2022 Nissan X-Trail ST+ Hunter Valley Mini Roadtrip REVIEW

Nissan has had 20 years of X-Trail and celebrates by giving the base model ST a bit of extra bling, and it is the blinged up ST+ we took to our secret Hunter Valley location. It highlighted the good and the bad in the X-Trail, the model soon to be replaced by an all-new car. Our big gay roundtrips were frequent pre-covid, but somehow we’ve forgotten how to have fun. This weekend just gone, we reignited the flame, to once again fan our favourite pastime back into a healthy glow.

For $34,190, our 2WD X-Trail came with the extra oomph of the 126kw/233nm 2.5 4 cylinder. The front wheels get the power down through a CVT automatic, which although not my favourite type of tranny, does the job most of the time.

X-Trail is modest in looks and performance, but you do get quite a lot of car for 34 grand.

Sadly, X-Trail is missing almost all of the driver and safety aids you expect of a 2022 car. There is no active cruise control, lane control, automatic wipers, blind spot monitor, or auto climate control. In fact, it almost feels bare-bones.

You’re not completely bereft of mod-cons though. There is easy access entry and start, and centre cup holders with heating and cooling.

The surround view camera comes with sensors all-round, and thoughtful touches like the rear cargo floor in 2 halves. Each can be set at the high or low position, and although it makes the space flexible, it is easily dislodged when you’d rather it wasn’t.

This Week: We Look at the All New 2022 Nissan z, Qashqai, Pathfinder, and X Trail in this mini review

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ABOVE: 2022 Nissan ST+

What we Liked:

I’m glad most brands have binned the useless CD players, having Apple CarPlay/Android Auto instead. Sound is decent, but not outstanding.

Seating is extremely comfortable, with lounge-like leanings. Sadly, adjustment is a do-it-yourself jobbie.

Although fairly small, the 7” infotainment system is easy to use, with DAB+.

The cabin is nice and quiet most of the time, but rough tarmac gets a rather rowdy response from down below.

Likewise, the ride is sensational thanks to the MacPhersons at the front and Multilinks around back.

What was not so great:

The X-Trail is one of the mainstays of the Nissan range, so it is an anathema to have the hideous foot-operated parking brake. In the era of electric brakes, this feels like a museum piece.

The cargo floor, handy as it is, was more of an annoyance. Every time you bump something along the carpeted surface, it dislodges. If you leave it in the lower setting, the floor isn’t flat with the loading lip.

It is worth repeating: no auto wipers. WTAF! I’d forgotten how annoying it was to pass through patchy weather, constantly switching between on/intermittent/fast.

The CVT itself, is the type of automatic with no gears. It turns any engine into a drooling, simpering mess as it lurches up and down the musical scale trying to find a note it likes. They do it in the interest of economy, but our economy wasn’t all that fabulous, so in the bin with them.

What’s New in the X-Trail ST+?

Around View Monitor + Moving Object Detection
Front park sensors
Rear park sensors
Satellite navigation

I simply cannot understand how the inclusion of these few items warranted a new nomenclature, but there it is.

The Drive:

We headed off around 10-ish. None of us do mornings, and a start at the crack of morning tea is considered to be day break by anyone sensible.

Traffic was light, and we were at the edge of Sydney in a matter moments. Highway driving is bliss, and the lack of lane assistance harkened back to the halcyon days of roadtrips marked by fading pics, and stippled movies.

Ethan’s roadtrip playlist has been voted as favourite so it was his phone umbilicalled to the sound system.

Casper snoozed in back, trying to sleep off a boozy birthday party, and Max was just happy to get away from work.

I was designated driver, and hoped recent rains hadn’t ruined the residence. Last time apocalyptic weather unleashed itself, the driveway was washed down the slope. A Front Wheel Drive is not fit for deep mud, no matter what Nissan claims.

After a few hours, we could report an enjoyable experience. There was enough space for supplies and accoutrements needed for a sufficiently classy weekend as befits 4 boys of demanding demeanours.

The driveway was in a sad state, but the 2WD X-Trail managed it valiantly. There was quite a to-do as the wheels scampered for grip as the last hundred metres has the steepest grade. Once ensconced, we took wine and nibbles, as we looked over the verandah and into the mist of the light showers that signalled the setting in of a very wet and cold weekend.

We didn’t care. We had wine, fires, and lots of food.

What we thought:

Alan:

X-Trail has unassuming looks, but as long as you can overlook the CVT and lack of driver and safety aids, it is a comfy ride for the money. X-Trail is quiet, and smooth, and is like riding in your lounge room.

Casper:

I think X-Trail looks slightly awkward, but the comfort trumps looks almost every time.

X-Trail is light in its feet, and despite the lack of power, gets along at a cracking pace. X-Trail isn’t about brute force and the AWD models afford a bit more in the way of capability, especially off the bitumen.

Ethan:

I like it, but X-Trail is not my thing. I’m happy to travel in one if someone else has one.

Max:

I’ve always liked X-Trail for the comfort and ease of driving. The new one looks better inside and out, so I’d wait for that one.

Conclusion:

The new X-Trail will be here before you can say, “martini please.” The last of the current model will be snapped up because new cars are so hard to come by. Delivery times have blown out from the perfect storm of covid, and the semiconductor shortage.

There is no doubt that X-Trail has fallen behind with many of the driver and safety aids absent, but it is priced accordingly.