Nissan X-Trail

Nissan X-Trail: which version to buy and why

If the question is which Nissan X-Trail to buy, the data pick a short list, not a brochure. For a new or late car, 4 generation (from 2022-07-01, stop not measured) 1.5 AT e-4orce Hybrid 213 hp AWD is the fastest measured car in the catalogue: 7.2 s to 100 km/h, 525 Nm, mixed 6.6 l/100 km. It is also the heaviest (1965 kg kerb, 2535 kg gross) and sits lowest of the fourth-generation set (185 mm).

If the question is which Nissan X-Trail to buy, the data pick a short list, not a brochure. For a new or late car, 4 generation (from 2022-07-01, stop not measured) 1.5 AT e-4orce Hybrid 213 hp AWD is the fastest measured car in the catalogue: 7.2 s to 100 km/h, 525 Nm, mixed 6.6 l/100 km. It is also the heaviest (1965 kg kerb, 2535 kg gross) and sits lowest of the fourth-generation set (185 mm). If you want that generation’s speed without AWD, 1.5 AT e-Power Hybrid 204 hp FWD is 8.0 s and 6.0 l/100 km mixed — the lowest mixed figure on the fourth generation. If you want a conventional Variable gearbox and measured 0–100, 1.5 VC-T CVT Gasoline 204 hp AWD is 8.4 s and 7.3 l/100 km mixed; the FWD 204 hp twin is 8.7 s and 6.6 l/100 km. The cheaper-feeling 163 hp 1.5 VC-T CVT FWD (same name, 163 hp, not 204) is 9.6 s and 7.6 l/100 km mixed — 0.9 s slower than the 204 hp FWD and 1.0 l/100 km thirstier on the mixed figure. Used buyers should treat 3 generation, restyling (2017-06-01–2022-06-30) 1.6 MT Gasoline 163 hp FWD as the petrol pick (9.7 s, 6.2 l/100 km mixed, 1430 kg) and 2.0 MT Diesel 177 hp AWD as the diesel pick (9.4 s, 5.6 l/100 km, 204 km/h). Do not buy 1 generation 2.2 MT Diesel 114 hp if speed is the filter: 13.7 s and 165 km/h are the slowest measured pair in the whole model.

The catalogue lists 7 generations and 66 named versions in the data (counts of 16, 13 and 14 on three generations are claimed in the source; 12, 12 and 12 versions are listed — the extra names are not in this file). Body type on every listed generation is SUV 5-doors. Fuel types in the data are Gasoline, Diesel and Hybrid. Gearboxes are Manual, Variable and Automatic. Drive is FWD or AWD. Cylinder counts are 4 Inline on generations 1–3 and 3 Inline on 4 generation and 4 generation, restyling. Boost is No or Turbo.

Generations compared: what actually changed

1 generation (2000-10-01–2007-07-31) is the only generation with a 280 hp Gasoline engine: 2.0 AT Turbo 280 hp AWD, 1998 cm³, 315 Nm at 3200 rpm, 4 Automatic, 1460 kg. 0–100, top speed, consumption and CO2 on that version are not measured. Everyday first-generation cars are the 2.0 MT / 2.0 AT 140 hp and 150 hp set and the 2.5 MT / 2.5 AT 165–170 hp set. Ground clearance is 200 mm on most listed versions and 180 mm on 2.0 AT 150 hp FWD and 2.0 AT 150 hp AWD. Tank 60 l. Wheel sizes not measured.

2 generation (2007-08-01–2010-07-31) and 2 generation, restyling (2010-07-01–2013-09-30) raise the tank to 65 l. Diesel 2.0 MT 150 hp AWD is 11.2 s on both the original and the restyle; the restyle 2.0 AT 150 hp AWD is 12.5 s — 1.3 s slower than the Manual at the same 150 hp and 320 Nm. The 173 hp Diesel 2.0 MT AWD is 10.0 s on both the original (200 km/h) and the restyle (197 km/h, 200 mm clearance vs 200 mm original). Gasoline 2.5 MT 169 hp AWD is 9.8 s / 194 km/h (original) and 9.8 s / 184 km/h (restyle) — same 0–100, 10 km/h less top speed after restyling. Clearance is 200 mm or 210 mm depending on version.

