Nissan X-Trail review

Introduction

CGI (or Computer Generated Imagery) is an awesome tool. It can make superheroes fly and monsters tower above skyscrapers, and it can be very convincing. Similarly, some SUVs are styled to give you an impression of immense capability but… that’s it. It’s just an impression. With the Nissan X-Trail, it promises zero Hollywood trickery.

Nissan X-Trail video review

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1.5 h e-POWER Acenta Premium SUV 5dr Petrol Hybrid Auto e-4ORCE Euro 6 (s/s) (213 ps)

Expected annual mileage	5000
Term months	60
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Monthly payment	£345.91
Initial payment	£4,150.92

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• Drive it, enjoy it, then give it back at the end

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£4,151 initial payment, 60 month contract, 5000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.

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• Road tax included

It’s available with five or seven seats and a choice of two or four-wheel drive. What’s more, its hybrid system (named e-Power) promises smooth performance and frugal fuel economy. So, the X-Trail looks like a great all-rounder on paper, but how does it fare against its rivals? We’re talking SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento, as well as the Peugeot 5008, Skoda Kodiaq and VW Tayron. Read on to find out…

Overview

The Nissan X-Trail is well equipped, smooth to drive and has a good-quality interior. However, it’s hard to recommend it over other seven-seat options since they are more spacious and versatile for a similar price. The five-seater version makes the most sense, then, but it’s quite a premium to pay over a Qashqai if you just need a bit more space. We’d go for the front-wheel-drive e-Power in entry-level Acenta Premium trim because it offers the best value.

What's new?

• June 2026: The X-Trail receives a subtle range of updates, with small styling tweaks, revised ADAS systems and integrated Google apps for the infotainment system
• November 2022: new X-Trail earns five-star Euro NCAP safety rating
• September 2022: fourth-generation Nissan X-Trail revealed, offering five or seven-seat configurations, and Nissan’s e-Power tech, in which the petrol engine charges the battery, while an electric motor drives the wheels

Pros

• Plenty of standard equipment
• Option of third-row seating
• Competitively priced

Cons

• Smaller boot and third-row seat space than rivals
• Not much fun to drive
• Thirsty at motorway speeds

What's new?

• June 2026: The X-Trail receives a subtle range of updates, with small styling tweaks, revised ADAS systems and integrated Google apps for the infotainment system
• November 2022: new X-Trail earns five-star Euro NCAP safety rating
• September 2022: fourth-generation Nissan X-Trail revealed, offering five or seven-seat configurations, and Nissan’s e-Power tech, in which the petrol engine charges the battery, while an electric motor drives the wheels

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Performance & drive

What it's like to drive, and how quiet it is

How fast is it and which engine is best?

Nowadays, the X-Trail is only available as a hybrid (HEV), but there’s still a choice of front or four-wheel drive – you’ll need the latter to get seven seats.

Every X-Trail feels more than quick enough. There’s a slight pause when setting off from stationary, but once you’re on the move, it’s a bit nippier than the equivalent Hyundai Santa Fe and Peugeot 5008. 

Plus, because the X-Trail’s wheels are always driven via an electric motor (the petrol engine only charges the battery), its power delivery is responsive and smooth. You don’t have to wait for the automatic gearbox to change down a gear when you need a burst of acceleration, for example, unlike its rivals.

Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?

The X-Trail’s suspension is controlled enough so that the ride never feels floaty or sloshy. It feels better tied down than the Peugeot 5008, which will come as good news for people prone to car sickness.

It generally rides comfortably but we’d avoid models with the larger 20in wheels. These deal with bumps quite abruptly and, over bigger ones, the ride can feel quite crashy. By some margin, the X-Trail doesn’t ride as well as the VW Tayron.

As with most big SUVs and seven-seaters, the X-Trail wasn’t designed for driving thrills, but it is competent enough on a twisty road. Despite plenty of body lean, it’s still tidier than the much larger Hyundai Santa Fe, but the light, slow steering makes it a bit more tricky to place on the road.

During spirited driving, it's not hard to find the limits of grip, and it doesn't take much use of the accelerator pedal to make the front end push wide; the Skoda Kodiaq and VW Tayron will cling on harder. As you might expect, going for the four-wheel drive versions helps to increase the amount of traction on offer. 

Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly?

