Initial Impression

From first appearances, the new X-TRAIL offers a sleek, modern silhouette accented by sharper lines and moving away from the curves of its frumpy, crossover-style predecessor. The updated styling exhibits stability and confidence which lends itself well to its upgraded off-road capabilities.

Jumping inside, you’re greeted by a tidy, well-appointed interior with plenty of soft touch-points including the leather-accented steering wheel that fits comfortably in your hand. Your seat behind the steering wheel is ideal with a wide field-of-view, easy-to-reach centre console, as well as adjustable seating and steering wheel positions.

Driveability

The new X-TRAIL’s 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine is coupled with a continuously variable transmission that gives it a smooth ride around town and deceptive acceleration that has no issues getting you up to highway speeds. The heads-up display available on the Ti and Ti-L is a great addition for safety and convenience allowing you to keep your eyes on the road while keeping an eye on your speed and road conditions. These two trim levels also feature a huge 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with various display options available to keep you informed on your vehicle’s status throughout your commute.

Focusing on increased versatility, Nissan has given the AWD versions of the X-TRAIL five selectable driving modes - Auto, Eco, Sport, Snow and Off-Road - and has also included Hill Descent Control into the centre of the drive mode selector. We enjoyed the easy-to-use safety features such as the intelligent cruise control and intelligent lane intervention systems available through Nissan’s ProPILOT system of technologies. This system was helpful enough to provide alerts without taking away our focus like some other overbearing competitor systems.

LIVEABILITY

Where the X-TRAIL stands out is in its technology and comforts which reflects Nissan’s effort to market this new generation of X-TRAIL as their most advanced SUV to date. The interior is spacious from the front seats to the rear seats and back into the boot. There is a significant change to the centre console with the whole unit being raised a few inches and we loved how handy this makes things for the driver. All controls on the centre console are now within even easier reach, it’s comfortably positioned as an armrest, and, the best part - it has also opened up a large storage space below the console meaning you have way more storage within easy-reaching distance for the driver meaning you’re not shoving your personal items in cupholders and ill-shaped storage cubbies. It also comes complete with a rubberised surface to keep those items from sliding around while on the move!

Not only do all Ti and Ti-L models receive our favourite convenience combination - the Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless charging station - Nissan has put some thought into the design of the charging station. The oversized platform has a raised lip and sits on a forward slant which is enough to secure your smartphone while on the move - no matter what size.

Nissan has improved the rear seat area of the X-TRAIL which should make it a hit with parents. The legroom is great and there’s a USB-A and USB-C charging port plus a dedicated set of air conditioning vents. Our favourite feature of the rear seats, however, is the widened entry. The doors now open almost a full ninety degrees which increase the utility of the space by an impressive amount.

COST

The full range of the X-TRAIL is available with a four-cylinder, 2.5-litre petrol engine and CVT across four trim levels starting at $40,161 driveaway. The base and second-level trims, the ST and ST-L, are both available in either a front-wheel drive, five-seat configuration or an all-wheel-drive, seven-seat configuration, while the upper-level trims, the Ti and Ti-L, are only available in a five-seat all-wheel drive configuration. The range tops out at $56,887 driveaway for the Ti-L while the model we tested - the Ti - comes in at $53,797.

Furthermore, for the Ti and Ti-L variants, Nissan is also bringing their brand-new hybrid technology to the X-TRAIL. e-POWER utilises EV technology perfected in the Nissan LEAF to boost performance and efficiency and includes e-4ORCE, Nissan’s all-new electric-drive four-wheel control technology. When the e-POWER versions arrive in early 2023, you can expect to pick these up for $57,506 and $60,566 for the Ti and Ti-L respectively.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the all-new X-TRAIL is a forward-thinking, technology-driven family SUV that offers a little bit of everything. Versatility seems to be a key factor in its appeal as Nissan ensures the X-TRAIL is a capable vehicle in a range of settings. We can agree with Nissan’s claim that this X-TRAIL is their most advanced SUV yet as the suite of technology for both safety and comfort is quite a comprehensive one.

If you’re keen to check out the all-new X-TRAIL for yourself, be sure to speak to the team at Motorama Nissan. Book a test drive today or get in touch to stay informed about the latest on e-POWER variants.