2024 Nissan X-Trail N-Trek 2WD Review

This is where the X-Trail N-Trek variant steps into the equation, offering a host of outdoor-inspired touches to the mid-range X-Trail ST-L, to help distinguish it from the range.

Nissan offers the X-Trail N-Trek in both a five and seven-seat layout, the latter of which picks up a more capable all-wheel drive system, while the five-seater you’re looking at here makes do with a front-wheel drive system.

It’s fair to say that the majority of X-Trails spent most of their time in the urban jungle, though, which begs the question of how well-behaved it is on a daily jaunt around town.

Let’s take a look at the X-Trail N-Trek 2WD from every angle to find whether those equipment upgrades have translated to a great value proposition within the wider X-Trail range.

Nissan X-Trail N-Trek Competition

How Much Does the Nissan X-Trail N-Trek Cost?

The Nissan X-Trail N-Trek 2WD is priced at $47,790 before on-road costs, while the X-Trail N-Trek AWD receives a $50,890 price tag before on-road costs are applied.

This puts the N-Trek at a $3,600 premium over their equivalent ST-L variants, though there is a hefty list of equipment upgrades that help justify the price.

The only issue with the X-Trail N-Trek’s pricing is that it sits perilously close to the ST-L e-Power with e-4orce hybrid that offers significant efficiency gains.

For reference, pricing for the 2024 X-Trail range kicks off from $37,750 for the entry-level X-Trail 2WD and caps out at $58,990 for the range-topping X-Trail Ti-L e-Power with e-4orce.

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Nissan X-Trail N-Trek SV (2WD) Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Nissan X-Trail N-Trek Have?

The X-Trail N-Trek is based on the ST-L grade, with a host of aesthetic and technology upgrades thrown in on top.

Headlining the list of N-Trek-specific features is a set of bespoke 18-inch alloys, LED fog lights, a dark grey finish for the front grille and bumper, as well as the roof rails, door handles and mirrors.

The interior receives upgraded leatherette upholstery with a waterproof finish over the ST-L’s leatherette-accented upholstery.

On the technology front, the X-Trail N-Trek picks up a 10.8-inch head-up display, a 12.3-inch infotainment system, a wireless smartphone charger and an upgraded infotainment system.

N-Trek Buyers also pick up features packaged into lesser X-Trail variants like adaptive cruise control, a surround-view monitor with front & rear parking sensors, Nissan’s Pro-Pilot driving aid, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Nissan X-Trail N-Trek Connectivity & Infotainment Features

Aside from the visual upgrades, there are some significant technology upgrades applied to the X-Trail N-Trek.

Over the ST-L’s 7.0-inch TFT driving cluster and the 8.0-inch infotainment system, buyers pick up a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display.

Upgrading to the N-Trek also adds satellite navigation in the mix.

These additions give the X-Trail’s cabin a much more high-tech nature and help to give it some legs as a value proposition within the wider X-Trail lineup, as the ST-L’s 8.0-inch display looks pretty measly in comparison.

Nissan’s infotainment system is a solid offering in the segment, with a straightforward menu layout that is easy to navigate, and high brightness levels from the HD display, while the six-speaker sound system is carried over from the ST-L.

Does the Nissan X-Trail N-Trek Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

One key feature specific to the X-Trail N-Trek is the addition of wireless Apple CarPlay, which will come as good news for owners of an iPhone.

Unfortunately, though, the wireless smartphone mirroring is reserved for iOS users, with the X-Trail N-Trek requiring Android owners to connect their phone via a USB-C port to access Android Auto.

Over a week behind the wheel, Nissan’s infotainment system performed admirably, with no drop-outs in the wireless connection.

Is the Nissan X-Trail N-Trek Comfortable to Drive?

Though it’s billed as an adventurous take on the X-Trail, the N-Trek does not receive any mechanical improvements that make it a more versatile midsize SUV package.

Having said that, Nissan’s X-Trail in its base form offers a healthy amount of ground clearance that lends itself nicely to some light off-roading excursions.

On the road, the X-Trail N-Trek feels sure-footed and makes for a confident midsize SUV package on a variety of Aussie road conditions.

Under the bonnet, you’ll find a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 135kW of power and 244Nm of torque which, in this 2WD variant, powers the front wheels via a CVT automatic.

Nissan’s engine powering the majority of the X-Trail range is decent but definitely isn’t groundbreaking for a segment littered with more torque-filled turbocharged engines.

