Item: 2014 Nissan T32 X-Trail
Rating: 3.5

Refined 2.5-litre petrol engine
Accomplished ride/handling balance
Comfortable and supportive front seats
Spacious interior…

… though third row seats (where fitted) are only suitable for small children
Minor turbo lag from 1.6-litre diesel engine
Overly-assisted steering
Road noise
Reports of CVT failure

Review: Nissan T32.I X-Trail (2014-17)

Overview

Released in Australia in March 2014, the Nissan T32 Series I (T32.I) X-Trail was a mid-size SUV. Manufactured in Kyushu, Japan, the T32 X-Trail was initially available with 2.0- and 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engines; while the front-wheel drive models with 2.0-litre petrol engines were solely available with five seats, models with 2.5-litre engines were also available with seven seats and all-wheel drive. In October 2014, the range was expanded with 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engines for the TS and TL variants.

MR20DE, QR25DE and R9M engines

Of the engines,

The 2.0-litre MR20DE four-cylinder petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, direct fuel injection, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder, variable intake and exhaust valve timing, and a compression ratio of 11.2:1;
The 2.5-litre four-cylinder QR25DE engine had similar properties but differed in that it had multi-point fuel injection and a compression ratio of 10.0:1. Models with 2.5-litre petrol engines were also fitted with Active Engine Brake which used the continuously variable ‘Xtronic’ transmission to provide engine braking while cornering or coasting to a stop. According to Nissan, the Active Engine Brake function provided greater braking control and enhanced feel with less pedal effort; and,
Manufactured by Renault at its Cleon plant, the 1.6-litre R9M turbo-diesel engine had common-rail injection, double overhead camshafts (chain-driven), four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 15.4:1. New features for the R9M engine included a variable displacement oil pump, variable swirl technology, a multi-injection system to optimize particulate filter regeneration and low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation. The engine also had an Idle Stop/Start system which enabled it to shut down when the vehicle was stationary in traffic to conserve fuel.

Nissan T32 X-Trail specifications
Engine	Drive	Variant	Seats	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
2.0-litre petrol I4 (MR20DE)	FWD	ST	5	6sp man.	106 kW at 6000 rpm	200 Nm at 4400 rpm
2.5-litre petrol I4 (QR25DE)	FWD	ST, ST-L	5 or 7	CVT	126 kW at 6000 rpm	226 Nm at 4400 rpm
2.5-litre petrol I4 (QR25DE)	AWD	ST, ST-L, Ti	5	CVT	126 kW at 6000 rpm	226 Nm at 4400 rpm
1.6-litre turbo-diesel I4 (R9M)	FWD	TS, TL	5	CVT	96 kW at 4000 rpm	320 Nm at 1750 rpm
1.6-litre turbo-diesel I4 (R9M)	AWD	TS, TL	5	6sp man.	96 kW at 4000 rpm	320 Nm at 1750 rpm

Transmissions

Transmission options initially consisted of six-speed manual and CVT units. All models within the X-Trail range, however, were fitted with Hill Start Assist which would automatically apply the vehicle’s brakes when the vehicle was about to accelerate from rest and the vehicle was on an incline.

Dimensions

Compared to the Nissan T31 X-Trail , the T32 X-Trail was 5 mm longer (at 4640 mm), 30 mm wider (1820 mm), 10 mm taller (1710 mm) and had a 75 mm longer wheelbase (2705 mm). Inside, five-seat models had 40/20/40 split and folding second row seats and ‘Divide-N-Hide’ storage system which consisted of luggage boards that enabled the cargo area to be separated into upper and lower areas. Seven seat models, however, omitted the Divid-N-Hide storage system and had 50/50 split and folding third row seats.

Suspension and steering

The Nissan T32 X-Trail had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, multi-link rear suspension. As standard, the T32 X-Trail was also fitted with an ‘Active Ride Control’ system which monitored the road surface to detect undulations which could upset the pitch of the car body and alters suspension damping to compensate.

The Nissan X-Trail had rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance.

