2025 Nissan X-Trail N-Trek FWD review

There’s so much drama going on with Nissan at the moment, but its X-Trail is the definition of drama-free.

This is a mid-sized SUV that’s sensible to a fault, which is probably why it remains one of the most popular vehicles in its segment. And it’s growing in popularity, with sales up over 36 per cent last year.

Evidently Nissan’s drama hasn’t touched the X-Trail, then.

The mid-sized SUV segment is Australia’s largest by volume, and with that comes an extraordinary number of options. How does the X-Trail stack up, and does it deserve to be on your shortlist?

We’ve put an X-Trail N-Trek to the test, a new variant launched in 2024.

WATCH: Paul’s video review of the 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti-L AWD

Despite a name and design cues that suggest an extra degree of ruggedness, it’s mechanically unchanged. However, the extra kit it brings extends beyond cosmetic enhancements.

How much does the Nissan X-Trail cost?

On test we have the N-Trek FWD, which starts from $48,065 before on-road costs. An AWD version with seven seats is also available from $51,165 plus on-roads.

To see how the Nissan X-Trail stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

What is the Nissan X-Trail like on the inside?

The X-Trail’s interior mightn’t be the flashiest in the segment, but its mix of high-quality materials, tactile physical switchgear and a handsome overall design make this one of our favourite mid-sized SUV cabins.

The two-tone brown and black colourway carries over from the ST-L, and it’s an acquired taste. But the wood-look inserts and stitching details on the dash and centre console give this a more upmarket appearance than some rivals, while gloss-black trim is kept to a minimum.

We appreciate the use of soft-touch trim not just on the dashboard and the top half of the front doors, but also on the sides of the centre console where your knees may rest.

The only thing really letting down the ambience is the lack of LED interior lighting, while the gear shifter feels a bit cheap in operation.

Visibility out of the X-Trail is good, and we especially appreciate the presence of a washer function for the rear wiper in case you kick up a little dust.

The N-Trek’s $3600 premium over an equivalent ST-L is a tall order, but this trim level does bring a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.8-inch head-up display.

The former is fine, but the latter is an excellent inclusion as it allows you to keep your eyes on the road ahead.

The digital instrument cluster has the same annoying quirk of the screen in lesser X-Trails, wherein activating cruise control by default changes the screen over to a special cruise control display. But this is a minor gripe and easily sorted.

The infotainment system responds quickly, has a fairly intuitive menu structure, and has anchored shortcut buttons on the right-hand side. There’s also a surround-view camera display with acceptable resolution.

Measuring 12.3 inches, the system has a competitively sized touchscreen, too. For 2025, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto are standard fitment, while you can charge devices with a choice of USB-A or USB-C outlets or a wireless phone charger.

We had an annoying issue with the infotainment system, wherein activating Android Auto didn’t automatically connect Bluetooth, and we continued to get a pop-up message saying unable to connect to the device and to please check the device… only for us to go to the main menu and find the phone was connected.

We’re glad to see Nissan has stuck with plenty of physical switchgear. That includes an array of buttons plus a couple of tactile knobs for the climate control, as well as physical switches for volume control, the heated seats, and other key functions.

Storage up front is excellent, with a handy storage shelf under the centre console that will fit some handbags, plus bottle holders in the doors that can fit 1.5-litre bottles.

Unique to the N-Trek is water-resistant leatherette trim, which is pleasantly inoffensive.

The second-row bench is comfortable, and the X-Trail has plenty of space back here in every direction with only minimal intrusion from the driveline hump.

The rear seats can slide and recline and split and fold 60:40, while there are two ISOFIX and three top-tether anchor points for child seats.

Amenities include two USB-C outlets, air vents, map pockets on the seatbacks, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders.

There’s no third row in the front-wheel drive N-Trek, but one comes standard in the all-wheel drive model.

The all-wheel drive model’s third row is only designed for small children, however it’s often handy to have a third row if grandma is coming along for the drive and you need to banish a child to the farthest reaches of the cabin to make room.

You’ll need to decide if you’re willing to pay $3100 for the convenience, especially considering the third row doesn’t bring with it features like air vents or child-seat anchor points. There’s a split-level boot floor, under which sits a space-saver spare.

Nissan quotes boot space of 585L behind the second row, measured to the roof. It doesn’t provide a figure for total space when the second row is folded.

To see how the Nissan X-Trail stacks up against it rivals, use our comparison tool

What’s under the bonnet?

The non-e-Power X-Trail range is powered by a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, driving either the front or all four wheels, depending on variant.

To see how the Nissan X-Trail stacks up against it rivals, use our comparison tool.

How does the Nissan X-Trail drive?

The X-Trail offers a pleasant, middle-of-the-road driving experience.

Given Nissan isn’t marketing this as some canyon-carving performance SUV, that’s entirely fine. It’s zippy around town, easy to steer, and generally quiet and comfortable, hitting all the key requirements for a family-oriented mid-sized SUV.

Featuring an upgraded version of the previous-generation X-Trail’s underpinnings, the Nissan isn’t a clean-sheet design. It also first entered production back in 2020, even though it didn’t arrive here until 2022.

