Nissan X-Trail gets more kit for 2021

NISSAN Australia has updated its X-Trail medium SUV for 2021 with a heap of new cabin tech and some shiny new wheels for the mid-range ST-L variants with prices rising by between $475-$675 across the range.

Away from the pricing, the line-up has been trimmed in terms of variants with the N-Sport, N-Treks and TL all getting the chop.

All remaining variants for 2021 score Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, accessed via a new-generation 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring DAB+ digital radio and voice recognition.

The only other change of note is the addition of intelligent driver alert to the ST-L and Ti variants’ safety suite and the aforementioned redesigned 18-inch alloys for the former.

Besides the new gear outlined above, standard equipment highlights on the base model STs (from $30,665) and diesel-powered TS ($37,465) also include 17-inch alloys, power folding mirrors, flat-bottom steering wheel, rearview camera, keyless entry and push-button start, Bluetooth, 40/20/40 split-folding and sliding second row and cruise control.

Stepping up from the ST to the ST-L (from $38,525) adds the previously mentioned bigger wheels, leather-accented steering wheel and upholstery, power-adjustable heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, satellite navigation with traffic monitoring, rear privacy glass, front fog lamps and roof rails.

At the top of the range, the Ti ($45,965) builds further on the ST-L’s spec with extra niceties like a heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, powered sunroof, power tailgate, bigger 19-inch alloys, auto-dimming rearview mirror, self-levelling LED headlights, adaptive front lighting system, heated door mirrors and rain-sensing wipers.

Safety gear across the range meanwhile consists of anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, intelligent emergency braking with forward collision warning, vehicle dynamic control, hill start assist, limited-slip differential, hill descent control for AWDs, intelligent trace control, intelligent engine brake and intelligent ride control.

Much like the standard equipment lists, more features are added the higher up the range you go with the ST-L also coming with an ‘around view’ monitor, moving object detection, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.

Once again the Ti ups the ante with lane departure warning, lane departure prevention, intelligent emergency braking with pedestrian detection and intelligent cruise control.

No changes have been made under the bonnet of any X-Trail variants for 2021, meaning the range is still powered by a 106kW/200Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, a bigger 2.5-litre unit good for 126kW/226Nm and a 130kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-banger.

All versions besides the base 2.0-litre are paired with a continuously variable transmission while the base model scores a six-speed manual.

According to Nissan Australia managing director Stephen Lester, the addition of the new cabin tech and safety features ensures the X-Trail “remains one of the most compelling SUV offerings in Australia”.

The X-Trail has had a strong start to 2021, chalking up 1593 sales last month and accounting for 12.5 per cent of total sub-$40,000 medium SUV sales, enough to make it the third-best-selling model behind the Toyota RAV4 (3066/24.1%) and Mazda CX-5 (2081/16.3%).

2021 Nissan X-Trail pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs