Alex Rae’s 2017 Nissan X-Trail Series 2 Review with pricing, spec, performance, ride and handling, safety, verdict and score.
In a nutshell: A few minor flaws are offset by loads of standard features.
2017 Nissan X-Trail Ti Series 2
PRICING From $44,290+ORC WARRANTY three-years, 100,000 kilometres SAFETY five-star ANCAP ENGINE 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol POWER 126kW at 6000rpm TORQUE 226Nm at 4400rpm TRANSMISSION CVT DRIVE all-wheel drive DIMENSIONS 4690mm (L); 1820mm (W); 1740mm (H) BOOT SPACE 565/945 litres SPARE Space Saver WEIGHT From 1562kg FUEL TANK 60 litres THIRST 8.3L/100km (combined)
AS SUVS GROW both smaller and larger in size, the established mid-size segment is full of strong options – Mazda CX-5, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 are just a few of the current generation models available to buyers. The Nissan X-Trail is also a familiar name among these household badges and its first generation was one of the strongest off-road performers of the lot.
It’s not quite the same car on rough tracks anymore, but the Ti (on test) gets a variable 4WD system and is loaded with kit. There’s also the option of five or seven seats which elevates its versatility compared to five-seat rivals and for 2017 it has received updated styling inside and out.
What is the Nissan X-Trail Ti?
The X-Trail SUV sits between the smaller Nissan QASHQAI and the larger Pathfinder in terms of size… Although closer to the latter.
Powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol (non-turbocharged) engine, the Ti produces 126kW and 226Nm through a continuously variable transmission. Driven normally, the X-Trail puts its power through the front-wheels. A rotary dial below the gearshift shifts allows shifting drive between 2WD, auto (part-time all-wheel drive) and lock (full-time all-wheel drive).
The X-Trail range begins with the entry model ST ($27,990) and the Ti, which adds a lot more kit is priced from $44,290 (+ORCs). The entry model X-Trail might be $15,000 cheaper but does without 4WD and the larger engine of the Ti, and, the Ti also adds a significant amount of kit.
Standard inclusions include 19-inch alloys, LED lights, fog lamps, roof rails, keyless entry, panoramic sunroof and leather trim interior with heated front and rear seats. Tech includes a 7-inch touchscreen, AEB, automatic high beams, pedestrian detection, 360-degtee camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and rear cross traffic alert.
So, plenty of good gear and, at least on paper, the value equation looks good.
What’s the interior of the Nissan X-Trail Ti like?
Overall there’s a good feeling of space inside with plenty of useful storage bins and deep door pockets. The two cup holders in the centre console are also vented to keep drinks cool, which can be closed by reversing the little widget.
The heated electric front seats offer plenty of adjustment (and comfort) and the leather trim has a nice soft feel which has also been used on the dash and enhances the lux look. The steering wheel has been given some of the cow hide too and its new D shape flat bottom design is nicer than previous models. It’s also heated – a nice addition. For the driver, there’s plenty of adjustment to get a good seating position although the seat does sit high.
In the second row, the rear seat sits a little higher and offers sliding and reclining function. They also split either 40:20:40 and 60:40. Conveniences include a centre armrest, cup holders, seat pockets and the row is also heated. The X-Trail is packaged as a good family SUV for dealing with cold winters.
The boot, in our five-seat test vehicle, is large for its size in this segment and offers 565 litres of storage capacity, although it only extends to 945 litres with the second-row flat and that’s smaller than many wagons; with seven seats the boot shrinks to 445 litres. Enough of room for a large pram and some shopping. There’s also a 12v socket in the back, some storage bins under the floor and the tailgate is electric (with foot kick-to-open).
The infotainment system is presented on a 7-inch touchscreen which, although a good size, is beginning to shrink and is not as crisp as the best units. Connectivity is limited to Bluetooth and USB storage, so there’s not Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility, but this is also missing in rivals like the RAV4 and CX-5. The sound system features DAB+ radio and gets loud without sounding boomy.
What’s the X-Trail Ti like to drive?
The X-Trail gets a larger capacity engine than most of its direct rivals but the lack of turbocharger leaves it feeling a little underwhelming. However, its 126kW/226Nm of power shifts it along well enough for efficient highway cruising, overtaking and situations that require some extra oomph. The CVT isn’t too noisy either and gets the job done. No race car, the X-Trail moves itself along without fuss.
For the adventurous, the X-Trail offers a 4WD lock mode when offroad and although its 210mm clearance is good in its class, it’s not really the kind of car that will appreciate going further than rough gravel tracks. The X-Trail is also rated to a 1500kg braked towing capacity for tugging light loads.
On tighter roads and negotiating traffic, the X-Trail is dynamic and reasonably sharp, although it’s also a touch noisy on coarse chip surfaces thanks to a large rubber footprint on 19-inch alloys. Suspension is a little firm too, but so are most of the leaders in this segment – we’d say it drives comparably for the most part.
The Ti is packed with some extra like lane keeping assist, 360-degree camera (for parking amnouvres and adaptive cruise control – all worked well in testing.
What’s the safety features like?
The Nissan X-Trail has been awarded a five star ANCAP rating. Additional safety features include AEB, pedestrian protection, lane keeping assist, 360-degree view camera, adaptive cruise control and exit warning.
Nissan’s adaptive cruise control works well and provides a good range of distance settings to the car in front. It adjusts speed smoothly and doesn’t provide much cruise control creep over the set speed. Lane keeping assist engaged quickly but, as with most systems, can feel intrusive off the highway.
So, what do we think about the Nissan X-Trail?
The X-Trail Ti is loaded with kit and it’s all good stuff. It’s worth the upgrade over entry models if you can afford the difference and compared to its rivals it feels similar in many ways, although locally tuned competitors ride a little better on poor roads.
No modern smartphone integration, dodgy JATCO transmission and no 7 seats on 4WD versions… Pass
Ok. So what’s the score?
RAFLMAO, a 4×4 version for the more adventerous with a 1500 kg towing capacity and a SPACE-SAVER spare
Oh, this will go down good in a National Park with a flat tyre. Even driving over rough gravel tracks with the idiotic space saver, you’d have to be nuts to buy it in the first place.
Standard inclusions include 19-inch alloys, LED lights, fog lamps, roof rails, keyless entry, panoramic sunroof and leather trim interior with heated front and rear seats. Tech includes a 7-inch touchscreen, AEB, automatic high beams, pedestrian detection, 360-degtee camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and rear cross traffic alert.
What an absolute waste of money for these 4WD accessories to be let down by a crummy spare
When will the Big manufacturers stop with all this nonsense with space-savers and when you take off your rather large 19” where are you going to put it? Oh yes, in the space-saver well
Yes, there appears to be some of arms race going on amongst car makers as regards the size of wheels. 19 inch wheels for a car of this type is just ludicrous – as is the space saver spare. If I was looking at a vehicle of this type the 19 inch wheels alone would be enough to turn me away, and the space saver spare would just be the icing on that cake.
Where will it end? Will the 2025 Xtrail/CRV/RAV4/Outlander come with 22 inch wheels and 30 profile tyres that cost the earth to replace (and that’s if your local tyre shop even stocks them).