Nissan X-Trail (2014 – 2021)

Nissan X-Trail (2014 – 2021) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Nissan X-Trail is a medium-sized SUV/crossover and the largest in the Nissan SUV family. It shares many of its components with the smaller Nissan Qashqai. It is available with either five or seven seats. Called the Nissan Rogue in the USA and Canada, Nissan claims that it is the most popular SUV in the world.

This generation of the X-Trail was launched in 2014, with a major update in 2017 and various other improvements over the last few years. It ended production in Autumn 2021, ahead of a new model that is set to arrive in the UK sometime in the first half of 2022.

Towards the end of its prodiction life, the X-Trail struggled to remain competitive with other seven-seat SUVs, which is reflected in an overall Expert Rating of 56% as it went off sale in November 2021. That puts it firmly in the bottom half of its market segment and a long way behind the best in its class.

The Nissan X-Trail was praised for its practicailty and spaciousness as a five-seater model, although the optional extra row of seats is really only suitable for young children. Newer rivals are considered to be more comfortable and better to drive, with improved safety technology and better infotainment systems.

A more significant issue is reliability. In 2021, What Car? rated the X-Trail as the least reliable new car on sale with nearly 40% of owners having problems – many of which were expensive and not covered by warranty.

Key specifications

Body style: Medium SUV/crossoverEngines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £26,835 on-road

Launched: Summer 2014Ended production: Autumn 2021
Replacement due: Spring 2022

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autos, cars, nissan, nissan x-trail, nissan x-trail (2014 – 2021)

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre petrol manual N-VisionScore: 6.8 / 10“In third-generation form, the Nissan X-Trail remains a practical large SUV.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The Nissan X-Trail is essentially a larger version of the Qashqai with the option of seven seats”
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Model reviewed: 2.0-litre diesel automaticScore: 8 / 10“For those who don’t often use their Nissan X-Trail’s full load capacity, the more refined 1.6 diesel is still a fine choice, but the useful extra punch in the new engine will suit those with lots of kids and luggage to carry.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“The Nissan X-Trail is a family SUV that’s available with five or seven seats. Closely related to the Qashqai, it’s comfortable and good value for money. Some rivals are classier and more practical, but the X-Trail is a good all-rounder that tick most boxes.”
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Autocar

Score: 7 / 10“Shortfalls on refinement and driveability, plus a slight lack of character, take the shine off a car that isn’t quite in the Qashqai’s class – nor a top-five competitor in its own right.”
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Car

Model reviewed: 1.7-litre diesel manualScore: 6 / 10“With our thoughts focused on the important things in life – looking after your family and neighbours, that sort of thing – the Nissan X-Trail seems like a winner. It doesn’t make a good job of doubling up as a thrill-tastic driver’s car for more frivolous times, but then what SUV does at this price?”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel automaticScore: 6 / 10“The Land Rover Discovery Sport drives better and the VW Tiguan rival smashes the quality issue, but the big Nissan X-Trail fights back with a pleasing honesty. It’s big, sensible, practical transport for large broods.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“The facelifted Nissan X-Trail is almost all the car you’d ever need if you want a family hauler. It’s extremely spacious, practical, easy to drive and rather well-equipped. It does have its niggling issues, but ultimately there’s nothing majorly wrong with the car.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8.2 / 10“The Nissan X-Trail looks good and drives well, but it can be pricey and could do with a bigger choice of engines”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“The Nissan X-Trail is a big practical family SUV that’s available with seven seats. Its interior is pretty boring, however, and it’s not fun to drive.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.7-litre diesel manual Tekna“A perfectly decent car in isolation but more recent arrivals, most notably the SEAT Tarraco, are a better all-round bet.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 8 / 10“If you want a Nissan Qashqai but you find the interior a bit too small for your growing family, the X-Trail is the car you’re looking for. It’s just as comfortable and easy-to-drive as its smaller sibling, but with much more back row space, a bigger boot and the option of seven seats.”
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Motors.co.uk

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“Compared to the interior of the higher-priced Kia Sorento and Hyundai Santa Fe, however, there is significant shortfall in the Nissan X-Trail, but that shouldn’t be a worry if you wish to have size and practicality first and foremost.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7.6 / 10“A crossover for families when a Qashqai’s not big enough”
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The Sun

“Nissan X-Trail is spacious, secure and more affordable than other SUVs.”
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Model reviewed: Range overview“Following a facelift, the new SUV’s functionality is faultless but it does feels far from premium.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel manual AcentaScore: 6 / 10“Nothing more than a larger, more expensive version of the Nissan Qashqai”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 7 / 10“Despite being Nissan’s most expensive crossover, the X-Trail has always lived in the shadow of the hugely popular Qashqai. The latest updates don’t change that, nor make Nissan’s large SUV a match for the Mazda CX-5 as a five-seater or a Skoda Kodiaq as a seven-seater.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 6 / 10“A good, solid SUV. Lots of space, but competitors have caught and passed in some areas.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: Range overviewScore: 4 / 10“The Nissan X-Trail is okay in isolation, but there are rivals with better handling, comfort, interior space and infotainment systems for similar or less money. The low running costs of the diesel models might still prove tempting, but newer rivals make it feel a bit of a dinosaur.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Range overview“The third-generation Nissan X-Trail boasts a roomy interior and appealing styling, but there’s only one engine choice and it’s underpowered.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: October 2014

86%

ADULT OCCUPANT

83%

CHILD OCCUPANT

75%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

75%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

The Nissan X-Trail has not been lab tested by Green NCAP. This is a new initiative, launched in 2018 as a sister organisation to Euro NCAP.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Nissan X-Trail has received

2019

Sunday Times Motor Awards – Best Dog-Friendly Car

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Keyword: Nissan X-Trail (2014 – 2021)