2011 Nissan X-Trail 2WD launched in Australia

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By Tim Beissmann | December 23rd, 2010

Nissan Australia has released the 2011 Nissan X-Trail 2WD in an attempt to appeal to a new customer base in the compact SUV market.

With an introductory starting price of $27,990 driveaway for the entry-level ST manual 2WD, the new model is the least expensive X-Trail ever offered in Australia.

Also available in two-wheel drive specification is the ST with continuously variable transmission (CVT) and the higher-spec ST-L CVT.

The 2WD models share their 102kW/198Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with the Nissan Dualis. Combined cycle fuel consumption is 8.5 litres/100km when teamed with the manual gearbox and 8.4 litres/100km with the CVT.

The ST 2WD comes with 17in alloy wheels; front, side and roof curtain airbags; electronic stability program; Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity; MP3 player input; 6 CD changer; steering wheel-mounted audio, Bluetooth and cruise control; heated and cooled glove box and cup holders; and removable and washable luggage boards.

The ST-L 2WD adds leather seat trim, electric and heated front seats, climate control, front fog lights, privacy glass and a rear cargo blind.

The four-wheel drive models have also been updated for 2011.

From January, all new models will feature chrome ‘4WD’ badging on the tailgate. They will continue with the more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and 2.5-litre petrol engine options, and maintain their 2000kg braked towing capacity, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control functions.

The price of ST 4WD models has increased by $500, but they are now equipped with 17in alloys, chrome door handles, and a leather trimmed steering wheel and park brake lever.

Nissan Australia CEO, Dan Thompson, said he expected the updated X-Trail to make a “significant impact” on the compact SUV segment, with the entry-level X-Trail 2WD to be popular among couples and families.

“We are sending a strong message to the market that we are serious about improving our market share and sales position still further in 2011,” Mr Thompson said.

The X-Trail is currently the fourth-highest selling vehicle in the compact SUV segment, behind the Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-7. Its share of the market over the first 11 months of 2010 is 8.5 percent, although that increased to 8.9 percent in November, well clear of the CX-7.

The 2011 Nissan X-Trail range is available from January 1, 2011, for the following recommended retail prices:

X-Trail ST

Manual 2WD – $28,490
CVT 2WD – $30,990
Manual 4WD – $32,490
CVT 4WD – $34,990

X-Trail ST-L

CVT 2WD – $34,990
CVT 4WD – $38,490

X-Trail TS

Manual 4WD – $35,990
Automatic 4WD – $38,240

X-Trail Ti

CVT 4WD – $44,490

X-Trail TL

Manual 4WD – $42,490
Automatic 4WD – $45,240

Hung Low

Why downsize the engine? This is a pretty big car and the 2.5 is just sufficient!
m2m

Just buy a far better looking Dualis!
Ox

Makes sense as most of these never go off road
genki

recently bought a Dualis. So this being 2k more at that special price is rather interesting…For that 2k you get 17 inch rather than 16 inch wheels – other stats are the same, am assuming the manual is the 6-speed from the Dualis? It is a heavier car though surely – being a bit larger and all? Would be a bit too much with the 2.0L engine I think, because even the Dualis could do with a bit more poke. I also agree with the above comment that the Dualis is better looking (subjective) but the X-trail looks particularly ungainly in those pics.

Duckula

I agree Genki, the Xtrail just looks like they have added bits and pieces over the years, rather than re design it, its just add ons, that look tacky.
I have a Dualis at work ( not by choice – its a fleet vehicle) and its a great little car – by no means perfect at all, but it looks/drives really well.

Thomas

What about the Renault Koleos, it is $500 cheaper for the Expression. Has same features except 6 stacker CD.(however has bluetooth streaming). Koleos has the 2.5L Donk with 6 speed Manual. Also comes in CVT. Saw one the other day in CVT for $29,985 drive away.

Duckula

Yeah thomas there is a dealer here in Syd that always has big discounts on the Koleos ( I wont name them, cos it will look like I work for them ) I keep seeing the ad in the paper on a saturday, but I never see any other advertising/promotion from the frogs… which seems like a shame if its as good as u say… anyone driven one?

Labrys

I plan on checking out the Koleos in the new year when I start car shopping.
Will let people know what I think when I do.
It looks like a good bit of kit.
Only issue for me is they don’t currently offer the diesel in their highest spec.

Have to agree with what everyone is saying here about the X-trail though. It just seems too big for that engine.
Everyone says the Dualis would be a lot better with a bigger engine so I hate to think what that X-trail is going to be like.
Duckula

Yeah Labrys, I mean I drive the Dualis around the city/burbs for work and sometimes on an extended trip, and she does the job just fine, but I’m generally the only person in it, or maybe with one other. But yeah, If you piled it full of kids and luggage etc, she would need a decent winding up on the open road… cos even by myself for a quick overtake it does tend to get a bit breathless…not dangerously slow mind you… just a little bit tired.
Labrys

Thanks for the info on the Dualis Duckula.
It’s also on my list of cars too look at (I have a big list).
And although it is just me and my partner atm we are thinking about the future and a family.
So the Dualis will likely be loaded up a bit in the future.
It’s annoying though because the Qashqai comes with diesel engines in Europe. And they come with autos too.
You get one of those down here and see how the Dualis starts selling.
Simonsez

I’ve had a Koleos 2wd petrol since May which cost $29,550 drive away.It seemed pretty good value to me at the time and hasn’t given a moment’s trouble.Beats me why they maintain the CVT is more fuel efficient as the damn things routinely rev their heads off and won’t change gear at less than 3500 rpm for some reason.All I wanted was a decent sized vehicle to run around town with the occasional trip on a dirt road once a year; so 4wd would have been an unnecessary added expense.
The 2 litre would certainly not be up to the job in the X Trail , regardless of whether or not it was taken off road.Other than costing a little less to make (I assume) it’s really hard to make a case for downsizing the engine just to meet a price point.The 2.5 petrol is really pretty good around town with the 6 speed manual (9.2 per 100 ) , so long as you drive sensibly, so it’s hard to think that the 2 litre would even be more fuel efficient.
No doubt people will buy them though so it really doesn’t matter what I think.
Duckula

yeah its crying out for a decent Turbo diesel, which is a shame, cos its a nice place to be ( not for any technical reason or Brand loyalty) we have had many small SUV’s at the office for evaluation and I can honestly say that I just like being in the Dualis… dunno why… just like it. We only have an ST auto – with no options. Unfortunately stupid rules dont allow me to get a Koleos in the fleet.

Trump

Shouldn’t you be referring to it as FWD or RWD caradvice not 2WD?

Most Yank SUV’s are RWD but I’m assuming the East-West config leads to FWD, but nowhere do you answer this!

Using “2WD” is just sloppy journalism.

Andrew M

I was wandering the same, is it FWD or RWD.

It makes a very big difference because the purchaser in the category may be offended at the prospect of FWD

http://www.caradvice.com.au Tim Beissmann

FWD guys. Sorry about the missing info.

Tim Beissmann

Mrs Trump

Get your butt back in the kitchen and wash the dishes. I don’t slave over a hot stove to have you laze around on car sights criticising them about poor journalism.
Sumpguard

Why did they take so long? Part of the reason the Tuscon sold so well was the availability of a 2wd city model. Less thirsty and cheaper.
bangel

I dont see the point , they build a pretty good reputation with a 4WD and do this , dualis does the job , marketing madness , just because toyota does rav2 .

MF

blah EVERYONE is doing 2WD compact SUV!

http://www.ticell.com jhoni

Car that has a great chassis but the price is including expensive .
fishman

I wonder what the weight is with the smaller engine and without the 4wd mechanicals…it might be that the performance won’t be as bad as people think?

I’ve got a 4wd Dualis and with the 6 speed manual I find it a refined and enjoyable drive – its no ball of fire, but does the job just fine.

Agree that I’d take a Dualis over this every time though on looks alone…
fishman

Sportage & ix35 also come with a 2.0ltr petrol in 2wd guise…haven’t heard much noise from the korean fan-boys pointing out issues with that combo…

MF

if there is any they prob wont tell you anyway?

