√2023 Nissan X-Trail ST-L review
The first new Nissan X-Trail in nearly nine years has finally arrived in Australian showrooms. Is this middle-of-the-range, five-seat ST-L the pick of the line-up?
2023 Nissan X-Trail ST-L 2WD five-seat
More than two years after it rolled into US showrooms, the new 2023 Nissan X-Trail medium SUV has finally arrived in Australia – the first new model in nearly nine years.
Arriving alongside new-generation versions of the smaller Nissan Qashqai and larger Nissan Pathfinder SUVs, the new X-Trail adopts a bold new look, more luxurious and tech-laden interior, the latest safety technology, a new petrol engine, and (soon) the option of hybrid power for the first time.
It will compete in one of Australia’s most popular new-car categories against the likes of its Mitsubishi Outlander twin under the skin, the top-selling Toyota RAV4, and the 2022 Drive Car of the Year-winning Kia Sportage.
How much does the Nissan X-Trail cost in Australia?
There are four models in the new Nissan X-Trail range. We are testing the ST-L, which is one model up from the base variant, in five-seat format and front-wheel drive (FWD).
Priced from $43,190 plus on-road costs, it is $3100 less than the seven-seat, all-wheel-drive (AWD) version of the ST-L – but $4515 more expensive than the same model grade in the outgoing Nissan X-Trail line-up.
Although it is positioned close to the base model in the new Nissan X-Trail range, it is priced similarly to – or slightly more expensive than – middle-of-the-range, petrol-engined, automatic versions of rival mid-size SUVs.
These include the Toyota RAV4 GXL 2.0-litre FWD ($41,600), Kia Sportage SX+ 2.0-litre FWD ($41,750), Hyundai Tucson Elite 2.0-litre FWD ($39,900), Mitsubishi Outlander Aspire 2.5-litre FWD ($43,240), Mazda CX-5 Touring 2.5-litre AWD ($43,700) and the Volkswagen Tiguan 110TSI Life 1.4-litre turbo FWD ($42,490). All prices listed are before on-road costs.
The Scarlet Ember red paint on this test car is a no-cost extra, so the vehicle amounts to about $47,000 drive-away, using a metro Sydney postcode on Nissan Australia’s online price calculator.
The X-Trail ST-L grade adds 18-inch wheels (up from 17s on the base ST), synthetic leather-look trim, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, a leather steering wheel, front parking sensors (in addition to the rear parking sensors already standard on the base model), a 360-degree camera (in lieu of only a rear camera on the base model), tyre pressure monitors, and lane-centring technology for highway driving.
Features shared with the $6440-cheaper X-Trail ST base model include an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (but no in-built navigation), a 7.0-inch instrument display, dusk-sensing LED headlights, six speakers, sensor-key entry, push-button start, rear parking sensors, power-folding mirrors, and a suite of advanced safety technology.
| Key details | 2023 Nissan X-Trail ST-L 2WD |
| Price | $43,190 plus on-road costs |
| Colour of test car | Scarlet Ember |
| Options | None |
| Drive-away price | $47,056 (Sydney) |
| Rivals | Toyota RAV4 | Kia Sportage | Mitsubishi Outlander |
How much space does the Nissan X-Trail have inside?
The new Nissan X-Trail’s cabin looks and feels much newer than its predecessor – because it is. Big display screens, a curated selection of well-presented dials and switches, and plush-looking materials complete the picture.
Most surfaces above the waistline of the cabin are covered in a leather-like material (even if it is just upholstered over hard plastic). Perceived build quality is fair for the class.
The front seats in this ST-L model grade are trimmed in faux leather – which feels plush enough for the price – and offer good comfort on long trips, with sufficient support for driving on winding roads. Front-seat heating is also standard.
Eight ways of adjustment in the driver’s seat, and tilt and reach adjustment in the steering wheel – which doesn’t feel too thick in the hand, and is trimmed in a soft leather material – allow drivers to find a comfortable position.
The driver’s seat has height adjustment, yet even in lower settings it delivers a commanding view of the road ahead.
Visibility is good thanks to the large windows in an era of sleek designs, and over-shoulder checks are aided by blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alert systems (activated by large sensors behind the rear bumper fascia).
Nissan should be commended for resisting the urge to move the air-conditioning controls into the touchscreen, and instead opting for a clear row of dials and buttons that are easy to use on the move.
To keep phones charged for front-seat occupants, there are two USB ports (one USB-A and one USB-C) and a 12-volt socket.
