We voted the 2023 Nissan X-Trail as Drive Car of the Year Best Medium SUV for 2023. What’s the flagship model like to drive?
2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti-L
The Nissan X-Trail has been on sale in Australia for around 20 years.
The original one was launched back when crossover-style SUVs were still a new thing, meaning it was a little rugged, pragmatic and simple. As the years went on, the product was updated and remained somewhat faithful to that recipe; however, this all-new and fourth-generation 2023 Nissan X-Trail has morphed into something quite different.
Launching in Australia at the end of 2022, it’s taken a more road-focussed skew, which it’s all the better for. Over the years the X-Trail has also gotten bigger, more comfortable, and dare I say more luxurious too – especially in our test car’s top-spec Ti-L specification.
Let’s discover what’s new, as now we’ve had the chance to cover some decent kilometres in it.
How much does the Nissan X-Trail Ti-L cost in Australia?
The new 2023 Nissan X-Trail range starts from $36,750 before on-roads for an entry-level and two-wheel-drive X-Trail ST model.
A four-wheel X-Trail ST costs $39,790, or $3040 more. Standard gear on both models includes blind-spot monitoring and automatic braking both forward and backward.
Next up in the range are the pair of 2023 Nissan X-Trail ST-L models – offered in either two- or all-wheel drive – for $43,190 or $46,290 before on-roads respectively. Moving up to X-Trail ST-L trim scores you a 360-degree parking camera, 18-inch wheels and leather trim.
Lastly, you’ll find two all-wheel-drive-only models at the top of the regular internal combustion range: the 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti, and then our test car, the 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti-L. Both grades are available only with five seats, unlike the ST and ST-L which pair all-wheel drive with a seven-seat layout.
The 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti starts from $49,990, whereas our X-Trail Ti-L test car costs $52,990, both before on-road costs. As a flagship model our tester is loaded with kit like quilted nappa leather seats, a 10-speaker Bose audio system, and an electric tailgate with hands-free operation.
The only optional extras are metallic paints –$700 for single-tone and $1200 for two-tone with a black roof – meaning a 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti-L costs around $58,000 drive-away depending on its colour and the state it’s registered in.
If you want a hybrid version, Nissan does have a solution. Both of its X-Trail Ti and Ti-L models can be had with Nissan’s e-Power hybrid and all-wheel-drive running gear.
The cost of a 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti-L e-Power – the hybrid version of our test car – is around $62,000 drive-away, making it around $4000 more than the regular petrol-powered version.
| Key details | 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti-L |
| Price | $52,990 plus on-road costs |
| Colour of test car | Ivory Pearl / black roof |
| Options | Two-tone paint – $1200 |
| Price as tested | $54,190 plus on-road costs |
| Drive-away price | $58,503 (NSW) |
| Rivals | Toyota RAV4 | Mazda CX-5 | Honda CR-V |
How much space does the Nissan X-Trail Ti-L have inside?
The first-row seats are fantastic in this top-spec X-Trail Ti-L model, and not just because they’re comfortable and supportive. The supple and cross-stitched nappa leather trim looks high-end and expensive, and the excellent lumbar adjustment makes them posture-perfect too.
They’re great to soak up miles in. The rest of the cabin presentation feels quality, too, with a pair of nice and high-resolution screens, tactile air-conditioning buttons, and plenty of storage for your phone and beverages.
I also don’t mind the timber-look trim on the dashboard either. Underneath its minimal presentation are some smart touches as well, with front cupholders large enough to carry bottles, and a large armrest storage area that young parents will love.
So, practical, easy to use and a little bit fancy. Over in the back, space is fantastic for adults and kids alike. I’m around six-feet tall and had heaps of room when sitting behind my own driving position. My legs had plenty of space, and my feet were able to kick out underneath the seat in front. Again, like the first row, there are considered touches everywhere.
The high seat base means it’s easy on your hips to get in and out of, and also that you sit up in the back row. Guests get a good view out of the front window, and it feels airy as a result. Another are rear doors that open wide enough to almost form a right angle, making access into the back brilliant for kids or cargo.
