Nissan Australia this month has updated the existing X-Trail midsize SUV with modern smartphone connectivity in a move designed to extend the life of the crossover a little further.
This isn’t the X-Trail update many have been waiting for, though, with the all-new model available for nearly a year overseas still not available to Australia.
The third-generation X-Trail went on sale in the United States in 2020 where it is badged the Rogue. Nissan’s new midsize SUV sits on a new platform shared with the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander that will arrive in Australia later this year.
Nissan has updated the X-Trail with its successor nowhere to be seen in Australia
The new generation brings increased safety, performance and tech but for now, Chasing Cars understands that while the new X-Trail will be coming to Australia, nothing has yet been officially confirmed.
The second-generation X-Trail first went on sale in 2014 and while it is showing signs of age it remains a steady seller here in Australia, with Nissan’s latest update giving the midsize SUV some important new features with an affordable entry price of $30,665 before on-road costs.
Chief among those updates is the inclusion of wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with a bigger seven-inch touchscreen with both updates standard across the range.
Nissan Australia has not confirmed when the third-generation will arrive here
The Nissan X-Trail is available in either front or all-wheel-drive, five or seven seats and is available in multiple grades starting with the ST, TS, ST-L and topping out with the Ti.
The appearance of the X-Trail has largely remained unchanged for 2021 with the base ST and TS grades fitted with 17-inch wheels and the ST-L receiving a new 18-inch wheel design.
On the inside, the X-Trail now features digital radio as standard on the ST and TS, along with keyless entry, daytime running lights, a limited-slip differential, a rearview camera and a 40/20/40 split-fold rear second-row making it easier and safer to live with every day.
The 2021 X-Trail has gained a new seven-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Stepping up to the X-Trail ST-L adds dual-zone climate control, fog lights, satellite navigation, roof rails and leather pointed seats and steering wheel with the driver eight-way adjustable heated seats and the front passenger four-way adjustable heated seats.
The X-Trail ST-L grades take a noticeable step up in safety with blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera. For 2021, the X-Trail ST-L and Ti also gain more safety with Intelligent Driver Alert which monitors driver’s fatigue and alerts the driver to take a break if needed.
The top-spec X-Trail Ti grade is the only grade fitted with pedestrian-detecting automatic emergency braking detection and lane keep assist, with both of those features standard on rivals such as the Mazda CX-5.
The X-Trail can be had with either front- or all-wheel-drive 2021 rear drive
Nissan also adds niceties to the X-Trail Ti such as LED headlights, larger 19-inch wheels, a sunroof and an eight-speaker Bose stereo along with heating for the rear seats and steering wheel.
Powering the X-Trail is a choice of three engines, with the range starting with the base ST that uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol paired to a six-speed manual that sends 106kW of power and 200Nm of torque to the front wheels.
Going for the top-spec X-Trail Ti adds a leather appointed interior and a slew of safety equipment
Available in the X-Trail ST and ST-L is the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which puts out 126kW/226Nm to a CVT-automatic and is available in either front or all-wheel drive. The X-Trail Ti also uses this engine but is paired exclusively with an AWD system.
Fitted exclusively to the X-Trail TS is a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that develops 130kW/380Nm that is put through the same CVT transmission and is only available in all-wheel-drive.
The 2021 X-Trail is currently available in showrooms with more details on the third-generation likely to follow soon.
Nissan X-Trail 2021: prices in Australia
All prices listed are before on-road costs.
- ST FWD Manual: $30,665
- ST FWD Auto: $32,665
- ST FWD Auto seven-seater: $34,265
- ST AWD Auto: $34,665
- TS AWD Auto: $37,465
- ST-L FWD Auto: $38,525
- ST-L FWD Auto seven-seater: $40,125
- ST-L AWD Auto: $40,525
- Ti AWD Auto: $45,965