The new Nissan Rogue was unveiled to the United States in June 2020; however, the equivalent X-Trail wasn't debuted until July this year overseas in Japan. Now it is Europe's turn to get the midsize SUV that has three-row seating, optional all-wheel drive, and an electrified powertrain with a three-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine.
The main reason people have been attracted to X-Trail for the past three generations has been its calming and Richie style that makes it look strong without seeming pushy. Customers like knowing their car is unique, so the new X-Trail will be available in 10 different colors with 5 two-tone choices, making a total of 15 possibilities.
The X-Trail boasts enough space to comfortably seat passengers up to 160 centimeters tall in the rear seats. Additionally, the second-row bench can be configured to split 60:40 and slide forward, making it easier for people to access the third row. With all seats in place, the cargo capacity stands at 585 liters - 20 liters more than its predecessor.
The all-new X-Trail is built on the same Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance CMF-C platform as the Qashqai. The body in white is more lightweight owing to the increased use of lighter materials and advanced stamping and welding processes, which improve strength while also lowering weight. For the first time, the rear hatchback door on the X-Trail is constructed of a composite material. The front and back doors, front fenders, and hood are all now composed of aluminum.
The new X-Trail's updated suspension system offers a Macpherson strut set-up at the front and an advanced multi-link set-up at the rear. The power steering has also been upgraded for response, central part of the steering range feeling, and reduced friction.
The new X-Trail will be the second vehicle in Nissan's European lineup to be powered by the e-POWER drive technology. The e-POWER system, which is only available from Nissan, is an approach to electrification that delivers the EV-drive experience without needing to recharge.
The new X-Trail's e-POWER system is comprised of a high-output battery and powertrain integrated with a 1.5-litre Variable Compression Ratio turbo petrol engine, power generator, inverter and 150kW front electric motor. This unique powertrain means that power to the wheels comes only from an electric motor, which results in instant, linear response to the accelerator. A final system power output is 150 kilowatts (204 horsepower) of power and 330 Newton-meters (243 pound-feet) of torque. This e-POWER system can propel a 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in eight seconds.
The X-Trail will also be available with a simpler gasoline mill. The 1.5 litre engine generates 120kW (163PS) and 300Nm of torque, is offered only in two-wheel drive configuration, and uses Xtronic stepped continuously variable transmission to power the wheels. The car is powered by a 12v mild hybrid powertrain. The technology offers torque assist, extended idle stop, quick restart, and coasting stop, with benefits to both fuel economy and CO2 output.
Nissan will also be selling the X-Trail in Europe with AWD by installing an electric motor on each axle for a combined output of 157 kW (213 PS) thanks to the rear 94 kW motor. The all-paw configuration allows the SUV to sprint in 7 seconds for the five-seat model and 7.2 seconds with seven seats. Though not many people care about top speed when buying such a vehicle, the single-motor setup maxes out at 106 mph (170 km/h) whereas the dual-motor configures enables a maximum velocity of 112 mph (180 km/h).
The new X-Trail is equipped with the ProPILOT with Navi-link driver assistance. The system is able to accelerate and brake the vehicle within a single-lane on a highway. The system can accelerate the vehicle to cruise at a set speed, and can brake the vehicle down to 0 km/h in heavy stop-start traffic. The system is able to resume automatically if the vehicle has been stationary for less than three seconds and the traffic in front of the car moves away.
On the new Nissan X-Trail, the updated system is now able to adapt the car's speed according to additional external circumstances: when the car crosses to a lower speed limit zone on the highway, the system is able to read road signs and take into account navigation system speed limit data to slow the X-Trail to the appropriate speed, meaning the driver doesn't need to adjust the cruise control speed manually.
The ProPILOT can also use data from the navigation system to adjust the speed for approaching curves on the highway that have a tighter radius. Furthermore, ProPILOT with Navi-link can now communicate with the X-Trail's blind-spot radars to help intervene with a steering input correction to help prevent a lane-change manoeuvre, if there is a vehicle in the blind-spot zone.
The 2023 Nissan X-Trail, which is already accessible to book in certain European markets, starts at €38,080 in Italy, where it is available in four grades.
Source: Nissan