The is a compact crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan since 2000, replacing the Rasheen and Terrano II. Since 2018, it is positioned between the Qashqai and the larger Murano.
Since the third-generation model, the X-Trail became the same vehicle as the Rogue sold in the United States and Canada. Also for the first time since the third-generation model, the X-Trail became available with third-row seating as an option (however the third-row seating option is not available on the Rogue version sold exclusively in the US and Canada). It also marked a departure in terms of design from a rugged boxy look to a more urban-oriented crossover SUV design. The fourth-generation model, launched for 2021, introduced an e-Power series hybrid powertrain option.
First generation (T30; 2000)
The T30 series X-Trail was unveiled at the September 2000 Paris Motor Show. It uses the Nissan MS/M&S/FF-S platform, shared with the Almera and the Primera. It entered production in October 2000, with sales in Japan commenced in November.
In the United Kingdom and Australia, the X-Trail was launched in October 2001. In June 2003, Nissan gave the car an interior and exterior facelift, while also upgrading the 2.2-litre turbo-diesels with a variable turbocharger (2.2 DCi rather than the earlier 2.2 Di), producing instead of the original . The external differences were slight, although the grille and the bumpers were redesigned and the Nissan logo was updated to the latest design.
The X-Trail's All-Mode 4x4 transmission transfer case enables the driver to select between 2WD, 4WD or 4WD Lock through an electronic switch on the dashboard. Nissan offered a hydrogen fuel cell model named the X-Trail FCV on lease to businesses. It was unveiled at the 60th Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2003, followed by the 37th Tokyo Motor Show in the following month.
While not marketed in the U.S., the X-Trail was sold in Canada for model years 2005 and 2006, and in Mexico since 2003.
Markets Japan In Japan, the X-Trail was equipped with the QR20DE petrol engine, which produces , and the SR20VET petrol turbocharged engine, which produces .
In February 2001, Nissan launched a special edition AWD X-Trail equipped with the SR20VET petrol turbocharged engine. Named the X-Trail GT, it was offered only in Japan. This was the first SR20 Nissan ever produced which paired their famous high-flowing VE head (Variable Valve Lift - "VVL") with a turbo ("DET" internals also), in a transverse engine mounting configuration with AWD. It was only offered with a 4-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive, model code is PNT30. The X-Trail GT has restyled grille and larger front bumper design, which was later used on the international market X-Trail.
On 1 October 2001, the St and Xt grades were added, followed by Stt and Xtt grades in October 2002.
The facelifted X-Trail was released in Japan on 9 June 2003.
United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, the first generation X-Trail was available in S, Sport and SE+ trim levels between launch and 2004. All models were equipped with full electric windows, electrically adjustable door mirrors (on SVE and T-Spec they were electrically folding also), climate control, single CD player, four airbags and remote central locking. There was also a Fat Face special edition in 2005, only for the United Kingdom, which was based on the Sports. They made 1,998 of them to celebrate the year Fat Face was set up. The trim levels were then revised to SE, Sport, SVE and T-Spec.
By 2006, Nissan had narrowed and revised the trim line up to just three variants, SE, Columbia, and top-grade Aventura equipped with heated and electrically operated front seats, leather upholstery, satellite navigation, and xenon headlights.
Australia In Australia, the X-Trail was available in standard ST, mid spec ST-S, high spec Ti and luxury spec Ti-L, with limited editions ST-X, ST-R, ST-S 40th anniversary models. All models were equipped with full electric windows, electric mirrors (electric folding on Ti-L), single CD player, two airbags and remote central locking. ST-S adds ST on sunroof and 16" alloy wheels. Ti adds ST on climate control, six disk CD player, fog lamps and 16-inch alloy wheels, and Ti-L adds Ti on leather and electric seats, sunroof, and optional DVD player. Limited edition ST-R adds ST on light emitting roof racks, with ST-S 40th Anniversary adding fog lamps to original ST-S.
Taiwan In 2003, Taiwanese Nissan distributor Yulon launched the Nissan X-Trail with a major design difference in the front end compared to the international version to fit the taste of the Taiwanese market. The design was done by Yulon Asia Technical Center under Yulon-Nissan Motors. The model was sold until 2006, when it received a minor facelift with new front bumper, grilles, headlamps, and LED tail lamps.
Due to the late facelift, Yulon-Nissan skipped the second generation X-Trail and continued the production of the facelifted Taiwanese Nissan X-Trail until 2008 and was replaced by the American imported first-generation Rogue. The X-Trail nameplate did not return until 2015 when the third generation Nissan X-Trail returned and continued to be domestically produced in Taiwan.
Philippines In the Philippines, Nissan Motors launched the X-Trail in 2003. The only available trim that time was the "200X". It is powered by Nissan's 2.0L QR20DE inline-four engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. It featured fabric upholstery, remote keyless entry, a roof rail, 2DIN 6 CD with 4 speakers audio system, immobilizer, & collapsible steering column.
By 2004, Nissan introduced an all-new trim the "250X". The "250X" is became powered by Nissan's 2.5L QR25DE engine mated to a standard 4-speed automatic transmission. It received redesigned 16-inch rims, baby fender mirror, rear spoiler (4x2 variant only), MP3 ready with 6 speaker audio system, angel-eye foglights, among other features.
