For some of us mid-life means a time of crisis but for Nissan X-Trail mid-life means more goods, some price reductions and even more value for money for one of the leaders in the compact SUV segment.
Styling
A new grille, new headlamp design that feature brighter, clearer Xenon lights on the Ti petrol and TL diesel models and a new tail light cluster on all models are the most obvious changes to the 2010 Nissan X-Trail. A new bumper and new wheel/tyre specifications means that the X-Trail is 10mm wider and 10mm longer.
Interior
The Ti and TL models now come with keyless engine start/stop, automatic lights, rain sensing wipers, a factory fitted rear cargo blind and wider tyres.
All models gain a telescopic adjustment for the steering column and a Bluetooth Hands free phone system upgrade, with steering wheel mounted phone controls (now on ST models).
A heated and cooled glove box is now standard across the entire range while the ST X-Trail gains a six-stacker CD changer. ST-L (petrol) and TS (diesel) also get a rear cargo cover and new wider double five-spoke design 17-inch alloy wheels.
There is a new and easier-to-read instrument cluster on the dashboard, featuring larger dials for the Nissan Vehicle Information Display drive computer (as seen on DUALIS), providing readouts of current fuel consumption, distance to empty, distance to oil change and warning messages, when required.
Upgraded seat trims, with new patterns and thicker materials are joined by additional silver highlights inside. Redesigned front seat backs give an additional 10mm of knee room for rear seat passengers
Engine
Fuel consumption has been reduced across the range.
The 125 kW / 226 Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine now consumes 9.1L/100km in both manual and CVT variants (9.3/9.5 L/100km previously) and is Euro IV compliant.
The 127 kW / 360 Nm (110 kW / 320 Nm in auto) 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine now returns 7.2 L/100km in manual and 7.4 l/100km when fitted with the 6-speed automatic transmission. (7.5/8.1 l/100km previously).
For the six-speed automatic transmission fitted to the diesel TS and TL variants, a technology upgrade allows a reduction in fuel use at idle. This is achieved by the transmission, when stationary in drive mode, shifting into a near neutral setting, reducing engine load. A side-effect of this is a reduction in idle vibration.
More fuel savings have been achieved because the high efficiency drive train reduces transmission oil friction by optimizing flow through the gearbox.
Models equipped with either the updated automatic gearbox or Continuously Variable Transmission also gain a recalibrated Advanced Hill Descent Control system. This allows the driver to control the speed of descent, either by applying the brake or the throttle during descent, within a speed range of 4km/h to 15km/h.
Improved aerodynamics (including underbody cladding) cuts the drag coefficient to 0.35 and, combined with weight-saving casting technology making the 18-inch alloy wheels lighter, help reduce fuel consumption and emissions still more.
The new 2010 Nissan X-Trail will hit the showrooms this month and Manufacturer’s List Pricing for ST, Ti and TS models in the range have been reduced by between $500 and $1750 while pricing for the TL models remains unchanged.