All Mode 4x4i

The T32 X-Trail was available with Nissan’s ‘All Mode 4×4-i’ system which utilised an electronically-controlled coupling and enabled the driver to use a rotary switch on the centre console to select from the following drive modes:

2WD: front-wheel drive only in normal conditions. If a loss of traction was detected, however, all-wheel drive would be engaged for additional traction;
Auto (default): at speeds of up to 80 km/h, Auto mode was predominantly front-wheel drive but had a predictive function – based on throttle position and engine speed – which could anticipate wheel spin and redirect torque accordingly. Beyond 80 km/h, however, the system reacted to wheel-spin by shifting drive rearwards to restore traction as required; and,
Lock: for difficult conditions and at speeds less than 40 km/h, ‘Lock’ provided permanent four-wheel drive with a fixed 50:50 front:rear torque distribution.

Models with the All Mode 4x4i system were also fitted with a ‘Hill Descent Control’ function which used the X-Trail’s ABS system to control the vehicle speed at approximately 7 km/h when traversing steep downhill terrain.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Nissan T32 X-Trail included dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags (i.e. for front and second row occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

The X-Trail Ti and TL variants were further equipped with:

Lane Departure Warning (LDW): operated at speeds above 70 km/h and used the rear camera to detect lane markings and warn the driver if they drifted from their lane without indicating;
Blind Spot Warning (BSW): operated at speeds above 32 km/h and could detect vehicles in the driver’s left and right blind spots. In addition to an audible tone, BSW would give the driver a visual warning via lights that illuminated in the corresponding rear-view mirror housing; and,
Moving Object Detection (MOD): operated at speeds below 8 km/h and used the rear camera to detect any moving objects at the rear of the vehicle when reversing. If a moving object was detected, the driver would be alerted by an on-screen image in the seven-inch display and an audible tone.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the 2014 Nissan X-Trail received a five star safety rating which included an 86 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 83 per child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, protection of the driver’s head, thighs and feet were rated as good, while chest and lower leg protection were rated as adequate. Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test though, in the more severe pole test, chest protection was rated as adequate.

Under ANCAP’s methodology , this testing resulted in a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 35.28 out of 37.

Features: X-Trail ST, TS, ST-L, Ti and TL

Standard features for the X-Trail ST and TS included 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/65 R17 tyres, a six speaker sound system with a CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), NissanConnect with Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, audio streaming and a five-inch LCD colour monitor, air conditioning, cruise control, a rear view camera, daytime LED running lights, automatic headlights, 40/20/40 split and folding second row seats, steering wheel audio controls, remote central locking with proximity key (‘Nissan Intelligent key’), power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment, push button start, three 12 volt power outlets, a cargo blind, trip computer and an immobiliser.

Beyond this, the X-Trail ST-L added satellite navigation with a seven-inch LCD colour monitor, digital radio (DAB), dual-zone climate control air conditioning, leather seat trim, power adjustable and heated front seats, an Around View Monitor, front fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, heated door mirrors, roof rails and privacy glass.

The range-topping X-Trail Ti and TL were distinguished by their 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/60 R18 tyres, LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, power tilt and slide sunroof, and an electrochromatic rear view mirror. For Ti variants, the driver could also open the tailgate via the key fob or by moving their foot in the area under the X-Trail’s rear bumper to activate the motion-sensors.

2016 Nissan X-Trail N-Sport Special Edition Black and Special Edition Silver

The Nissan X-Trail N-Sport Special Edition Black and Special Edition Silver were released in July 2016. Based on either the X-Trail ST or ST-L variants, the X-Trail N-Sport Special Edition Black was distinguished by its gun metallic finishes for the 17-inch alloy wheels, front grille, front bumper finisher, fog lamp finisher (ST-L based models only), side skirts and rear bumper finisher.

The X-Trail N-Sport Special Edition Silver, however, was differentiated by its unique 17-inch alloy wheels, silver front bumper finisher, silver fog lamp finisher (ST-L based models only), silver side skirts and silver rear bumper finisher.

Brochure

Brochure: Nissan T32 X-Trail (February 2014)

Specifications

Review: Nissan T32.II X-Trail (2017-on)