Nissan X-Trail gains new grade for 2022, all-new model arrives later

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Nissan has updated the X-Trail yet again for 2022 as the popular midsize SUV marks time before its all-new replacement arrives in the second half of next year.

Available from December 2021, the updated MY22 X-Trail builds on range updates announced earlier this year that finally made Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across the range.

Marking the X-Trail’s 20th anniversary, the 2022 line-up introduces a new ST+ model, that sits above the entry-level ST grade but below the ST-L and top-spec Ti.

Like the X-Trail ST and ST-L, the ST+ will be offered in five-seat FWD and five-seat AWD, though only ST and ST-L offer a seven-seat FWD variant.  The Ti remains a five-seat AWD-only affair.

For MY22, the AWD TS diesel model has been discontinued after take up dropped to less than one percent of total sales, leaving little hope for an oil-burner option to continue in the X-Trail’s next generation.

The current X-Trail launched in March 2014 and was a big step forward over its agricultural predecessor, though it now finds itself surrounded by much newer and more capable rivals such as the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, Mazda CX-5 and Subaru Forester. Yet it remains Nissan Australia’s best-selling model and continues to sell well in the midsize SUV category.

The 2022 X-Trail, grade by grade

Nissan retains the X-Trail’s keen $30,665 (before on-road costs) entry price for the ST when equipped with a six-speed manual transmission.

The manual is exclusively mated to a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine that sends 106kW of power and 200Nm of torque to the front wheels.

All other models feature a larger 2.5-litre engine of the same configuration, producing more grunt at 126kW/226Nm and paired to a CVT automatic transmission with front-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive as a cost option.

As standard, the X-Trail is dressed with 17-inch alloy wheels and daytime running lights with halogen headlights while on the inside, buyers now find a sharper 7.0-inch touchscreen with digital radio along with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 

The X-Trail was given a five-star safety rating by ANCAP back in 2017 under the more lenient protocols of the time, and features a limited amount of safety as standard when compared to its rivals.

These include:

• Six airbags
• Reversing camera
• Front AEB with collision warning
• Dual ISOFIX points

The new X-Trail ST+ bolsters this list significantly with a 360-degree camera with motion detection along with both front and rear parking sensors. Satellite navigation is the only other upgrade on the ST+ grade.

Moving to the ST-L brings a few extras including larger 18-inch alloy wheels, heated door mirrors, front fog lamps and roof rails that can hold up to 100kg.

Inside, the buyers are upgraded to dual-zone climate control and leather-accented seats with a matching steering wheel.

The front row gains heated seats with six-way power adjustment for the driver and four-way power adjustment for the front passenger. Buyers also pick up some active safety features including blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

As the range-topping variant, the X-Trail Ti dresses to look the part with larger 19-inch alloy wheels and classier LED headlights.

It also gains convenience features like a power tailgate (with a kick sensor), along with a sunroof, heated steering wheel and heated rear seats. The sound system is also upgraded to an eight-speaker Bose set-up.

Safety is bolstered with a suite of active features including lane-departure warning, lane-holding assist, auto high-beam, and adaptive cruise control. The Ti’s upgraded AEB system has the ability to detect pedestrians.

The MY22 X-Trail will arrive in showrooms this December, with its highly anticipated fourth-generation successor expected to launch during the latter half of 2022.

Nissan X-Trail 2022: 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-seat: $34,265
• ST AWD Auto: $34,665
• ST+ FWD Auto: $34,140
• ST+ AWD Auto: $36,140
• ST-L FWD Auto: $38,675 (+$150)
• ST-L FWD Auto seven-seater: $40,275 (+$150)
• ST-L AWD Auto: $40,675 (+$150)
• Ti AWD Auto: $46,115 (+$150)