Wind and road noise are reasonably low, but the X-Trail’s advantage is the e-Power system providing smooth and quiet progress via its electric motor(s). You only really hear the engine fire up when you put your foot down or if the battery is desperately low on charge – and even then, it’s far from obtrusive.

As well as getting charge from the engine, the battery can be fed by regenerative braking. Pressing on the brake pedal initially feels light and vague, which makes it a bit tricky to judge your inputs smoothly, but there is an ‘e-pedal’ setting that increases the braking effect to slow the X-Trail more quickly as soon as you ease off the accelerator pedal. It works well, without being too jerky or jarring (unlike some hybrid rivals), although it isn’t able to bring the car to a complete halt.

Interior

The interior layout, fit and finish

What does the interior look like and is it well made?

Like the smaller Nissan Qashqai, the X-Trail’s dashboard makes good use of textured, soft-touch plastics and materials around the dash to help it feel reasonably upmarket. The doors, for example, feel less cheap and plasticky than the Skoda Kodiaq’s, while the switches are well damped. Overall, the X-Trail feels solidly put together and it does a pretty good job of hiding the less desirable and scratchy plastics lower down and mostly out of sight.

Materials further back in the car are more durable than they are plush, but even if you make a concerted effort to find anything sub-par, you’ll be out of luck.

The interior is predominantly lined with dark upholstery, but going for N-Trek trim does add a few red highlights to lift the interior.

Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?

All trim levels for the Nissan X-Trail have a height-adjustable driver’s seat with electrically-adjustable lumbar support, as well as reach and rake adjustment for the steering wheel. Going for top-level Tekna trim adds electronically adjustable front seats with a memory function.

The X-Trail’s high driving position and broad windscreen provide good forward visibility, so you’ll never have trouble seeing out at junctions.

Large rear pillars partially block the view over your shoulder, so rear visibility could be better. Thankfully, even the entry-level X-Trail comes with front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera as standard. Stepping up to N-Connecta trim adds a 360-degree surround-view camera.

To aid visibility when you’re driving at night, bright LED headlights with main-beam assist are standard across the range. Tekna trim comes with Adaptive Driving Beam, which allows you to keep full beam on without dazzling other drivers.

Is the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?

The dashboard is clear and logically laid out, with controls placed within easy reach. The buttons and switches are all large and easy to operate while you’re driving, as well as positive and precise in their actions. While many cars have done away with physical controls for their air-con systems, we like that the X-Trail comes with proper buttons and rotary controllers. They’re far more user-friendly when you're driving than having to search through menus on the infotainment touchscreen, which you have to do in the Peugeot 5008.

Unlike the climate control, which is adjusted using proper switches, the infotainment is controlled through the 12.3in touchscreen. It's easy enough to read and it responds quickly to your prods, but doesn't look quite as sharp as the screen in the VW Tayron, which also offers customisable shortcuts to make it even more user-friendly.

Go for N-Connecta trim and above and it comes with built-in Google maps and Google voice control, which are some of the best apps around. Even so, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring come as standard with every X-Trail, allowing you to use sat-nav apps from your phone through the touchscreen. 

Tekna trim gains a head-up display and an upgraded Bose sound system with 10 speakers.

Passenger & boot space

How it copes with people and clutter

How much space does it have for people?

When you compare the Nissan X-Trail to rivals like the Kia Sorento, you’ll find that it has a fraction less head room to offer in the front. Regardless, this is a big SUV so there’s plenty of room, and even six-footers won’t struggle for space.

Sticking to the X-Trail’s target audience of adventurous families, you’ll find a generous amount of storage space in the front, including two cupholders in the centre console, a large open space under the centre console, decent-sized door pockets and a deep storage area in the centre armrest.

The doors open very wide and the seats are set high, making the X-Trail a good option for those who usually find it hard to get in and out of cars.

The middle section of the X-Trail’s second row bench flips down to form an armrest, complete with two fixed cupholders, and the two outer seats of the rear bench each recline for added comfort. Rear seat access is excellent because the doors open to nearly 90 degrees, making it a doddle to put a child seat in the back.

The good news continues when it comes to the space available, with even six-footers sitting in the two outer seats getting enough head and leg room to make a long journey comfortable. Leg room can be extended by sliding the rear seats back.

The four-wheel drive version of the e-Power is available as a seven-seater rather than the standard five. The two rear-most seats will fit adults but only just and they won’t be comfortable, especially on a long journey. The third-row seats in the Kia Sorento and Peugeot 5008 (both of which have seven seats in all versions) are far more accommodating.