Our X-Trail Ti-L model also features pull-up blinds in the back doors, heated rear outboard seats, and rear air vents too with seperate temperature controls for the rear. Behind all the action lies a decent boot with 585L of space and a smart adjustable boot floor.
It means closing things away like gym clothes or runners is an easy task and helps keep them truly locked away, if you know what I mean, alternatively two-piece the boot floor can be used to create dividers to help keep items in place. Overall there’s heaps of room for prams and kids’ bikes as a five-seater, but if you fold the second row, you then benefit from 1424L worth of space (estimated, based on overseas specifications. Nissan Australia does not provide this figure).
Heaps of room for adults’ bikes then. Under the cool two-level boot floor lies a space-saving spare wheel.
| 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti-L | |
| Seats | Five |
| Boot volume | 585L seats up 1424L seats folded (estimated) |
| Length | 4680mm |
| Width | 1840mm |
| Height | 1725mm |
| Wheelbase | 2705mm |
Does the Nissan X-Trail Ti-L have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
The 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti-L features a fantastic 12.3-inch infotainment system with wireless/wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity.
Not only is the screen large with decent resolution, but it is also backed by decent hardware. It boots up fast, tabs between menus quick enough, and features a simple and light software interface.
The wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity worked well, but we always recommend wiring for reliability, audio quality and charging purposes. Our top-of-the-range Nissan X-Trail Ti-L test car has more party tricks too: it’s the only model in the range with a 10-speaker Bose premium stereo.
Having listened to the no-brand stereo in other X-Trail models recently, I’d say the Bose system is just another reason to buy the flagship. It offers far more clarity, but also helps stage the music in a more natural way.
The highs appear on the dash and the lows down in the footwell. Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Weekend Run sounded bright, warm and fuzzy, whereas Tame Impala’s Currents sounded big and atmospheric while retaining detail in percussion- and synth-heavy sections.
The Bose stereo is a worthwhile get.
The X-Trail Ti-L (along with the Ti) also feature a crisp 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which doesn;t have a wide scope of layout formats, but can be toggled to show a variety of driver assist, consumption, or media system features. A bright, clear 10.8-inch head-up display is also standard on the top two grades.
Is the Nissan X-Trail Ti-L a safe car?
Australian crash-test authority ANCAP scored the 2023 Nissan X-Trail range five stars out of five.
It excelled in terms of driver assist systems – scoring an epic 97 per cent – and performed well in crash testing, with occupant protection and child occupant protection earning scores of 91 and 90 per cent respectively.
It didn’t do too well in terms of vulnerable road user (pedestrian) protection, however, scoring only 74 per cent.
| 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti-L | |
| ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2022) |
| Safety report | Link to ANCAP report |
What safety technology does the Nissan X-Trail Ti-L have?
Given its excellent ANCAP safety score for driver assist systems, the 2023 Nissan X-Trail is loaded with safety kit.
On top of forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, there’s also reverse automatic braking with the same capability. The system is also smart enough to detect road junctions and can intervene in emergency situations if you steer off course.
You also get the usual additions of active lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive cruise control. Nissan link adaptive cruise and lane centring functions in what it calls ProPilot, offering a layer of semi-autonomous assistance to help keep you on track should your attention wander.
It’s as safe as houses.
How much does the Nissan X-Trail Ti-L cost to maintain?
Nissan expects that you have your X-Trail serviced every 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.
The distance interval is short when compared to others that travel 15,000km between services. The first three years of maintenance costs $383, $469 and $532 respectively, or $1384. That makes it about average.
Years four and five cost $587 and $409, bringing the five-year or 50,000km grand total to $2380. Again, that’s about average.
Insurance costs came out to $1319 per annum, a little expensive, but still in the realms of acceptability considering its value. Insurance estimates are based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver, living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
| At a glance | 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti-L |
| Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 10,000km |
| Servicing costs | $1384 (3 years) $2380 (5 years) |
Is the Nissan X-Trail Ti-L fuel-efficient?
Nissan claims the 2023 Nissan X-Trail 4WD will use 7.8L/100km on a combined driving cycle.
