Nissan has revealed the fourth generation of its most important model globally. Due in Australia next year (exact timing is yet to be confirmed), the 2021 Nissan X-Trail will once again compete with cars such as the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson in one of the fiercest segments in the Australian market.
Stylistically a big departure from the current model, the 2021 Nissan X-Trail is a decidedly more modern-looking SUV, with more than a few Juke-inspired styling elements. Like its smaller stablemate, the X-Trail has moved to a twin-headlight design, with the daytime running lights and indicators perched on top and the main beams placed lower down. Elsewhere, you can find a fresh set of angular LED tail lights and an optional contrast roof.
Bucking the trend of cars getting bigger with each generation, the 2021 Nissan X-Trail is actually 38mm shorter than the outgoing model at 4,603mm in length. The new model also loses two seats in the process, now only offering five seats across the range.
The interior is an even further departure from the functional-but-bland design of the previous generation. The dash’s two-tier design props the infotainment screen atop a leather-look upper dash – with an 8-inch touchscreen on lower-spec models or a new ‘floating’ 9-inch touchscreen on top-spec models – while the lower section hosts the HVAC controls.
Other technology highlights include a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, a 10.8-inch colour heads-up display that’s projected onto the windscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto accessible through either a traditional USB-A or a future-proofed USB-C port.
The centre console has had space freed up courtesy of a new electronic gear selector, creating a storage shelf for mobile phones or keys. The press shots of the US-market Rogue reveals a range of interior trims and colours, including timber on the dash and either charcoal or tan leather wrapping the NASA-inspired ‘Zero Gravity’ seats. Of course, official specs of the Australian market X-Trail are yet to be announced.
The 2021 X-Trail will also see some new additions to its already-comprehensive range of active safety technology. A driver attention monitor and rear-door alert will keep you and the kids safe.
While unconfirmed, we expect the new X-Trail to be built on a revised version of Renault-Nissan’s CMF-C/D platform that now offers multi-link rear suspension. It will use the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine as the current model, though slightly beefed up – the US model produces 135kW of power and 245Nm of torque, which is up on the current model’s 126kW/237Nm outputs.
There’s no word on whether a diesel engine will be offered again – especially considering the Australian market is moving away from diesel engines – though a hybrid is likely considering Nissan’s recent e-Power (their branding of hybrid drivetrains) push.
Australia
Nissan Australia are yet to reveal specifications or timing on the Australian-market 2020 Nissan X-Trail, but we expect it to launch in around 12 months time. Luckily for Nissan, the current model is still a strong seller despite being one of the older models in its segment.
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