Nissan reduces X-Trail tow capacity

There's bad news on the horizon for caravanners wanting to upgrade their Nissan X-Trail.

The new model, due for local launch early next month, is rated at a towing capacity of 1500kg (braked). That's unlikely to be enough even to meet the needs of owners towing small vans. Currently, four-wheel drive variants of the X-Trail are rated at up to 2000kg.

The new X-Trail will also be heavier, with the entry-level front-wheel drive variant with manual transmission now weighing 1437kg (tare), versus 1403kg for the current counterpart. At 1543kg, the ST-L four-wheel drive variant with five seats weighs 15kg more than the current model equipped to the same level.

Added equipment is at least partly accountable for the weight gain, as is a change in external dimensions, with the new X-Trail 5mm longer (4640mm), 30mm wider (1820mm) and 10mm higher (1710mm).

The new model is also less off-road capable, sitting 5mm nearer the ground (215mm). And while the new car's departure angle is slightly higher (24.8 degrees now), the approach angle has slipped from 28 degrees to 17.3.

Payload is reduced too: now 508kg for the manual front-drive version in contrast with 597kg.

The 2.0-litre (front-wheel drive only) and 2.5-litre petrol engines show marginal gains in power and torque, supplemented by slightly lower fuel use. Boasting a higher (11.2:1) compression ratio, the 2.0-litre ST variant with six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive now produces 106kW and 200Nm.

Fuel consumption has declined from 8.5 to 8.2L/100km..

Nissan has dropped the continuously variable transmission option for the front-drive models with the 2.0-litre engine, now reserving the CVT for the larger 2.5-litre engine, which also powers the four-wheel drive models.

In fact, CVT is the exclusive transmission available across the range, barring only the entry-level 2.0-litre ST front-driver. This drivetrain combination – 2.5-litre with CVT and front-wheel drive – can be had in four different variants, comprising: five and seat versions of the ST and ST-L grades.

The 2.5-litre four-cylinder also sees a boost in compression ratio (up from 9.6 to 10.0:1), for a 1kW increase in power – from 125 to 126kW. Torque remains as it was at 226Nm.

While the manual transmission ratios are unaltered, the CVT's range of ratios start and finish higher (now 2.631:1 to 0.378:1, versus 2.349:1 to 0.394:1). Combined with a slightly higher final drive ratio of 5.694:1 (previously 5.798:1), the revised CVT should mean the 2.5-litre X-TRAIL will drink less and should be quieter at speed.

Rear suspension remains a multi-link independent set-up, but the current model's MacPherson strut system has been cast aside in favour of a new system to support Active Ride Control. And the steering is now electrically assisted also.

Nissan Australia last month announced a sharper $27,990 (plus on-road costs) starting price for the new X-Trail, which like the latest, more city-friendly Pathfinder has lost some appeal to those wanting to tow a caravan or boat.

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