Nissan X-Trail 2014 Review

You may not immediately recognise it as an X-Trail, but the third-generation of Nissan’s mid-size SUV is set to create a stir in its ultra-competitive market segment.

The outgoing model trailed behind the Mazda CX-5 (20,129), Toyota RAV4 (16,983), Subaru Forester (13,649), and Honda CR-V (12,510) with 10,701 sales, but the comprehensively re-engineered, repackaged and restyled 2014 X-Trail will likely give those rankings a reshuffle.

Thirteen years and 140,000 sales after the first model arrived on our shores, the T32 model brings a curvaceous new look, the availability of seven seats for the first time, an all-new platform and a bevy of fresh technology.

DESIGN

With a smoother shape than the utilitarian first two generations, the new model rides on a 75mm longer 2705mm wheelbase, is 30mm wider at 1820mm, 10mm taller at 1710mm, but just 5mm longer overall at 4640mm.

Beneath the X-Trail’s all-new body is the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s new Common Module Platform, shared with the upcoming Qashqai small SUV and at least 11 future Renault models. Much of the X-Trail’s extra wheelbase length has gone into improving second row seating accommodation; with more sculpted front seat backs further aiding knee room.

All variants feature 40/20/40 EZ Flex sliding and reclining second row seating with ISOFIX and top tether child seat anchorage points, theatre-view seating, 80 degree wide-opening rear doors, a centre console can swallow a 10 inch tablet, and five-seat models feature the clever Divide ’N’ Hide tiered cargo storage system.

There’s a useful 135L of cargo space behind the upright third row in seven-seat models, which opens up to 550-litres with the third row folded, and a handy wet storage area beneath the boot floor on all variants.

The interior design brings the X-Trail in the line with the best of its rivals in terms of material feel and appearance, and the entry ST grade’s soft velour trim is a cut above most non-leather options.

The second row is nicely bolstered for occupant comfort, and the raised position should help the view of younger passengers despite the X-Trail’s rising beltline. Where fitted, the third row seats are really only suitable for occasional adult use, but have reclining backrests and are fine for children in terms of space and access, but the curtain airbags only extend to the second row.

The new X-Trail’s extended wheelbase has seen the turning circle grow by 0.3m to 11.3mm, while ground clearance has dropped by 5mm to 210mm and entry and departure angles have been reduced from 28-24.8 degrees and 24-17.3 degrees respectively.

Despite marginally reduced clearance and the retention of a spacesaver spare wheel across the range, all-wheel drive models continue with Nissan’s All Mode 4x4-I system. This splits into three drive modes of either two-wheel drive, automatic four-wheel drive, or with drive locked 50:50 front-rear at speeds up to 40km/h.

Weight is up slightly over equivalent previous variants, with gains of 6-37kg to now spread 1437-1574kg. Braked towing capacity is also now 1500kg across all petrol variants, down from the 2000kg of previous 2.5-litre models and matching the previous 2.0-litre manual.

VALUE

The only other mid-size SUV to offer seating for seven is the Mitsubishi Outlander, but the cheapest seven-seat X-Trail – the $31,580 ST 2.5L auto 2WD – undercuts the cheapest seven-seat Outlander – the $36,490 LS 2.4-litre petrol auto 4WD – by nearly $5000. Seven-seat X-Trails cost barely $1000 more than equivalent five-seat models, but the Nissan lacks the Mitsubishi’s all-wheel drive.

The X-Trail range continues to be split into ST, ST-L and Ti trim levels, and each continue to be available in either two or all-wheel drive. The seven-seat layout is available in either ST or ST-L grades, but is limited to two-wheel drive only.

ST models come equipped with cruise control and air conditioning, a 5-inch multimedia screen with reversing camera, Bluetooth phone and audio via the NissanConnect system with embedded apps, proximity keys, and 17 inch alloys.

The ST-L adds leather-accented trim, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, the multi-camera Around View monitor system with a 7-inch multimedia screen, satnav, digital radio, privacy glass, roof rails, and front fog lights.

The top-tier Ti adds a sensor-activated power tailgate, blind-spot, moving object detection and lane departure driver alerts, powered sunroof, auto wipers and headlights, LED headlights and 18 inch alloys.

ENGINE/TRANSMISSION

The new X-Trail’s revised petrol drivetrains include a 106kW/200Nm 2.0-litre, which gains 4kW/2Nm thanks to the addition of direct fuel injection and a compression ratio bump from 10.1-11.2:1.  The still-port injected 126kW/226Nm 2.5-litre gains just 1kW through a compression ratio boost from 9.6-10:1, and both are still happy to run on Regular 91RON unleaded.

Unlike the previous X-Trail, the 2.0-litre is now limited to the price-leading entry ST, and is also now only available with a six-speed manual. All other ST, ST-L and Ti petrol variants jump to the 2.5-litre engine which is paired exclusively with a new Xtronic-m CVT auto.

Turbodiesel variants will follow late in the third-quarter of the year, but in the meantime petrol fuel efficiency has improved marginally for equivalent new models. The 2.0-litre manual drops from 8.5-8.2L/100km, and the all-wheel drive 2.5-litre models drop from 9.1-8.3L/100km.

The new two-wheel drive 2.5-litre models are the efficiency headliners at 7.9L/100km though, while the heavier seven-seat versions consume 8.1L/100km.

SAFETY

The new X-Trail is yet to be independently crash tested, so is yet to be awarded a star safety rating. However, all models are equipped with a standard reversing camera, dual front and side airbags, curtain airbags for the first two rows, stability control, ABS, EBD, brake assist, active ride and trace control, and hill assist.  

DRIVING

We had the chance to sample the 2.5-litre automatic drivetrain at the X-Trail’s Australian launch, in both two and all-wheel drive.

As before, the 2.5-litre delivers comfortable performance and refinement, but the new CVT auto is a significant improvement over the previous example. The new Xtronic-m unit will still buzz under full acceleration, but under normal driving conditions it’s much quieter and smoother than most other CVTs.

Ride quality is particularly good on the 17-inch wheeled ST and ST-L models, with effective tuning of the all-new platform resulting in vastly improved body control over bumps and through corners than the previous model. The 18-inch shod Ti is a touch sharper over bumps, but not harsh.

Front wheel drive models will easily spin the front wheels on loose gravel or wet bitumen on takeoff, but is quickly settled by the traction control and is perfectly satisfactory for day to day on-road use.

Over the fire trails on test, the new model’s slightly reduced ground clearance and shallower entry and departure angles were no issue, and there’s still enough clearance to match expectations of the road-focused SUVs of this segment.

The electric power steering provides consistent feel, road noise is well contained and the overall drive experience is significantly more refined than the aged previous model.