PROS ›› Rugged looks, well-made and spacious cabin, many physical controls, comfortable ride, smooth and quiet CVT CONS ›› Very light steering with no feedback, engine can get rough when pushed, cramped third-row seats
Rewind just a few short years, and Nissan’s lineup was beginning to feel like it had been left on pause while the rest of the automotive world fast-forwarded. Vehicles like the Juke, Qashqai, X-Trail/Rogue and Pathfinder all desperately needed to be replaced. Thankfully, Nissan finally hit the refresh button, rolling out new generations of these SUVs. Among these updates, the improvements made to the X-Trail stand out as particularly noteworthy.
I had my first opportunity to drive the fourth-generation X-Trail roughly 18 months ago and was pleasantly surprised by what I found. At the time, we tested it in Ti trim, sitting in the upper half of an extensive line-up of variants available in Australia. Few updates have been made to the local range since then, but there is now a compelling new version on offer. Named the N-Trek, it’s designed to be a little more rugged, and we recently spent a few days living with it.
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This isn’t the first time Nissan Australia has used the N-Trek nameplate on an X-Trail. The previous-generation model was offered in an N-Trek trim, although it was capped at just 500 units. The alterations made to it were also extremely minor and limited to new wheels, weather shields on the windows, and a black bonnet protector. Hardly a desirable ‘limited edition’, then.
QUICK FACTS
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Things are a little different with the 2024 X-Trail N-Trek. This year, the carmaker has equipped the new mid-range model with a revised front bumper that includes a faux skid plate and revised trim around the fog lights. Gone is the chrome front grille surround, and in its place sits black trim. Several other black trims are also found, including the wing mirrors, the pillars, the roof, and the roof rails.
Nissan’s design team has also developed a new set of 18-inch alloy wheels for the SUV made up of a combination of black and silver spokes. The tough new looks continue at the rear with a new bumper, and shoppers can choose between several exterior colors, including Gun Metallic, Diamond Black, Ceramic Grey, Champagne Silver, and Ivory Pearl. Our tester was in Ceramic Grey, which suited the character of the SUV to a tee.
Nissan interiors have come a long way
The N-Trek is based on the ST-L in the X-Trail range, which itself sits above the entry-level ST. This means it lacks some of the features of the Ti we tested last year, yet the cabin is still very well-equipped and a huge step up from the previous-generation model.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Stepping into the cabin of the X-Trail N-Trek is a treat. Local prices start at AU$50,740 ($33,900), and the cabin does feel fitting at that price point. Soft black leather adorned most surfaces of our test car’s interior, although the top of the dashboard and the door panels were trimmed in brown leather. All of the important touchpoints feel premium, including the steering wheel, and it’s a welcome relief that Nissan has retained plenty of physical buttons and switches.
Positioned in front of the driver is a 12.3-inch screen. This display is bright and clear and can be configured to show heaps of different driving data and efficiency information. There are a few different options for the type of gauges you want displayed and it’s complemented with a brilliant 10.8-inch head-up display.
Sitting in the center of the dashboard is a 12.3-inch infotainment display. While Nissan’s software is a little basic compared to some rivals, it is easy to understand and has been well thought out. Wireless Apple CarPlay is included as standard, but weirdly, only support for wired Android Auto is available.
Two key features missing in the N-Trek, which we appreciated in the Ti, is a digital rear-view mirror and a panoramic sunroof. However, I was fond of the light-colored fabric headliner and the notable lack of black piano plastic on the transmission tunnel. In its place is a more head-wearing plastic with a textured pattern that feels quite premium. Physical buttons and dials are used to control all of the important HVAC settings.
The cabin offers plenty of room, and even taller adults will find the second row comfortable. A small third row makes the X-Trail N-Trek a seven-seater, although these seats at the rear are only suitable for children and far too cramped for adults. As such, shoppers who need to use a third row regularly would be wise to opt for something slightly bigger, such as the new-generation Hyundai Santa Fe, or the Nissan Pathfinder. The addition of a third row of seats adds AU$3,000 (~$2,000) to the N-Trek’s price. We’d recommend sticking with the five-seat version.
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All X-Trail N-Trek models come standard with Nissan’s suite of ProPilot driver-assistance functions, which includes adaptive cruise control, lane centering, and road sign recognition. This system can be activated with the press of a button on the steering wheel and performs very well on the highway. Apart from the odd occasion where the Nissan veered towards the edge of a lane, the self-steering kept us beautifully centered on the road for several highway trips.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
What about the powertrain?
All 2024 X-Trail models sold Down Under come standard with a 2.5-liter naturally-aspirated four-cylinder producing 181 hp (135 kW) and 244 Nm (180 lb-ft) of torque. However, the ST-L, Ti, and flagship Ti-L can be configured with Nissan’s e-Power setup, which includes a 1.5-liter three-cylinder and a hybrid system.
Although the 2.5-liter is the ‘base’ engine and isn’t particularly powerful, it suits a vehicle like the X-Trail well. It’s coupled to a CVT transmission driving all four wheels. Before you start criticizing the choice of a CVT, know that this one is very smooth and very quiet. I’ve been critical of CVTs in the past, but never during my time with the N-Trek did I find myself yearning for a traditional auto.
The engine can sound a little rough when revved out, but in the vast majority of driving conditions, is unobtrusive and delivers solid performance. It’s not just the engine and transmission combo that impressed me. I also really liked the steering and the ride of the X-Trail.
Photo Credits: Brad Anderson/Carscoops
Vehicles like this can feel cumbersome and heavy. That’s not the case with the Nissan. It uses dual-pinion electric power steering that is exceptionally light yet remains precise, reminding me of the steering feel you’ll find in current Volvo models. There’s next to no feedback coming through the wheel, and that can be an issue if you’re trying to hustle the X-Trail through corners. However, this is an SUV that’ll be driven sedately for 99.9% of its life, and the light steering complements it well.
Nissan’s engineers have also done a good job tuning the suspension. While the N-Trek is marketed as a slightly more rugged version of the X-Trail, it has the same suspension setup as the standard model. That’s no bad thing, as it soaks up bumps brilliantly while remaining sure-footed. The Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S tires of our test car were also excellent, providing plenty of grip with minimal noise.
Fuel efficiency is decent but nothing special. Nissan quotes 7.8 l/100 km (30.1 U.S. mpg) over the combined cycle, and we came close to matching that over almost 300 km (186 miles) of driving, averaging 8.3 l/100 km (28.3 U.S. mpg). An added perk of the 2.5-liter is that it doesn’t require premium fuel and will happily run on 91-octane.
Verdict
A key selling point of the X-Trail has long been its broad range of abilities and off-road tech. All models come standard with Terrain modes that include an Off-Road and Snow setting. There’s also hill descent control. We briefly tested the X-Trail along some gravel and dirt tracks and it felt right at home on them. Of course, it’s not designed to be driven up crazy mountain trails, but it can do some soft off-roading without breaking a sweat.
Another advantage of the X-Trail is its towing capacity, which outperforms many of its rivals. It can handle up to 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) with a braked trailer and 750 kg (1,653 lbs) unbraked, enhancing its versatility and appeal for those with active lifestyles or towing needs.
I continue to be impressed by the fourth-gen Nissan X-Trail. Starting at AU$38,990 (~$26,000) and topping out at AU$59,990 (~$40,100), it represents good value for money and is very well-equipped considering the price. Anyone looking at an SUV in this segment should give it serious consideration.