DawsonSanta

Light clutch?
BottomGear

To those who obviously know jack, the 2L will have HEAPS of grunt for around city operation.

It’s not designed to be a racecar just a SUV for running about, a modern day wagon if you will…

NEXT!
Shak

This is one of those cars that puzzles me. It has everything that a buyer should want. Given looks are subjective, it may be slightly getting on in that department, but why arent Nissan absolutely smashing this segment. They should be doing the same in the Dualis and maxima segments.

Genki

Yeah the 2L will be fine around town, as it is in my Dualis – and the 6 speed manual if its the same as in the dualis is a delight – however I drive alone mostly, I presume this would be aimed more at families with more people and cargo on board?? Love my Dualis was just curious as this model was not out when i bought it….
As for Dualis sales, I havent seen the November figures but I have seen and been told that since the 2010 update they have been selling quite well – they will never sell at the levels of the 3, corolla etc cos they are that little bit dearer (that means a lot at the lower end of the market) and are a crossover sort of car – I initially hadn’t even factored in test driving one let alone buying one – i went to look at a Tiida as a cheap option, but after a drive in the Dualis was hooked. As for the maxima, wellll – again its a hard market. At that price point your looking at people who are rusted to ford and holden – or want something with a euro badge. Agree it is a great car, but totally anonymous.

Bold

It is the MR20DE engine sold in Asian xtrail variations. Well, I say it is still too small for xtrail. My cx7 2.5 is not that bad, but clearly it is underpowered.
LN

Nissan once again has gone one step forward but 2 steps back with the x-trail.

2.0L @ 102kw for the X-Trail? Which smart engineer at Nissan has thought of this great idea?

RickyC

My CR-V 10 years ago had a 2.0L engine with 108 kW.
Xtrailconvert

The weight has dropped considerably from the 4WD, so the 2.0 litre is no issue. I have no problems with mine, keeps up with all the city traffic.

RickyC

lol, there are now 11 X-trail variants. When it first came out in 2001 there were only 4. At least they dropped the Ti manual.
Daniel

Hi there,

For all of the people who are talking about the big weight difference between an X-Trail and a Dualis, have a look at the stats, there is just over 30kg difference between both ST 2WD models, hardly the earth shattering difference some are suggesting.

My wife and I drove both variants, and for the price, features and storage space, we decided on the X-Trail. Yes, it won’t be a rocket, but I’ve got a highly modified N15 SSS Pulsar that looks after those needs nicely.
http://2011NissanX-trail2 Pete

Hi
Does the Xtrail 2 Litre auto MY10 have a timing chain or a timing belt?
Thanks
Pete
http://2011NissanX-trail2 Pete

Hi
Does the Nissan X- Trail 2 litre diesel MY10 auto have a timing chain or a timing belt?
Thanks Pete
leigh

hi Pete, i just test drived the St 2.0L xtrail. Im a qualified mechanic for over ten year. there is absoloutly nothing wrong with the 2.0L engine coupled to the 6 speed manual the gearing completments the engine. The CVT on the other hand is ridiculous and would suspect wouldn sell too many. As for the engine the 2.0L has a timing chain not a timing belt. The diesel i would guess also has chain.
Im buying one for my wife to buzz around town in. people need to remember the xtrail is a compact SUV not a commodore or falcon. It is what it is if you dont like them then dont buy them. So stop bad mouthing things you have no idea about.

Xtrailconvert

I have had mine for 3 weeks and went from a VE Commodore to the Xtrail. It is more comfortable, can fit more in the boot, is easy to clean out after the family pouch has been in the back and averages 8.5l/100km vs 12l/100km for the Commodore. The 2.0 litre engine is no issue given it only weights 100kg over cars like the Corolla or Mazda3. Cheap and convenient family motoring. Yes its not a speed demon, but if you want that buy an SS or similar.
sal

Hi leigh. Just wondering what you meant by “The CVT on the other hand is ridiculous and would suspect wouldnt sell too many”. Damn !! Have been looking at one, a demo model to possible purchase. Is the CVT no good ? or is it because it is only a 2.0L ? I am told the timing chain is better than a timing belt. What are your thoughts being a mechanic ?
Thanks heaps leigh