3 generation (2013-09-01–2017-06-30) and 3 generation, restyling (2017-06-01–2022-06-30) cut the tank back to 60 l and lock clearance at 210 mm on the combustion versions (hybrids sit at 195 mm then 200 mm). The 144 hp 2.0 CVT FWD and AWD figures are identical across the facelift: FWD 11.7 s / 183 km/h / 7.1 l/100 km mixed; AWD 12.1 s / 180 km/h / 7.5 l/100 km. 2.5 CVT 171 hp AWD is 10.5 s / 190 km/h / 8.3 l/100 km mixed on both, with city 11.3 before restyle and 11.0 after (0.3 l/100 km). Euro label moves from Euro 5 on most pre-facelift cars to Euro 6 on the restyle (the 1.6 MT Gasoline 163 hp is already Euro 6 before restyle).

4 generation (from 2022-07-01, stop not measured) is a different arithmetic object: 3 Inline Turbo, 55 l tank, wheels 235/60 R18, 235/55 R19, 255/45 R20. The 2.5 CVT 184 hp FWD and AWD exist here, but 0–100, top speed, city, highway, mixed and CO2 are not measured on both — you cannot rank them on performance from this file. 4 generation, restyling (from 2025-08-01, stop not measured) lists one version: 1.5 VC-T CVT 163 hp FWD, numbers equal to the 163 hp 1.5 VC-T CVT on 4 generation.

Engine specs: every listed version

Use the names exactly as in the data. Same badge, different power, is a different car.

2 generation / restyling repeats 2.0 MT Diesel at 150 hp and 173 hp, 2.0 AT Diesel 150 hp, Gasoline 2.0 MT 137 / 140 / 141 hp, 2.0 CVT 137 / 141 hp, 2.5 MT 169 hp, 2.5 CVT 169 / 170 hp. 1 generation adds 2.0 AT 280 hp Turbo, 2.2 MT Diesel 114 hp and 136 hp, and 2.5 AT 165 hp AWD vs 170 hp FWD.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 1.5 AT e-4orce 213 hp / 1.461 l = 145.8 hp/l — highest among measured fourth-generation engines. 1.5 VC-T CVT 204 hp / 1.497 l = 136.3 hp/l. First-generation 2.0 AT 280 hp / 1.998 l = 140.1 hp/l. Third-generation 1.6 MT Gasoline 163 hp / 1.618 l = 100.7 hp/l. 2.5 CVT 171 hp / 2.488 l = 68.7 hp/l — the large naturally aspirated four is the least dense petrol in the later years. 2.0 CVT 144 hp / 1.997 l = 72.1 hp/l.

Injection: Direct injection (direct) on the 144 hp 2.0 petrol, the 163 hp 1.6 MT petrol and the fourth-generation 1.5 engines; Distributed injection (multi-point) on 2.5 petrol through the third generation and on early 2.0 petrol. Diesel injection is not measured on the 1.6 and 2.0 diesels of generation 3.

Performance, mpg and CO2

Fastest measured 0–100: 1.5 AT e-4orce 7.2 s. Next: 1.5 AT e-Power 8.0 s, 1.5 VC-T CVT 204 hp AWD 8.4 s, 1.5 VC-T CVT 204 hp FWD 8.7 s. Used-car fastest: restyle 2.0 MT Diesel 177 hp AWD 9.4 s, then 2.0 CVT Diesel 177 hp FWD 9.6 s, then 1.6 MT Gasoline 163 hp 9.7 s, then second-generation 2.5 MT 169 hp 9.8 s. Slowest measured: 2.2 MT 114 hp 13.7 s. Highest measured top speed: restyle 2.0 MT Diesel 177 hp AWD 204 km/h. Fourth-generation petrol 1.5 VC-T CVT 204 hp and 163 hp both 200 km/h; 1.5 AT e-Power is 170 km/h — 30 km/h below those petrol CVTs at the same 204 hp badge on the petrol side.