Some mid-sized SUVs have come along since which offer greater ride comfort. Don’t get us wrong: the X-Trail is generally smooth. However, across some divots and such, the suspension can react somewhat harshly.

On rougher roads, it also fidgets a bit, despite not having a particularly firm or sporty suspension tune.

Nissan has stuck with the venerable 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder for our market, despite a turbocharged three-cylinder being offered abroad.

While that doesn’t sound particularly exciting, the CVT does a good job keeping the engine in its optimum torque band and the X-Trail feels surprisingly zippy around town. We had no problem overtaking or squeezing into gaps in traffic, and this is a powertrain that feels better in reality than it looks on paper.

Too heavy a right foot and you can also chirp the front tyres, though it’s nowhere near the worst offender in this segment.

The engine doesn’t have the most exhilarating soundtrack, but not too much of the noise enters the cabin. More noticeable is the tyre roar noticeable at highway speeds, which makes the cabin a bit boomy.

The lane-keep assist doesn’t appear to default to on, which is good news if you hate such features.

There’s also a more aggressive lane-centring function, activated via a button to the right of the steering wheel, which does a good job of keeping you positioned in your lane but never lets you forget it’s working. It also dings whenever it can’t detect a lane marking.

Speaking of steering, the Nissan’s tiller is a bit lifeless. It’s light, making parking a breeze, but on winding roads there isn’t a natural build-up of weight. This makes the X-Trail feel unengaging to drive despite its generally well-controlled body roll.

If you’re after something sporty in this segment, we’d steer you towards something like a Mazda CX-5 or Volkswagen Tiguan, but we reckon for the typical family buyer the X-Trail strikes a more than acceptable balance.

To see how the Nissan X-Trail stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

What do you get?

The X-Trail has a sprawling range with a choice of both naturally aspirated and hybrid powertrains, front- or all-wheel drive, and five trim levels.

X-Trail ST equipment highlights:

• Proximity entry with approach unlocking and walkaway locking
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Automatic LED headlights
• Auto-folding, heated mirrors
• Roof rails
• Fabric upholstery
• Paddle shifters
• 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
• 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen
• DAB+ radio
• 6-speaker sound system
• 4 x USB points (one USB-A, two USB-C front and rear)
• Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
• Space-saver spare wheel

X-Trail ST-L adds:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Privacy glass
• Front parking sensors
• Fog lights
• Dual-zone climate control
• Synthetic leather-accented seats
• Heated front seats
• Power driver’s seat
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Satellite navigation
• Wireless phone charger
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Auto-dimming rear mirror
• Sliding rear seats, 40:20:40 folding
• ‘Divide-N-Hide’ cargo area system

X-Trail N-Trek adds:

• Dark-finish grille surround, lower front bumpers, mirrors, door handles and roof rails
• Unique 18-inch wheels
• LED fog lights
• Water-resistant synthetic leather
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 10.8-inch head-up display

X-Trail Ti adds (over ST-L):

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Panoramic sunroof
• Adaptive LED headlights
• Digital rear-view mirror
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Tri-zone climate control
• Real leather-accented seats
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 10.8-inch head-up display
• 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat with power lumbar
• Ambient console lighting
• Hands-free power tailgate

X-Trail Ti-L adds:

• Reverse-tilt power mirrors with memory
• Remote engine start
• Heated steering wheel
• Quilted Nappa leather upholstery
• Driver’s seat memory
• Heated outboard second-row seats
• Rear door sunshades
• Ambient interior lighting (door)
• Side mirrors with tilt-to-reverse
• Bose 10-speaker sound system

To see how the Nissan X-Trail stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

Is the Nissan X-Trail safe?

The Nissan X-Trail was awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on crash testing of the related Qashqai in 2021. The rating covers all models, including petrol and hybrid variants.

Standard safety features include:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian, cyclist detection
  • Junction assist
  • Reverse AEB with pedestrian detection
• Blind-spot assist
• Lane departure warning
• Lane-keep assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Automatic high-beam
• Adaptive cruise control
• Reversing camera
• Rear parking sensors
• 7 airbags incl. front-centre airbag

ST-L and above add:

• ProPILOT with active lane-centring function
• Surround-view camera
• Front parking sensors

To see how the Nissan X-Trail stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

How much does the Nissan X-Trail cost to run?

The X-Trail now boasts the longest warranty in its segment, with 10 years or 300,000km of coverage provided you service within the Nissan dealer network.

Should you cease servicing at a Nissan dealer, the warranty drops down to a five-year, unlimited-kilometre offering.

You can also buy a pre-paid service plan and save 10 per cent compared to paying for each service as they come.

To see how the Nissan X-Trail stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool

CarExpert’s Take on the Nissan X-Trail

The Nissan X-Trail is like a classic roast dinner.

It’s not the most exciting thing in its segment, but it’s hearty and satisfying.

The standard 2.5-litre engine isn’t as impressive a powertrain as the e-Power hybrid, but it’s got a class-competitive amount of get up and go and fuel economy.

The interior is spacious, comfortable, high-quality and nearly presented, while the driving dynamics are solid if unexciting.

The X-Trail won’t set your pulse racing, but sometimes you just need something safe, comfortable and drama-free.

Let’s hope Nissan can find those qualities in a new partner.

MORE: Everything Nissan X-Trail