In 2007, Nissan introduced another new trim the "Tokyo Edition 250X". It is powered by the same 2.0L QR20DE became equipped with CVTC paired to a standard 4-speed automatic transmission. It came with redesigned interior and grille, new colour options, chrome door handles, Kenwood MP3 ready audio system, leather seats, automatic climate control and unique body stripes.
The T30 X-Trail continued to be sold with the 2.0 engine alongside the T31 X-Trail with the 2.5-litre engine until 2014.
Canada
In 2006, Nissan Canada launched a Nissan X-Trail Bonavista Edition commercial, featuring a Nissan dealer speaking in an incomprehensible Newfoundland accent. The commercial itself backfired when Bonavista Mayor Betty Fitzgerald claimed it had portrayed people in Bonavista as people who cannot speak properly. To further expose the commercial's lack of linguistic authenticity, CBC News reported the sales rep was played by an actor from Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia. That commercial was parodied by a local car dealer in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in a radio advert that takes shots at Ontario marketing companies and Premier Dalton McGuinty's "nondescript" personality.
Engines Available only in the Japanese market is the SR20VET that produces and is used in the X-Trail GT. The Australian model is powered by a QR25DE 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine initially producing . From January 2006, the Australian spec engine was detuned to . Also available is the QR20DE four-cylinder engine, producing or with manual or automatic transmission. The best-selling engine option in the United Kingdom is the YD22DDTi, a 2.2-litre turbocharged common rail diesel.
Safety
Second generation (T31; 2007)
The second generation X-Trail had its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2007, and went on sale in Japan in August 2007, Europe in the third quarter of that year, and Australia and Mexico towards the end of the year. Slightly larger than the previous model, it is based on the Renault–Nissan C platform. The second generation was not sold in the United States and Canada, where it was instead replaced by the Rogue.
In Japan, the X-Trail was initially offered with two engines, a 2.5 petrol and a 2.0 petrol powered by a CVT transmission and a 6-speed manual mode for the 2.5 engines. There were two trims available, the entry level S and top-of-the-line X model.
The X-Trail GT SR20VET petrol turbocharged engine was not offered in the second generation X-Trail, due to the 2005 Japan vehicle emissions control. In September 2008, the 20GT became available in Japan, equipped with the M9R, a 2.0-litre turbocharged common rail diesel engine developed jointly with Renault. This was the first diesel X-Trail offered in the Japanese domestic market. The previous 2.2-litre dCI was replaced with two 2.0-litre dCI (M9R) versions, offering respectively.
The second generation was released in Malaysia in 2010, where it was fully imported from Indonesia. Only one variant was made available, which consisted of the MR20DE engine paired to a CVT transmission.
Facelift A facelifted second generation was released in Japan in July 2010. The Nissan X-Trail Platinum, with special features not seen on any other X-Trail, was released in a limited run of 200 vehicles for the United Kingdom in January 2012. The facelift version was made available in Malaysia in April 2013.
The second generation was replaced in October 2013, when the third generation X-Trail was unveiled in Japan. Only petrol engine variants were initially offered for Japan, with the diesel-engine second generation continuing to be available for the domestic market until early 2015.
Dongfeng Fengdu MX6 The Dongfeng Fengdu MX6 is a rebadged version of the X-Trail T31, featuring restyled front and rear bumpers produced by Zhengzhou-Nissan, and branded under the Dongfeng-Fengdu sub-brand of Dongfeng Motor Corporation. In March 2015, the model went on sale in China with 4WD and 2WD models available. The 2.0-litre MR20DE engine is standard along with a 6-speed manual or CVT gearbox. Trim levels are Standard, Excellence and Premium.
Safety
Third generation (T32; 2013)
The third generation X-Trail was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Based on an all-new CMF-CD platform shared with the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Koleos, the vehicle is a common successor for the second generation X-Trail and the Rogue that is offered in North America. It enables the model to be available in 190 countries around the globe, a projection Nissan made during its launch. It ditches the boxy SUV look in favour of an urban crossover look and softer lines inspired from the Hi-Cross Concept.
Although the new Nissan X-Trail has a larger surface area than the outgoing car, Nissan says weight has been reduced wherever possible. It features a tailgate dominated by plastic which saves 7 kg. Aerodynamics have also benefited from carefully shaped door mirrors as well as a spoiler that covers the exhaust box and rear panel.
The vehicle was also subsequently unveiled the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show 2013, and the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.
Production of the third-generation model continues in China alongside its successor, and it is sold as Nissan X-Trail Honor by Dongfeng Nissan since 2021. In 2023, it was renamed as the Nissan X-Trail Classic.
Markets
Asia Japanese sales commenced on 11 December 2013. Powered by a MR20DD engine, and an option of two or three rows of seats. Variants include 20S, 20X, 20X Emergency Brake Package, 20X X-TREMER X and 20X Emergency Brake Package X-TREMER X. In April 2015, Nissan announced that an X-Trail hybrid with claimed fuel economy of 4.9 L/100 km was coming to Japan.
Chinese models went on sale in the end of March 2014.
It was also launched in Thailand in November 2014 and it is manufactured in Samut Prakan, Thailand for Thai domestic demand.