AWD cost on the 144 hp restyle 2.0 CVT: +0.4 s (12.1 vs 11.7), −3 km/h (180 vs 183), +0.4 l/100 km mixed (7.5 vs 7.1), +87 kg (1642 vs 1555), +9 g/km CO2 (174 vs 165). Manual vs Variable on the same 144 hp FWD petrol: 2.0 MT 11.1 s vs 2.0 CVT 11.7 s (0.6 s), mixed 8.3 vs 7.1 (1.2 l/100 km extra on the Manual), city 11.2 vs 9.0. Diesel 1.6 MT 130 hp FWD vs AWD on the restyle: FWD 10.5 s / 4.9 mixed / 129 g/km; AWD 11.0 s / 5.3 / 139 g/km. Putting Variable on the 130 hp diesel (1.6 CVT FWD) costs 0.9 s vs the FWD Manual (11.4 vs 10.5) and saves 0.0 wait: mixed 5.1 vs 4.9 — 0.2 l/100 km extra on the CVT, not a saving.

Lowest measured mixed: restyle 1.6 MT Diesel 130 hp FWD 4.9 l/100 km. Then 1.6 CVT Diesel 5.1, AWD 1.6 MT Diesel 5.3, 2.0 Diesel 177 hp 5.6. Fourth-generation 1.5 AT e-Power 6.0. Highest measured mixed among later cars: restyle 2.0 MT 144 hp and 2.5 CVT 171 hp both 8.3; second-generation 2.5 MT 169 hp 9.6; first-generation 2.0 MT 140 hp FWD 9.4. City/highway not measured on 1.5 AT e-4orce, 1.5 AT e-Power, both 204 hp 1.5 VC-T CVT cars, and both 2.5 CVT 184 hp cars.

CO2 span (where measured): 129 g/km (1.6 MT Diesel 130 hp FWD, restyle) to 214 g/km (2.5 CVT 169 hp, 2 generation restyling). 1.5 AT e-Power 133 g/km; 1.5 AT e-4orce 148 g/km; 1.5 VC-T CVT 163 and 204 hp 161 g/km. Hybrid 2.0 CVT 147 hp on generations 3: 0–100, top speed, mpg and CO2 not measured.

Dimensions, weight and ground clearance

Kerb range in the file: 1370 kg (1 generation 2.0 AT 150 hp FWD) to 1965 kg (1.5 AT e-4orce). Gross: 1845 kg (3 generation Hybrid FWD) to 2535 kg (e-4orce). kg per hp on the quick fourth-generation cars: e-Power 1828 / 204 = 9.0 kg/hp; e-4orce 1965 / 213 = 9.2 kg/hp; 1.5 VC-T CVT 204 hp FWD 1664 / 204 = 8.2 kg/hp — less mass per horsepower than the hybrids, yet 0.7 s slower than e-Power and 1.5 s slower than e-4orce because peak torque is 300 Nm vs 525 Nm. Restyle 1.6 MT 163 hp: 1430 / 163 = 8.8 kg/hp. Restyle 2.0 MT 144 hp: 1525 / 144 = 10.6 kg/hp.

Ground clearance: 210 mm on third-generation combustion cars and on most fourth-generation petrol CVTs; 200 mm on many first- and second-generation cars and on 1.5 AT e-Power; 195 mm on 3 generation Hybrid 2.0 CVT; 185 mm on 1.5 AT e-4orce; 180 mm on two first-generation 2.0 AT 150 hp versions. Buying e-4orce for speed costs 25 mm versus the 210 mm 1.5 VC-T CVT cars.

Tank: 60 l (gen 1 and gen 3), 65 l (gen 2), 55 l (gen 4). Range arithmetic on measured mixed figures: restyle 1.6 MT Diesel FWD 60 / 4.9 ≈ 1224 km; 2.5 CVT 171 hp 60 / 8.3 ≈ 723 km; 1.5 AT e-Power 55 / 6.0 ≈ 917 km; 1.5 VC-T CVT 163 hp 55 / 7.6 ≈ 724 km.

Wheels: gen 3 225/65 R17, 225/60 R18, 225/55 R19 (hybrids sometimes only 17/18). Gen 4 235/60 R18, 235/55 R19, 255/45 R20. Gen 2 some 2.0 CVT 137 hp: 215/60 R17, 215/65 R16. Most gen 1 and many gen 2 wheel sizes not measured. Suspension on the later cars: Independent, spring front and rear. Brakes: Ventilated disc front, Disc rear (spelling as in the data).