The same goes for the CVT automatic transmission which, admittedly, is predictable and smooth in its power delivery, though the elasticity does detract from the driving experience when you’re pushing.

Around town, the X-Trail N-Trek is extremely easy to drive, making light work of a school run, a dash to the shops and navigating tight car parks.

Acceleration off the line feels healthy, with the X-Trail happy to dart through traffic with some nimble handling, a sharp steering ratio and a tight turning circle.

The X-Trail’s steering is weighted incredibly light which has its pros and cons.

The main advantage is just how easy it is to throw the steering around with just a pinch of the wheel, making light work of a three-point turn or squeezing your way out of a cramped parking lot.

One thing that detracts from the everyday driving experience is the chunky C-pillar at the rear and the relatively small boot window which reduces the amount of rear visibility.

Pick up the pace and you’ll find the X-Trail rides on the firmer side, but not unreasonably so.

This suspension setup also helps to improve its confidence in the corners, but it does come at the expense of some thumping over larger bumps and potholes on the road that some rivals might handle with more sophistication.

That said, a drive on rougher country roads shows that the X-Trail remains confident when the going gets tough, with the suspension handling the bumps while keeping the body very much under control.

On the highway, the X-Trail N-Trek is lovely, with the quiet ride and smooth CVT automatic serving up a brief boost in power when you need to overtake but keeping things quiet and refined at speed.

All up, the X-Trail N-Trek is an impressive all-rounder for the midsize SUV segment, though its powertrain is quite underwhelming compared to the similarly-priced e-POWER hybrid lineup.

Is the Nissan X-Trail N-Trek Good Off-Road?

While it’s billed as an adventurous take on the X-Trail, the N-Trek misses out on any mechanical upgrades that would make it a more competent light off-roader in the midsize SUV segment.

That said, the X-Trail’s 205mm of ground clearance gives it an edge over some softer members of the medium SUV segment and helps to give it a more versatile set of skills when you’re pushing on loose gravel trails.

I wouldn’t recommend pushing too hard in the X-Trail, though, at least not in this 2WD variant which puts its power to the front wheels, with AWD variants offering by far the most adept skillset.

Is the Nissan X-Trail Fuel Efficient?

One of the advantages of the more affordable N-Trek 2WD is that fuel economy figures are lower than its four-paw siblings.

The major disadvantage, though, is that all those styling and tech upgrades put it awfully close to the price of the X-Trail e-Power hybrid range which offers even more significant fuel savings.

That said, the X-Trail N-Trek 2WD sips fuel reasonably well, consuming 7.4L per 100km on a combined cycle, which we were able to improve upon in our time behind the wheel on a mix of town, country and highway driving.

Our mix of town, country and highway kilometres saw us average a very impressive 6.5L per 100km, though larger stints around town will see you coming closer to Nissan’s official figures.

How Much Fuel Does the Nissan X-Trail N-Trek 2WD use Around Town?

• X-Trail N-Trek 2WD (tested) City Consumption: 9.9L per 100km

• X-Trail N-Trek AWD City Consumption: 10.0L per 100km

How Much Fuel Does the Nissan X-Trail N-Trek 2WD use on the Highway?

• X-Trail N-Trek 2WD (tested) Highway Consumption: 6.1L per 100km

• X-Trail N-Trek AWD Highway Consumption: 6.5L per 100km

Is the Nissan X-Trail N-Trek Practical and Spacious?

Step inside the X-Trail N-Trek and it’s clear to see just how significant of an upgrade the 2024 range is over its predecessors.

The layout is sharper, more spacious and practical than the previous gen X-Trail and has received some much-needed tech upgrades that make it far more competitive with the best of the midsize SUV segment.

It’s important to note that the more affordable N-Trek 2WD is offered solely as a five-seater, while the N-Trek 4WD receives a seven-seat cabin.

In all honesty, the X-Trail platform lends itself to a five-seater with a large boot better than it does a seven-seater, which offers more of a five + two seating arrangement over a fully-fledged seven-seater.

Up front, things are spacious with a tonne of headroom for taller drivers, with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a soft finish for the most important touchpoints offering a more premium feel.

There’s also the waterproof leatherette upholstery upgrade that is a nice touch for the more adventurous buyer, while the larger infotainment display and the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster clearly distinguish it from the more affordable ST-L range.

In terms of storage, the X-Trail’s redesigned cabin ticks many important boxes, with a clever storage tray sitting beneath the centre console to keep valuables out of sight.