Comfort and convenience features include dual-zone air-conditioning, four one-touch power windows, a proximity key and push-button start, and a grippy rubber tray to place your phone or wallet.
Storage space is good for the class. The centre console is large, the front door bins are big enough for two bottles each, there are coin holders in the doors, and below the centre console is a large storage area for handbags or other large items.
The glovebox is on the small side – but the storage space elsewhere, and the rubberised tray ahead of the gearshifter, means there is enough space to store wallets, keys, phones, and more.
In the rear, there’s plenty of space for taller passengers – I can sit behind my 183cm driving position without touching the front seats or the roof, and there is enough room to comfortably slide my feet under the seat in front.
However, the lower cushions – or seat bases – in the back row lack support, particularly under the thighs.
For child seats, there are three top-tether points behind the rear backrests, and two ISOFIX anchorages in the outboard seats. The rear doors open to 85 degrees for easy access when loading kids and child seats.
Three passengers across the rear seats can travel in reasonable comfort, as the car is wide and there isn’t too much intrusion from a central transmission tunnel in the floor. When there isn’t someone sitting in the middle seat position, an armrest can be folded down.
The rear seats can also split-fold 40:20:40 to accommodate a mix of cargo and passengers.
Features for rear-seat passengers include map pockets on both front seats, two more USB ports (one USB-C and one USB-A), door bins large enough for a bottle each, two cupholders in the centre armrest, and rear air vents.
The materials used in the rear aren’t as nice as the front – the tops of the rear doors are hard plastic, though there is some faux leather further down the door panel.
Boot space is rated at 585L behind the second row in five-seat petrol Nissan X-Trail variants, but it is worth noting Nissan measures this to the roof of the car, rather than the parcel shelf as other manufacturers do.
The manual tailgate (power-operated tailgates are reserved for dearer models) opens wide to a broad, rectangular area that’s large enough for two full-size suitcases side by side. ST-L models and the next grades up have a two-piece adjustable boot floor to create maximum storage capacity – or use the cover to hide a decent-sized storage area below. There’s also a 12-volt outlet in the boot.
The flexibility of the cargo hold comes at a price: as with many SUVs, the Nissan X-Trail ST-L lacks a full-size spare tyre and instead comes with a skinny space-saver.
| 2023 Nissan X-Trail ST-L 2WD | |
| Seats | Five |
| Boot volume | 585L seats up (measured to the roof) |
| Length | 4680mm |
| Width | 1840mm |
| Height | 1725mm |
| Wheelbase | 2705mm |
Does the Nissan X-Trail have Apple CarPlay?
The two cheapest versions in the new Nissan X-Trail range are fitted with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and AM, FM and DAB+ digital radio.
The system is easy to use and the graphics are clear – but if you are keen on the latest software, and it’s within your budget, consider stepping up to the $7000-dearer Ti model that gains a larger 12.3-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay, built-in satellite navigation, and newer, faster software.
We encountered no issues with wired Apple CarPlay during our testing, and the clarity of the parking cameras is above average. The fitment of a 360-degree camera and both front and rear parking sensors at this price point is a welcome inclusion.
The driver’s instrument binnacle consists of two analogue dials and a 7.0-inch screen between them.
As with the infotainment screen, the instruments are clear, simple to read, and offer the key driving information – speed, fuel economy, safety systems, tyre pressures – but the Ti’s sharper and more feature-rich 12.3-inch widescreen cluster will appeal to tech fans.
We weren’t left longing for the Ti’s 10.8-inch head-up display, as the ST-L’s driver display is configured to show a giant digital speed readout that’s easy to comprehend at a glance.
All X-Trail models except the top-of-the-range Ti-L are equipped with an unbranded six-speaker sound system, which does the job fine – particularly given the car is quiet at freeway speeds – without bursting an eardrum.
Is the Nissan X-Trail a safe car?
The Nissan X-Trail earned a five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) based on the just-superseded 2020–22 protocols.
But it’s worth noting the rating is based primarily on testing of the smaller, related Nissan Qashqai SUV – and “ANCAP was provided with technical information and additional tests were conducted to show that the Qashqai rating is also applicable to the X-Trail”, the safety body says.
The X-Trail carries scores of 91 per cent for adult occupant protection, 90 per cent for child occupant protection, 74 per cent for vulnerable road user protection (pedestrians and cyclists), and 97 per cent for safety assist technology.