Problems, reliability, and what the file does not say

This catalogue has no failure rates, recall counts, CVT life, diesel DPF statistics, or hybrid battery life. Reliability is not measured here. What you can infer from specs only: Variable gearboxes are the default from generation 3 onward on petrol; Manual 6 is concentrated on diesels and on 1.6 MT / 2.0 MT petrol. Compression 14–14.1 on fourth-generation 1.5 engines vs 11.2 on the 144/147 hp 2.0 petrol and 10 on 2.5. Diesel compression 15.4–15.6 (later 2.0) and 16.7 / 18 on first-generation 2.2 MT. High compression plus Turbo plus Direct injection (direct) is the fourth-generation pattern; it is not a durability verdict.

Which version to choose

Buy 4 generation 1.5 AT e-4orce if the filter is 0–100 and AWD: 7.2 s, 525 Nm, 213 hp, mixed 6.6, CO2 148. Accept 1965 kg, 185 mm, 170 km/h not applying — top speed here is 180 km/h, 20 km/h below the 204 hp petrol CVT.

Buy 4 generation 1.5 AT e-Power if the filter is mixed mpg on a new car: 6.0 l/100 km, 133 g/km, 8.0 s, FWD, 200 mm. You give up 0.8 s and AWD versus e-4orce and 30 km/h versus 1.5 VC-T CVT 204 hp (200 km/h).

Buy 4 generation 1.5 VC-T CVT 204 hp FWD if you want Variable, 200 km/h, 8.7 s, 210 mm, 1664 kg. The AWD twin is 0.3 s quicker (8.4) and 0.7 l/100 km thirstier mixed (7.3 vs 6.6) at +26 kg. Both 204 hp cars share 300 Nm; the 163 hp 1.5 VC-T CVT has 306 Nm but 41 hp less, so 0–100 is 9.6 s — torque does not buy the sprint when power is 163 vs 204.

Do not rank 4 generation 2.5 CVT 184 hp on speed or mpg: those fields are not measured. You only know 184 hp, 244 Nm, 2488 cm³, FWD 1578 kg or AWD 1672 kg, tank 55 l, clearance 210 mm.

Used, petrol, Manual: 3 generation / restyling 1.6 MT 163 hp FWD — 9.7 s, 200 km/h, 6.2 mixed, 145 g/km, 1430 kg, lightest later petrol. Used, diesel, Manual AWD: restyle 2.0 MT 177 hp — 9.4 s, 204 km/h, 5.6 mixed. Used, diesel, lowest mpg: restyle 1.6 MT 130 hp FWD — 4.9 mixed, 129 g/km; AWD if you need it costs 0.4 l/100 km mixed and 0.5 s. Used, Variable petrol family car: restyle 2.0 CVT 144 hp FWD — 7.1 mixed, 11.7 s; skip the 144 hp AWD unless you need AWD, because it is the slowest 144 hp car (12.1 s). 2.5 CVT 171 hp AWD buys 1.2 s vs that AWD 144 hp (10.5 vs 12.1) and 10 km/h (190 vs 180) at the same 8.3 mixed as the 144 hp Manual — the extra 27 hp does not raise mixed consumption versus 2.0 MT 144 hp, but it does versus 2.0 CVT 144 hp FWD (+1.2 l/100 km).

2 generation restyling 2.0 AT 150 hp AWD is a poor swap for 2.0 MT 150 hp AWD: +1.3 s, −4 km/h, mixed 8.1 vs 6.9. 2 generation 2.5 MT 169 hp remains the petrol sprint of that era (9.8 s) at 9.6 mixed. 1 generation 2.0 AT 280 hp is the power outlier (280 hp, 5.2 kg/hp) with 0–100 not measured — you cannot claim it is the fastest car, only the most powerful. 1 generation 2.2 MT 114 hp is the car to avoid on every measured performance axis.

Same-name traps: 2.0 CVT can be 137, 141, 144, 147 or 177 hp and Gasoline, Diesel or Hybrid. 1.6 MT is 163 hp Gasoline or 130 hp Diesel. 1.5 VC-T CVT is 163 or 204 hp. 2.5 CVT is 169, 170, 171 or 184 hp. 2.0 AT is 140, 150 or 280 hp. Match hp, fuel, drive and generation before you match the badge.