When it was first launched 25 years ago, the X-TRAIL introduced a brand-new category of motoring and set the benchmark for all that followed, says Nissan.
The name says it all, fusing the concept of extreme sports and the outdoors, and the first generation (T30: 2000 – 2007) deliberately set out to prove that a 4WD vehicle could be comfortable and fun, sporty and practical while shattering the stigma of 4WD vehicles being heavy on fuel.
The T30 X-TRAIL featured a spacious interior suitable for outdoor and sports use, a class-leading cargo area, washable luggage boards and water-repellent seats for easy cleaning. Two years later, a 2003 minor update significantly improved driver comfort with the introduction of a pop-up steering wheel featuring a maximum tilt angle of 45 degrees.
The T30 X-TRAIL debuted Nissan's innovative ALL MODE 4x4 system, intelligently detecting driving and road conditions to distribute optimal torque to the rear wheels for enhanced performance, and it achieved optimal fuel efficiency under normal driving conditions by utilising front-wheel drive and ensured stable performance on slippery roads through electronic control. Drivers could switch seamlessly between AUTO Mode, 2WD and LOCK mode (which provided a fixed torque distribution of 57:43).
The next generation’s, (T31: 2007 – 2013), standout feature was its electronic 4WD system ALL MODE 4x4-i with Yaw Movement Control, which ensured excellent all-weather performance. The system analysed data from steering angle sensors, yaw-rate sensors and G sensors to predict the driver's intended cornering line and automatically adjusted torque distribution to provide smooth cornering even on slippery roads. There were also additional features like Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist.
The third generation X-TRAIL (T32 2013- 2020) introduced Active Ride Control, Active Engine Brake and Cornering Stability Assist and it also adopted the Intelligent Around View Monitor for parking assistance.
T33, the current fourth generation X-TRAIL, brought further enhancements such as the 7-seat option, Head-up Display, and ProPILOT feature, which significantly reduces driver stress when driving on highways in several kinds of traffic conditions. The T33 cemented itself as an adventure vehicle that began with the original T30 and was further burnished last year when it was deployed as the support vehicle for Daring Africa, an 8 000km odyssey from Pretoria in South Africa to Cairo, covering every kilometre as the Nissan NAVARA pick-ups, which were the designated stars of the show.
In 2025, the X-TRAIL underwent a model year change, adding a walk-away lock and approach unlocking functionality and a wireless charger in all grades.
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