By Staff Reporter

Nissan hasn’t had the greatest of times recently. Leadership and financial challenges have plagued the company. The arrival of the new Nissan X-Trail will be sure to lift spirits at the Japanese manufacturer. The X-trail is one of Nissan’s best selling cars and there is little doubt that the new third generation will continue to do well for Nissan.

Outside

The new X-Trail changes dramatically outside. The modern design sees Nissan V-motif over the whole newly designed grille. The new multi-level LED headlights are also be hard to miss. LED fog lights will be offered as standard on higher grades.

In terms of proportions, body itself measures 1.5 inches shorter and 0.2 inches lower than the previous generation. Nissan attribute this to improved driving manoeuvrability. Key aerodynamic features include “3D” tire deflectors in the lower front fascia, an active grille shutter to control air flow into the engine compartment, special A-pillar shaping, underbody covers to manage air flow under the vehicle and a unique “air curtain” that precisely directs air flow from the front to the sides of the X-Trail.

The 2021 X-Trail will be offered in a wide range of colour combinations, including – for the first time – five two-tone combinations.

Inside

Inside drivers have access to information via a full-colour 10.8-inch head-up display, 12.3-inch “Digital Dashboard” gauge cluster and large, floating 9.0-inch touch screen. The new infotainment is offered with AppleCar Play and the feature will be available without the necessity of a cable. A new wireless smartphone charger allows phones with a range of charge power applications (15-watt maximum) to be charged while driving.

The new X-Trail gets a Tri-Zone Climate Control which means rear seat occupants can control their temperature separate from the front driver and passenger control.

In terms of practicality, the rear doors themselves are extra-wide open nearly 90 degrees, making it easier to get a child seat in or out, and also easing ingress and egress. The new electronic shifter design eliminates the need for mechanical equipment under the shifter, allowing extra storage space under the new “floating” center console.

Three interior colour choices are offered: Charcoal, Grey and Tan.

Safety

Nissan Safety Shield 360 standard across the entire line-up. Nissan Safety Shield 360 technologies include Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist and Rear Automatic Braking. The 2021 X-Trail also offers 10 standard supplemental air bags and extended crumple zones to help protect occupants.

In addition to Safety Shield 360, the new X-Trail also offers Nissan’s innovative Intelligent Driver Alertness technology and Rear Door Alert as standard equipment on all grade levels. Also available is Blind Spot Intervention and Traffic Sign Recognition. Intelligent Cruise Control is included as part of the available ProPILOT Assist system. The latter system is improved by linking ProPILOT Assist with Nissan’s Door-to-Door Navigation System, the navigation map data can now provide the ability to proactively reduce speed for upcoming freeway curves or junctions and also help the driver slow for freeway exits.

Additionally, the hold time in stop-and-go highway traffic changes from the previous three seconds to up to 30 seconds (for vehicles with ProPILOT Assist with Navi-link only) – allowing the vehicle to remain stopped and automatically continue without the driver resetting the function or tapping the accelerator pedal. Finally, using traffic sign recognition, the system can also automatically update the vehicle’s speed when the speed limit goes up or down.

Engine

Every 2021 X-Trail features a standard 2.5-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine with Nissan’s Direct Injection Gasoline system making 135 kW of power and 245 Nm of torque. The engine will be paired with a continuously variable transmission.

The above specifications are for overseas markets and South Africa specifications will no doubt be specified closer to local launch.