Nissan X-Trail 2021: existing model given CarPlay as Australia waits for new generation

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Nissan Australia this month has updated the existing X-Trail midsize SUV with modern smartphone connectivity in a move designed to extend the life of the crossover a little further.

This isn’t the X-Trail update many have been waiting for, though, with the all-new model available for nearly a year overseas still not available to Australia.

The third-generation X-Trail went on sale in the United States in 2020 where it is badged the Rogue. Nissan’s new midsize SUV sits on a new platform shared with the 2021 Mitsubishi Outlander that will arrive in Australia later this year.

The new generation brings increased safety, performance and tech but for now, Chasing Cars understands that while the new X-Trail will be coming to Australia, nothing has yet been officially confirmed.

The second-generation X-Trail first went on sale in 2014 and while it is showing signs of age it remains a steady seller here in Australia, with Nissan’s latest update giving the midsize SUV some important new features with an affordable entry price of $30,665 before on-road costs.

Chief among those updates is the inclusion of wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with a bigger seven-inch touchscreen with both updates standard across the range.

The Nissan X-Trail is available in either front or all-wheel-drive, five or seven seats and is available in multiple grades starting with the ST, TS, ST-L and topping out with the Ti.

The appearance of the X-Trail has largely remained unchanged for 2021 with the base ST and TS grades fitted with 17-inch wheels and the ST-L receiving a new 18-inch wheel design. 

On the inside, the X-Trail now features digital radio as standard on the ST and TS, along with keyless entry, daytime running lights, a limited-slip differential, a rearview camera and a 40/20/40 split-fold rear second-row making it easier and safer to live with every day. 

Stepping up to the X-Trail ST-L adds dual-zone climate control, fog lights, satellite navigation, roof rails and leather pointed seats and steering wheel with the driver eight-way adjustable heated seats and the front passenger four-way adjustable heated seats.

The X-Trail ST-L grades take a noticeable step up in safety with blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera. For 2021, the X-Trail ST-L and Ti also gain more safety with Intelligent Driver Alert which monitors driver’s fatigue and alerts the driver to take a break if needed.

The top-spec X-Trail Ti grade is the only grade fitted with pedestrian-detecting automatic emergency braking detection and lane keep assist, with both of those features standard on rivals such as the Mazda CX-5. 

Nissan also adds niceties to the X-Trail Ti such as  LED headlights, larger 19-inch wheels, a sunroof and an eight-speaker Bose stereo along with heating for the rear seats and steering wheel. 

Powering the X-Trail is a choice of three engines, with the range starting with the base ST that uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol paired to a six-speed manual that sends 106kW of power and 200Nm of torque to the front wheels.

Available in the X-Trail ST and ST-L is the  2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine which puts out 126kW/226Nm to a CVT-automatic and is available in either front or all-wheel drive. The X-Trail Ti also uses this engine but is paired exclusively with an AWD system. 

Fitted exclusively to the X-Trail TS is a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel that develops 130kW/380Nm that is put through the same CVT transmission and is only available in all-wheel-drive.

The 2021 X-Trail is currently available in showrooms with more details on the third-generation likely to follow soon. 

Nissan X-Trail 2021: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• ST FWD Manual: $30,665
• ST FWD Auto: $32,665
• ST FWD Auto seven-seater: $34,265
• ST AWD Auto: $34,665
• TS AWD Auto: $37,465
• ST-L FWD Auto: $38,525
• ST-L FWD Auto seven-seater: $40,125
• ST-L AWD Auto: $40,525
• Ti AWD Auto: $45,965