Combined with a small tray sitting behind the gear lever, a pair of large cupholders, additional storage in the centre-split console, glove box and door sills and you’ve got yourself a healthy range of storage options.

Move to the second row and things get even better, with the X-Trail offering a healthy amount of legroom and tonnes of headroom to keep tall adults happy in the rear.

Those sitting in the rear pick up a pair of USB charging ports as well as rear air vents, map pockets, door bins and a folding centre armrest with storage inside.

Finally, the X-Trail’s rear bench seat comes packaged with two pairs of ISOFIX anchors as well as three top tether mounts on the seatbacks, while the super wide-aperture doors give easy access while installing a bulky child seat.

How Big is the Nissan X-Trail N-Trek’s Boot?

The X-Trail N-Trek has one of the most versatile boot designs in the segment in a nod true to its original design brief.

Boot space in the five-seat N-Trek variant totals a hefty 585L, which is a noticeable premium over the 465L of boot space on offer in seven-seat X-Trail variants.

Fold down the rear seats and you’ll unlock a tonne of acreage in the back of the X-Trail, though Nissan doesn’t put an official number.

What we can tell you, though, is that there’s ample space for bulky items and sports gear, though the rear wheel arches do impede width.

There’s also some small vertical rises between the floor and folded seats that get in the way of sliding gear in smoothly.

The adjustable boot floor does, however, allow you to configure your perfect setup, hide some values underneath or raise the boot floor to be more flush with the folded rear seats.

All up, there’s a great amount of boot space in the X-Trail N-Trek to match its adventure-ready nature.

Is the Nissan X-Trail N-Trek Safe?

Another key upgrade in the latest X-Trail range is a raft of modern safety touches that help keep it competitive with the biggest names in the medium SUV segment.

The X-Trail N-trek picks up some added safety gear over the base model like a surround-view monitor with front parking sensors and Nissan’s ProPilot active cruise control with lane-centring.

These are in addition to forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection and junction assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and seven airbags.

All things considered, the X-Trail certainly matches its rivals when it comes to safety equipment, with the N-Trek picking up some added tech to help sweeten the deal.

Does the Nissan X-Trail Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

It sure does, full-marks in fact after ANCAP gave it the five-star safety tick in testing conducted in 2021 where it scored the following:

• Adult Occupant Protection: 91%

• Child Occupant Protection: 90%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 74%

• Safety Assist: 97%

What Warranty Does the Nissan X-Trail N-Trek Come With?

Nissan offers the X-Trail N-Trek lineup with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre factory warranty.

The company also offers five-years worth of roadside assist.

One downside in terms of ownership is the X-Trail’s shorter service intervals, which is required at 12-months or 10,000-kilometres and remains a bit of an oddity for a naturally aspirated powertrain.

Nissan offers six capped-price services for the X-Trail range, which total $2,989 in the X-Trail 2WD range, with the 4WD range slightly more expensive to service, totalling $3,056 over the course of six services.

With the shorter service intervals and somewhat pricey servicing costs, the X-Trail is somewhere in the middle of the pack when it comes to competitive ownership costs.

Our Verdict: Is the Nissan X-Trail N-Trek Worth it?

The X-Trail is an impressive and versatile midsize SUV that over-delivers on second-row accommodation, making it particularly family-friendly.

Specifically, the X-Trail N-Trek range does offer some material improvements over the ST-L grade it’s based on, headlined by the design tweaks and the added entertainment & safety technology. 

There is, however, the price premium to contend with, with the N-Trek variant sitting perilously close to the ST-L hybrid which comes powered by a superior and far more fuel-efficient engine, though the equipment upgrades might be a higher priority for some buyers.

If you’re serious about some light off-roading excursions on the weekend, you’re better off sticking with the N-Trek AWD or the more affordable ST-L AWD.

If, however, you’re looking for an X-Trail predominantly for the urban jungle, we’d be giving the ST-L e-Power Hybrid a seriously close inspection due to the improved driving dynamics and fuel savings over time that lessen the pricey and more frequent visits to the service centre.

Don’t forget that if you’re in the market for a new car, our team of car-buying experts can help you find the best possible price and take all the stress out of the process.

Five Nissan X-Trail N-Trek Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with six capped-price services

2. 12-month/10,000-kilometre service intervals

3. 7.4L per 100km combined cycle fuel economy

4. Five-seat variant is front-wheel drive, seven-seater AWD

5. 585L boot space (drops to 465L in seven-seater)