The X-Trail’s child occupant protection score is three percentage points lower than the Qashqai (90 vs 93 per cent), while its safety assist result is the second-best under the 2020–22 criteria, tied with the Qashqai and behind the Tesla Model Y (98 per cent).
| 2023 Nissan X-Trail ST-L 2WD | |
| ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2021) |
| Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the Nissan X-Trail have?
Seven airbags are standard – dual frontal airbags, side (torso) airbags for the front occupants, curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, and a centre airbag between the front seats to prevent occupants’ heads clashing in severe side-impact crashes.
Advanced safety technology on offer includes lane-keep assist, lane-centring assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver drowsiness detection, traffic sign recognition, tyre pressure monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, and door exit warning.
Further, the forward-facing autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system offers pedestrian and cyclist detection, and can brake if the car turns across the path of an oncoming vehicle in an intersection. There’s also low-speed rear AEB; a handy safety feature when reversing out of parking spaces or driveways when there are pedestrians or kids nearby.
During our time with the car, there were no false positives from the emergency braking tech (activating when there’s no object to hit), and lane-keep assist function was not overzealous, as it can be on some cars that have not been calibrated correctly.
While the emergency systems did not cut in unnecessarily – or apply steering or braking on the move – beeps and chimes were frequent occurrences, even detecting passing cars in other lanes while waiting to turn right into a side street.
The radar cruise control and lane-centring systems combine to form what Nissan terms its ‘ProPilot’ semi-autonomous system.
It generally works well, maintaining the gap to the car in front and steering within its lane – but the adaptive cruise control felt hesitant, and could be revised to react faster to cars ahead accelerating away, while the lane-centring system can drift out of the lane on tighter bends or when lane markings are faded or non-existent, causing the lane-keep assist to cut in and correct the car’s own mistake.
How much does the Nissan X-Trail ST-L cost to maintain?
The Nissan X-Trail is covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, with servicing required every 12 months or 10,000km – shorter intervals than most rivals, which call for maintenance every 12 months or 15,000km.
The X-Trail is also one of the most expensive models in the mid-size SUV category for routine maintenance priced at $2332 for five years/50,000km – or about $465 per year over the course of the warranty.
That is more expensive than key competitors over the same period, including the Toyota RAV4 ($1300), Honda CR-V ($995), Hyundai Tucson 2.0-litre petrol ($1595), Mazda CX-5 G25 petrol ($2073), and the Nissan’s Mitsubishi Outlander sibling ($1595).
However, it’s line-ball with a Kia Sportage 2.0-litre ($2395) and Subaru Forester (about $2400), and cheaper than a Volkswagen Tiguan 110TSI without a pre-paid service plan ($3323 without, but $1400 with).
A year of comprehensive insurance coverage costs approximately $1172 (from one leading insurer) based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
| At a glance | 2023 Nissan X-Trail ST-L 2WD |
| Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000km |
| Servicing costs | $1336 (3 years) $2332 (5 years) |
Is the Nissan X-Trail ST-L fuel-efficient?
Nissan claims front-wheel-drive, petrol X-Trails will consume 9.9 litres per 100km of fuel in the city, or 6.1L/100km on the highway, for a combined efficiency claim of 7.4L/100km.
Over 560km – consisting primarily of inner-city and suburban driving, but with some freeway use in the mix – the trip computer settled on 9.5L/100km.
If you rarely venture beyond the city limits, expect that fuel economy number to tick closer to 10.5 or 11L/100km, while buyers who frequent motorways can expect closer to 7.5 or 8.0L/100km. That is similar to other mid-size SUVs with non-turbo petrol engines.
However, if fuel economy is a high priority, a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid will easily return fuel economy of approximately 6L/100km, while a diesel Hyundai Tucson or Kia Sportage’s trip computer will show 6L/100km in ideal conditions.
If fuel consumption is a priority, but you’re set on a new Nissan X-Trail, consider the e-Power hybrid version. As our testing in recent years has shown across multiple brands, not all hybrids are created equal and we’ll cover the e-Power’s efficency in upcoming reviews.
There is one other footnote. For now, the e-Power hybrid system is only available on the flagship, better-equipped Ti and Ti-L models – and they are $10,000 to $15,000 more than this ST-L (at $54,190 to $57,190 plus on-road costs). For comparison, every Toyota RAV4 model grade is available with hybrid power for a $2500 premium over their equivalent petrol variants.
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Useage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 7.4L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 9.5L/100km |
| Fuel type | 91-octane unleaded |
| Fuel tank size | 55L |
What is the Nissan X-Trail ST-L like to drive?
