X-Trail puts best foot forward

WEIGHT: PRAISEWORTHY RIDE, QUALITY AND STEERING >>> Despite limited price cut it remains expensive, though.

- Charl Bosch

This year marks 25 years since the first generation Nissan X-Trail when it went on sale in Japan and then later in Europe.

Fast forward to 2025 and the picture has changed dramatically for the SUV that effectively replaced the ladder-frame Terrano II. Launched locally two years ago, the internal named T33 has struggled to make the same impact as its forebears.

Nissan hopes to change that with a specification upgrade substantial price cut of between R40 000 and R100 000, although it is unlikely to fully restore the X-Trail to its former glory.

We recently got to spend a week in the flagship Acenta+, the only variant to offer seven seats, all-wheel drive and a two-tone paint option consisting of a Pearl White body colour contrasted by a black roof.

Apart from the trademark Nissan V-motion grille with a chrome surround, split LED headlights and 19-inch alloy wheels reserved only for the Acenta+, the X-Trail errs on the flamboyant side, though not as much as its platform rival, the Mitsubishi Outlander.

About as far removed from the critique that hindered the original, the X-Trail's interior puts functionality and ease of use first instead of relying on the typical minimalist design and list of features to win buyers over.

Still heavily dependent on physical switchgear, the overall execution is neat and ergonomically sound with soft-touch materials present on most surfaces.