The Nissan X-Trail 2019 models have been with us for a short while now, and the usual hype has diminished to a certain degree. For many reviewers, this is the time when they move on to a potted review of the next car release. However, we thought that it might be useful to look at the X-Trail from a longer-term perspective. After all, the Nissan X-Trail SUV is one of the top-selling vehicles in an extremely competitive segment. Let’s take a longer-term look at what the Nissan X-Trail has to offer.
At a Glance
The Nissan X-Trail 2019 is a well established medium SUV that has an impressive track record for sale in the hotly contested Australian SUV segment. Around 37% of Nissan Australia’s sales can be attributed to the X-Trail, and it’s by far their biggest seller. So, Nissan has a real interest in delivering an X-Trail that can retain existing drivers and attract new drivers into the Nissan family.
In the Cabin
Nissan has got the ergonomics right with this latest X-Trail release. Sliding behind the driver’s wheel is a real treat thanks to the supportive leather seats and the front and back seats are all heated for extra comfort on colder days. The steering wheel can easily be tilted and adjusted to achieve the perfect driving position. There is a real sense of space in the cabin, and yet everything that you need seems to be just within the reach of the driver. The steering wheel is replete with plenty of control buttons, and the 7” infotainment is aging a little, but the screen is crisp and clear. The controls are simple to navigate with plenty of shortcuts to get you the control surface that you need quickly. The supplied Bose sound system sounds great thanks in part to the large subwoofer located near the spare tyre well. Sadly, there is no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay support offered, but there is standard phone connectivity and audio streaming via Bluetooth for your personal devices.
On the Road
Nissan claims a combined fuel economy of 8.3L/100km, but in practice, this is a little higher. Overall the driving experience is a positive one, the steering feels light but substantial, and it’s very responsive for detailed tasks such as parking. Power is supplied via a 2.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine that generates 126kW of power and 226 Nm of torque. This power plant is paired with an Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) that’s incredibly smooth to use. During the testing period finding the right gear at the correct juncture was simple, but the ECO mode didn’t seem to deliver on the fuel economy front. The new Intelligent Around View system was extremely useful; the 360º view makes parking without scratching the rather attractive 19” alloys a breeze.
