Nissan X-Trail facelift 2024: US-market Rogue debuts updated look, Google Maps and more tech

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Nissan has unveiled a facelifted version of the X-Trail in the United States debuting a suite of updated technology and a fresh new look, which are expected to carry across to the Australian model some time next year.

The popular midsize SUV, which is built in Tennessee and badged as the Rogue in America, made its debut some two years earlier than the Japan-built model sold in Australia.

Due to the differences in regional release scheduling, some of the elements sold on the updated Rogue are already available on the 2023 Nissan X-Trail, but others such as the updated new look, wireless Android Auto capability and a more efficient 1.5L engine are not.

As a medium SUV, the X-Trail competes with the likes of the Toyota RAV4, Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander and Mazda CX-5. 

When will the updated X-Trail come to Australia?

A spokesperson from Nissan Australia told Chasing Cars it was aware of the updates to the fourth-generation Rogue/X-Trail, which it pointed out was launched much earlier in late 2020. 

“There are no imminent mid-life revisions yet finalised for X-Trail here where it is still relatively new in the marketplace – keeping in mind the most significant difference is that Nissan offers the X-Trail here with the advanced E-Power electrified powertrain, which isn’t available to Rogue buyers in North America,” they said.

With most Japanese brands operating on a loose five-year lifecycle, the changes made to the US-market X-Trail could be considered a midlife update and could likely carry across to Australia in 2024. 

Updated interior and exterior design

An updated ‘V-Motion’ grille design is the highlight change of the exterior, with the chrome-heavy look a stark contrast to the current blacked-out appearance of the Australian model. The lower section of the bumper around the headlights has also been reshaped, as has the lower air intake.

The variant shown here is the Platinum variant, which is effectively the equivalent of the X-Trail Ti-L sold in Australia, sitting above the ST, ST-L and Ti grades, and is available in the choice of five or seven seats depending on the specification. 

All of the traditional plastics around the wheel arches and lower section of the doors have been replaced with a material featuring a more satin black look, while at the rear, the bumper swaps out the silver inlay for a more uniform black look. 

Nissan has also added new 19-inch alloy wheels as an option for the range. 

The interior of the US-market Rogue is largely a catch-up exercise to the Australian model, with Nissan replacing the old 9.0-inch touchscreen with the huge 12.3-inch display already sold here. An eight-inch display remains on lower grades, as is the case here. 

In some good news for lovers of brown interiors, a new chestnut leather trim option has been added to the range. The rear seats also miss out on the centre-seat pass-through available on Australian models. 

Other notable upgrades include a heated steering wheel, but the real changes inside are more to do with the tech. 

Google Maps, wireless Android Auto and more

Along with the jump to a bigger screen, Nissan has added a host of new software.

This includes native integration of Amazon’s Alexa or, if you prefer Google, then its voice assistant technology is available along with Maps and other apps through the Play Store.

While the entry-level eight-inch display retains a wired connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the 12.3-inch unit in the US model pulls ahead of its Australian counterpart by offering wireless connectivity for both, instead of just for Apple devices as it does currently. 

Nissan has also fitted out the US-market X-Trail with a hybrid radio system that supplements FM radio with a cellular connection to retain quality in patchy rural areas. 

Finally, the 360-degree camera now features a 3D function in an attempt to make parking easier. 

The Rogue also bolsters its safety suite which includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with junction assist, rear cross-traffic alert and reversing AEB and more, but these features are currently available on the Australian models. 

1.5L three-cylinder still on the wishlist

Shortly after the Rogue was first released in the US, Nissan’s North American arm discontinued the 135kW/244Nm 2.5L naturally-aspirated four-cylinder engine in favour of the smaller, more powerful and more efficient 149kW/305Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder motor.

In Australia, the X-Trail is available with the 2.5L engine as the entry-level petrol option, while the 1.5L three-pot can only be had in the ‘E-Power’ variant, where it serves as the generator to power the electric motors on the front and rear axles.

Chasing Cars was previously told by the local arm of the brand that the Nissan X-Trail hybrid would remain the sole beneficiary of the smaller engine, and was confident in the ability of the 2.5L to cater for the current generation. 

But in the face of the very competitive medium SUV, it remains to be seen if this will be the case with the arrival of the facelifted model.