On test, fuel usage initially hung around the early eights, but finalised after some highway and country driving at 8.8L/100km.
One litre over isn’t bad, but 7.8L/100km is still on the higher side generally – especially when compared to some of the available hybrid competitors for similar money.
Fuel Consumption – brought to you by bp
| Fuel Usage | Fuel Stats |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 7.8L/100km |
| Fuel cons. (on test) | 8.8L/100km |
| Fuel type | 91-octane unleaded |
| Fuel tank size | 55L |
What is the Nissan X-Trail Ti-L like to drive?
It’s amazing how far the continuously variable transmission (CVT) has come.
The first iterations of this particular transmission – predominantly found in Japanese vehicles – felt elastic to use, sapped heaps of power, and also sapped the life out of a car.
There’s a CVT in the 2023 Nissan X-Trail; however, you’d probably only know if you read the spec sheet. It feels responsive, sounds quiet, and amazingly just like a regular automatic transmission.
Nissan’s CVT will mimic the odd gear change with some artificial stepping, but more importantly it doesn’t make the engine rev hard and sound buzzy when accelerating. It’s not laggy or stretchy-feeling like those old CVTs, so if you have reservations based on time with an older one – try to go in open-minded as things have changed.
The whole petrol-powered 2023 Nissan X-Trail range features the same engine and transmission, too, which includes a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. Although modest in power outputs, the engine feels just right for the package. Around town it’s powerful enough with a few kids and some luggage on board, and on the motorway it remains quiet and relatively frugal.
The noise, vibration and harshness levels felt in the cabin have never been better (or lower), which certainly adds a sense of prestige to the humble X-Trail. The one criticism with the powertrain is that it can get thirsty when around town, and that if you’re the type of driver who zooms around a bit or often conducts overtakes on the freeway, you will see fuel usage creep up.
Another thing that gestures toward a premium experience is the way the car rides. At lower speeds it’s genuinely plush and comfortable, and coupled with that new-found level of cabin quietness feels a bit luxurious. Bumps and general road imperfections are no issue, and its overly light steering helps the car feel more nimble than it actually is.
Out of town and in regional Australia, the softness doesn’t get in the way of a pleasant higher-speed ride. On country lanes with greater than 80km/h speed limits, it remains wonderfully quiet and a pleasure to drive.
It feels refreshing, as I’ve driven higher-end cars on these same roads that were noisier and felt harsher. Higher-speed road bumps don’t cause any alarm, and the only real thing it could use more of in this environment is power. With two kids and some luggage on board, conducting higher-speed overtakes using the other side of the road requires more anticipation than usual.
We also saw the fuel usage creep up when driving in this hilly and high-speed environment, which is another slight downside of the powertrain’s slightly meagre outputs.
| Key details | 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti-L |
| Engine | 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol |
| Power | 135kW @ 6000rpm |
| Torque | 244Nm @ 3600rpm |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Continuously variable transmission (CVT) |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 81kW/t |
| Weight (kerb) | 1672kg |
| Spare tyre type | Space-saver |
| Tow rating | 2000kg braked 750kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 11.1m |
Should I buy a Nissan X-Trail Ti-L?
The 2023 Nissan X-Trail range is the Drive Car of the Year Best Medium SUV for 2023, which puts it at the top of its class compared to new peers in the segment.
In particular, the X-Trail Ti-L model is worth the stretch if you can make it. The nappa leather seat trim unquestionably lifts the interior’s quality, and the seat’s two-position memory is another spec-exclusive feature that car-sharing couples can’t go without.
Hands-free operation for the electric tailgate is another one you can quickly get used to and not want to go without after, especially if you’re a young family. Space is a wonderful strong point, too, as the new X-Trail is simply packaged better than the rest and feels roomier as a result.
The biggest question you may have, however, is whether you forgo some luxury to step up to a lesser-spec 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti e-Power hybrid for similar money. I recommend you head to your Nissan dealer and drive both – because the hybrid is also quite compelling and still well equipped.
Either way, make sure you test-drive the 2023 Nissan X-Trail if you’re hunting for a new medium SUV.
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