2017 Nissan X-Trail: Which spec is best?

Nissan’s popular X-Trail mid-size SUV has arrived in showrooms fresh from undergoing a mid-life facelift that has brought subtle exterior changes, additional standard tech including autonomous emergency braking and a 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine that sips fuel at 6.0L/100km.

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Variants

The X-Trail range carries over the same names as before but now includes two diesel variants. There are five main model grades, from the entry-level ST, to TS, ST-L, Ti and TL.

The X-Trail ST is powered by the 2.5-litre, four-cylinder, petrol engine carried over from the previous model and is available as front-wheel-drive with a six-speed manual or auto CVT, and with five- or seven-seat configuration. There is also a five-seat four-wheel-drive version with a CVT.

Starting at $27,990, the ST comes with LED daytime running lights, auto headlights, 5.0-inch screen, reversing camera, cruise control, push button start, forward collision warning, ‘intelligent emergency braking’, adjustable second row seating and new 17-inch alloy wheels.

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The TS 4WD is equipped similarly to the ST but is powered by a new 2.0-litre, four cylinder turbo diesel engine that can send power to all four wheels via the CVT. The diesel engine attracts a $3000 price premium over the similar ST 4WD.

The ST-L has the same engine, drivetrain and seating options as the ST but there is no manual version. Extras include blind spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, 7.0-inch touchscreen with around-view monitor, satellite navigation, power adjustable heated front seats, leather accented seat trim, digital radio, dual-zone climate control, fog lights and roof rails.

The Ti and TL 4WD variants are essentially the same as each other in terms of equipment, but feature a petrol or diesel engine respectively. They have a host of standard features above the ST-L grade including 19-inch alloys, corner sway headlamps, auto emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, Bose premium audio system, motion-activated tailgate, heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, rain-sensing wipers, auto levelling LED headlights and a panoramic sunroof.

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• X-Trail ST manual, petrol, FWD - $27,990
• X-Trail ST, CVT, petrol, FWD - $30.490
• X-Trail ST, CVT, petrol, FWD, 7 seats - $31,990
• X-Trail ST, CVT, petrol, 4WD - $32,490
• X-Trail TS, CVT, diesel, 4WD - $35,490
• X-Trail ST-L, CVT, petrol, FWD - $36,590
• X-Trail ST-L, CVT, petrol, FWD, 7 seats - $38,090
• X-Trail ST-L, CVT, petrol, 4WD - $38,590
• X-Trail Ti, CVT, petrol, 4WD - $44,290
• X-Trail TL, CVT, diesel, 4WD - $47,290

Our pick

If you’re after a family SUV that will perform most of its duties around town, the X-Trail ST-L with seven seats is good buying. Its third row of seating makes it more useful for families, and it has leather trim, satellite navigation, a bigger control screen, and more active safety features.

If you’re more of a country mouse it’s hard to go past the TS 4WD model with the diesel engine and plenty of boot space. Unfortunately, the lack of an ST-L diesel equivalent means you’d have to spend considerably more on the TL if you want the extra options.