Most models in the new Nissan X-Trail range are powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with outputs of 135kW and 244Nm – 9kW/19Nm more than the 2.4-litre engine in the old model.
All models send power through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This five-seat ST-L model is front-wheel drive, though all-wheel drive is available for $3100 extra, in conjunction with a third row of seats (for a total of seven).
The engine’s outputs may seem modest in a vehicle this size, and for a nearly 1.6-tonne mass, but the new 2.5-litre engine provides enough power for freeway merging and hills.
We found throttle response from rest to be unpredictable at first – sometimes jerky and over-eager, but other times on the sluggish side – but we got used to it and found the Standard drive mode delivered the most pleasant experience.
The X-Trail feels quicker off the mark than its twin under the skin, the Mitsubishi Outlander, which shares the 2.5-litre engine but is about 100kg heavier.
Not that these family SUVs are performance cars, we nevertheless ran some numbers to see how they compare against their contemporaries.
We recorded a 0–100km/h acceleration time of 8.4 seconds in this X-Trail ST-L front-wheel-drive test car – slightly quicker than most petrol-powered mid-size SUV rivals and a touch slower than a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid we tested recently.
Under heavy acceleration, the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) can induce some groaning from the engine as the revs climb, but overall it is one of the better CVTs we have tested.
It shuffles through its eight simulated gear ratios smoothly and responds quickly to a sudden demand for acceleration from the driver – mimicking a good impression of a traditional automatic transmission. There are paddle shifters behind the steering wheel for drivers who want more control over the transmission.
Around town, the X-Trail delivers a soft and compliant ride over speed bumps and imperfections in the road. Although occasionally the ride can have a firm edge, particularly compared to the Toyota Corolla Cross small SUV we drove shortly before this Nissan, which felt soft.
The trade-off for the hint of firmness over some city bumps is good body control on an undulating country road, with a sure-footed, tied-down feel that inspires confidence.
The X-Trail was more enjoyable to drive than we anticipated on a winding stretch of road, with body roll kept under control, and well-judged steering that is light in the city but also responsive at higher speeds, helping you feel better connected to the road.
Other positives: wind noise and tyre roar are reasonably well suppressed, the engine is generally quiet at cruising speeds, and the front seats are comfortable on long drives.
However, we weren’t as impressed with the X-Trail’s tyre grip and braking performance as its acceleration and handling.
Braking performance was not as respectable as the acceleration time, stopping from 100km/h in 40 metres in our testing. That is borderline average for a family car – particularly one on middle-of-the-road comfort tyres, not low-resistance eco rubber designed solely to maximise fuel economy.
It took some time to adjust to the feel of the brake pedal, which was not as linear as we’d like and needed to be pushed further towards the floor than is ideal before any significant braking force was applied – even in the daily commute.
The performance of the Bridgestone Alenza Sport A/S (235/60 R18) tyres was acceptable in the dry.
However, in the rain – or on a damp road – tyre grip is below average (even given the conditions), and it doesn’t take much throttle to get the front wheels spinning, whether accelerating into a gap in traffic or building speed up a hill.
On one occasion, we experienced some unnerving behaviour from the traction-control system on a damp road, which activated in the middle of a corner and caused the car to buck. We were unable to replicate this, so it may be a one-off incident specific to a particular set of conditions.
| Key details | 2023 Nissan X-Trail ST-L 2WD |
| Engine | 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol |
| Power | 135kW @ 6000rpm |
| Torque | 244Nm @ 3600rpm |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Continuously variable automatic (CVT) |
| Power to weight ratio | 86kW/t |
| Weight (kerb) | 1578kg |
| Spare tyre type | Space-saver |
| Tow rating | 2000kg braked 750kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 11.1m |
Should I buy a Nissan X-Trail ST-L?
The new Nissan X-Trail has been well worth the nine-year wait. The interior is spacious and plush, while the cabin and safety technology are finally up to date. It is well equipped for the money, and it is comfortable over bumps.
There remains room for improvement – it costs more to service than most rivals, the servicing intervals don’t favour long-distance drivers, and its braking performance and wet-weather grip aren’t as good as we would have liked.
The new engine is smooth and potent enough for the type and size of car, and what it’s expected to do. Its economy is fair for a petrol mid-size SUV, but a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid uses half as much fuel if that’s your priority.
Overall, the new Nissan X-Trail is a strong proposition in the mid-size SUV class.
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