WATCH: All-new Nissan X-Trail takes fight to Toyota RAV4

Nissan has been somewhat in hibernation for the past few years in my opinion, and now with the rollout of the Qashqai in 2022, and the all-new 2023 X-Trail, they are awakening and getting ready to go on a bit of a new product offensive.

New Nissan X-Trail video

I couldn’t pry any further details from the execs at the launch drive of the new X-Trail, but either way, this can only be good news for the brand and their loyal customers.

The Nissan X-Trail has been a staple in the brand’s SUV line up for as long as I can remember. Now some 20 years later and it’s fourth generation is here and it has eyes on one target and that is Toyota’s ever-popular RAV4.

But today is about my drive in the all-new Nissan X-Trail, where the Western Cape was again the host to our local media contingent.

Available in three variants for now, the Visia CVT, Acenta CVT, and Acenta Plus CVT (a Hybrid will arrive sometime in the future), externally the Nissan X-Trail offers that now unmistakable Nissan’s signature style V-Motion grill accompanied by distinctive and imposing front air vents and LED headlights. That familiar overall box shape look promises interior space for the entire family. When you jump inside, this is exactly what the X-Trail delivers on.

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Spacious interior

Ínside, the all-new Nissan X-Trail features rear doors that open to 85 degrees for easy access, five-seat and seven-seat offerings model dependants with 16 load configurations, USB ports front and rear plus three-zone air-conditioning. Taking all of these things into account, you just know the Nissan X-Trail will be a comfortable place to be on the open road.

Mom and dad stay informed and connected to the important stuff courtesy of three new displays including a 12.3-inch intuitive touch screen, 10.8-inch head-up display and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

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Heading out onto the road you have 135kW of power and 244Nm of 2.5-litre naturally aspirated power running through a CVT gearbox to an on demand all-wheel drive system. The system is complemented by five selectable Drive Modes, including Normal, Sport, Eco, Off-Road and Snow Mode.

The question remains, does the Nissan X-Trail’s engine have enough oomph? For easy, unloaded, driving around the Western Cape it was enough, but back up in Gauteng, you can’t but help feeling that you will be left wanting a bit more.

No hybrid yet

Talking of more, fuel consumption is claimed to be 7.4 litres per 100km, but a more realistic mid to high 8s was what we were averaging on the launch drive. I don’t think this is too bad for a medium-sized SUV and it’s a number that puts it right in the ballpark with the Nissan X-Trail’s main foe, the Toyota RAV4 2.5 VX.

It is perhaps worth noting that these number are nowhere near the 4.8-litres claimed Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, so you will have to wait for the ePower Hybrid if fuel consumption is the deciding factor in your Nissan X-Trail purchasing decision.

In wrapping up, the new X-Trail now also offers the likes of Intelligent Cruise Control, Predictive Front Collision Warning, Blind Spot Intervention, Cross Traffic Alert, Forward Emergency Braking, and ProPilot to complete a solid package.