All-New Nissan X-Trail, Better in Almost Every Way.

The birth of the all new X-Trail a protracted one to say the least. Nissan has given their range a makeover with new models coming thick and fast, with Qashqai, Z, Pathfinder and X-Trail all be brand spankers by year’s end, and the big-ticket item is the “Pro Pilot”.

First, lets set a few expectations: X-Trail is a medium SUV, not a ute, nor a sports car. Do not expect it to corner at warp 9.99, or to rocket off the start with the grace of a snarling cheetah. X-Trail is a humble, capable, well-priced package that does what it says on the box.

Features and prices have been drip-fed as the delivery dates were pushed out by production delays, so the only thing left to tell is about the drive. The hybrid X-Trail arrives early 2023, so until then the 2.5L petrol will have to do.

As always, the range topper is our fave. The Ti-L is Nissan’s executive lounge version, with all the bells and whistles, and as much gorgeousness shoehorned in as possible. The AWD system has an off-road setting, but with 205mm of ground clearance, the car park at Thredbo is probably as far as most families will want to go. Nissan’s big butch Patrol is what you need if you want to go rock climbing in style.

The look is neither here nor there. To be honest, it doesn’t look hugely different from the old model, but the drive is fabulous.

The 135kw 4 cylinder is leisurely, and although there is sports mode, X-Trail is built for comfort, not speed, like me. I like a nice seat with proper leather, and I like electric controls, and fabulous sound. X-Trail has that in bucket-loads.

Specifications sheet HERE: Nissan X-Trail Spec Sheet

Steering is light regardless of mode because Nissan knows that 85% of all new vehicles are either SUVs or LCVs like Navara or Hilux. 98% of those will never ever tow, and might be asked to tackle the odd muddy driveway, but that’s about it.

Although X-Trail is nippy around town, the CVT often has the engine pleading for mercy. A quick stomp on the go pedal and off she goes, but she complains, with pitons sounding like they’re about to fire themselves from the bonnet, Scud-style.

Although corners are tacked with the alacrity of a capering mountain goat, highway cruising was the best thing about the drive experience. For the full boom-shakala, flicking the Pro-Pilot switch brings together the usual suspects for a gentle, safe, near autonomous cruise.

This Week’s Review: 2023 Nissan X Trail Launch Review – Good Value?

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ABOVE: 2023 All New Nissan X-Trail

Rolling down the highway with the climate set just so, the music subtly providing themes to the journey, and the pro-pilot taking care of the hard work, turns a road trip into a pleasure instead of a curse. The blokes in the pews in the back don’t care much about how hard a long trip is on those up front, so, don’t tell them how easy it is. Added to that is the conveniences of a 12.3” Screen in the centre, and another in front of the drive. There is a rear camera displaying in the rearview mirror, and data projected onto a 10.8” HUD on the windscreen.

It would be remiss of me not to comment on the rather sexy gear lever. I’m as fickle as f*ck, and I’ve been through my knob phase, my column shifter phase, my T-Bar phase, and my tiny-nipple-on-the-centre-console-phase, but Nissan’s new style selector is the shiz. It is large enough to feel substantial, but small enough not to need its own post code. It’s just an electric switch, but it feels properly manly, sitting the under your hand.

Economy was not as advertised, tsk tsk. The video review says 11.1 L/100k, quite a way up from around 8.1 ish. Never mind, once at legal speed, all is well. The figure quickly falls.

There are 7 seat models, but X-Trail is far too small to really make good use of them, unless all those inside are munchkins. Ti-L has a huge glass opening roof, and it floods the cabin with light. Frankly, the idea of an open roof is much nicer on paper than in reality, and I’d rather do without.

Matrix LED lights are literally my favourite thing at the moment. The povo models miss out, so that is reason enough to tick the top box. They bend light in a way thought impossible only a little while ago. Once you set the lights to auto, you’ll always have the maximum possible view with almost zero risk of blinding anyone.

Love, love, love.

Conclusion:

We found X-Trail to be fabulously comfortable. Quilted nappa is posh without being precious. There are acres of decent quality plakky trim, topped with touches of metal and piano black.

The old model had started to lag somewhat in the techy-goodness department, but the all-new car is crammed full, and has a 5-star safety rated on the current criteria. Although 52k for the top-drawer Ti-L is a pocketful of shekels, it feels value for money. It is up against some stiff competition so provided the look appeals; the drive is great.

It has become impossible to fully list the features and aids in new cars. It’s easier to mention what is missing rather than what is included.

X-Trail buyers probably won’t tow anything, and they aren’t crossing east-west via the desert. They won’t be crossing rivers or climbing mountains, they’ll be doing chores and Sunday drives. The good thing about X-Trail is that for the once-a-year road trip, it is as happy at 110kph as it is at a set of traffic lights.