Nissan X-Trail 2023: Australian spec locked-in ahead of RAV4, Sportage rival’s late-2022 release date

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Nissan Australia has finalised the specification of the fourth-generation X-Trail midsize SUV ahead of its anticipated Australian on-sale date in the third quarter of this year. 

Based on the same Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance developed CMF-CD platform as the popular Mitsubishi Outlander, the five-seat X-Trail also shares that car’s upgraded 135kW 2.5-litre direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine with no hybrid or downsized turbocharged option available for now.

Nissan will disclose the X-Trail’s final pricing closer to its Australian release date in the second half of the year, though expect the safer and more sophisticated Toyota RAV4 and Kia Sportage rival to climb in price, with the range likely to span $35-55,000 depending on specification.

The new-gen X-Trail was previewed in late-2020 by its twin, the North American market Nissan Rogue, which is virtually identical but built in the USA, while our right-hand-drive X-Trail will be manufactured at Nissan’s Fukuoka plant in Japan.

With its new design language, the X-Trail adopts Nissan’s familial design cues seen on the Juke, Qashqai, Pathfinder and Patrol, including a signature ‘V-Motion’ grille, C-shaped LED headlights and new, broad haunches over the rear wheels.

What variants of X-Trail will be offered?

Where the X-Trail previously offered an affordable entry-level ST grade with the option of seven seats and a smaller 106kW 2.0-litre petrol engine, the new SUV has a focus on higher quality across the range that comprises ST, ST-L, Ti and Ti-L variants.

The ST is now equipped with a larger 8.0-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cloth upholstery, LED lights and 17-inch alloy wheels outside.

Stepping up, the ST-L scores larger 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats with synthetic leather upholstery, sliding second-row bench and front parking sensors. 

The Ti is the second-from-top model and gains leather-accented upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control, a power tailgate, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

In Ti spec, the X-Trail really steps up its interior tech with a large 12.3-inch touchscreen that scores navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay (but wired Android Auto), a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display and 10.8-inch head-up display.

The flagship X-Trail Ti-L scores a premium 10-speaker Bose stereo, rear sunshades, heated steering wheel and full Nappa leather upholstery. 

How safe is the new X-Trail? 

Even the base X-Trail ST is now equipped with more safety systems including rear parking sensors, front AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection, rear AEB with pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic alert and traffic-sign recognition. 

The ST-L builds on this level of safety specification with Nissan’s ProPilot adaptive system that brings active cruise control with stop and go functionality, and 360-degree camera as standard.

Nissan has not finalised pricing for the new X-Trail but its more comprehensive safety and technology package means that this midsize SUV will likely go up in price when it arrives later this year.

Anticipate a starting price from $35-38,000 for a front-wheel drive ST base model, running to beyond $50,000 for the flagship Ti-L.