How much room does it have for luggage?

The middle row seats in the X-Trail split 60/40 unless you opt for seven seats, which get the more versatile 40/20/40 split. The seats fold flat so there’s no awkward step in the floor from the boot. All versions of the Peugeot 5008 and Skoda Kodiaq have 40/20/40 split seats.

What’s more, if you want just a little extra boot space, you can slide the middle row bench forward (in exchange for rear leg room). The two rear-most seats on seven-seat versions are easy to lift into place and drop flat into the boot floor.

In five-seat mode, the X-Trail has 575 litres of boot space. For comparison, that’s usefully more than the Nissan Qashqai (up to 504 litres) but the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid has 725 litres. The Kia Sorento – which can swallow 11 carry-on suitcases – has an impressive 813 litres and the Peugeot 5008 has a vast 916-litre boot, but takes one less carry-on case due to some of its space being under the floor.

Even so, the X-Trail will easily swallow eight carry-on cases (or lots of shopping or a couple of buggies), and has no lip at the boot entrance to lift heavy items over.

If you don’t go for the optional third-row seats, you gain storage space under the boot floor. With the sixth and seventh seats in use, the boot is smaller than the Santa Fe's, with space for a few shopping bags (a buggy will be a squeeze).

Buying & owning

Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is

How much does it cost and what equipment do you get?

Acenta Premium is the entry-level X-Trail trim and we think it’s the one to have. It keeps the price reasonable and gets 19in alloy wheels, a wireless phone charger and a six-speaker sound system. N-Connecta trim adds synthetic leather upholstery, a powered tailgate and rear privacy glass, while the off-road-inspired N-Trek adds beefier styling, as well as black, water-resistent seats, three-zone climate control and heated front and rear seats.

It’s worth considering N-Connecta and N-Trek if you have the budget, but we think top-spec Tekna trim is pushing the boat out a little too much on price. 

As a cash purchase, the Nissan X-Trail looks competitively priced against its seven-seater rivals. It costs about the same as the Peugeot 5008 and Skoda Kodiaq, and quite a lot less than the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento.

In terms of depreciation, though, the X-Trail is predicted to lose its value at a similar rate to the Santa Fe, which is slightly slower than the 5008. This could lead to more attractive monthly PCP payments than its French rival.

If you choose a front-driven X-Trail, the official figure states around 49mpg. This drops to about 44mpg with the four-wheel-drive version. The e-Power system will call upon the petrol engine to charge up the battery more frequently at higher speeds, so it’s much more efficient around town than it is on the motorway. A good way to think about it is this: you’ll get roughly 45mpg in smooth town driving and around 38mpg at motorway speeds.

Company car drivers will want to go for the two-wheel drive e-Power because it has the lowest CO2 emissions figures, and therefore the lowest BIK tax payments. That said, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of the Santa Fe and Kodiaq will cost even less and are worth a look. Or you could save even more on BIK tax by getting an electric SUV like the Peugeot e-5008.

Is it reliable, and how long is the warranty?

While Nissan came 29th out of 30 brands in the 2025 What Car? Reliability Survey, that was mainly due to the performance of the Juke; the X-Trail was a much stronger performer, finishing ninth out of 57 family SUVs.

In case something does go wrong, the X-Trail is covered by a three-year/60,000-mile warranty that includes roadside assistance and a courtesy car. You can extend the cover to up to six years, but doing so is quite pricey compared with the extended warranty deals available on some rivals.

It's also worth noting that Nissan's standard offering falls well short of the five-year warranty that the Hyundai Santa Fe comes with, let alone the Kia Sorento's seven years of cover.

How safe is it, and is it easy to steal?

When it was tested by the experts at Euro NCAP, the latest X-Trail scored the full five stars, getting high marks in almost all areas – especially protecting adults in the front and children in the rear.

Every X-Trail comes with lots of safety kit, including automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure prevention and traffic-sign recognition with speed-limit adjustment.

Buy it if…

- You need a bit more space for five than a Qashqai

- You like the idea of driving something like an electric car

- You want a simple, user-friendly interior

Don’t buy it if…

- You want the most spacious seven-seater

- You want a class-leading warranty to bring you peace of mind

- You’re expecting impressive fuel economy figures

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