All-new 2021 Nissan X-Trail launched, 2022 debut in Malaysia likely?

Nissan has pulled the covers off the all-new, fourth-generation 2021 Nissan X-Trail. The model was leaked via patent images back in April, subsequently bared all two weeks later.

Exterior – Boldness is key

Sold as the Nissan Rogue in the US, the all-new Nissan X-Trail gains a completely redesigned exterior, featuring a two-tier headlight design that is reminiscent of current Nissan models like the all-new Juke and Serena S-Hybrid. It also gains a more angular V-Motion front grille and cleverly-hidden front fog lights.

Towards the rear, Nissan has refined the outgoing model’s tail lights, as the overall shape is similar, albeit restyled with a more modern design. The rear-end also gains character lines that flows into the number plate recess. A silver rear bumper trim piece completes the rear-end of the all-new X-Trail.

Interior – Possibly as good as the Mazda CX-5, or better

New exterior aside, Nissan has also given the brand-new X-Trail a more upmarket interior.

At a glance, you could easily mistake the X-Trail’s interior for a Mazda, as the interior is a massive step-up from the current model. It gets a large 9.0-inch floating-style infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – the former will be available wirelessly shortly after the launch.

But that is not the only LCD in the SUV. The all-new X-Trail also gets a large 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster and a 10.8-inch heads-up display. Lower variants of the all-new X-Trail receive a 7.0-inch instrument cluster.

Moving to the centre console, the all-new X-Trail is fitted with 2 USB charging ports – one Type-C port and one Type-A (regular rectangle design). It also gains a sleek new shift-by-wire shifter, allowing the X-Trail to feature a two-tier centre console – one on top and one below.

Safety – As comprehensive as it gets

For the US market, all variants of the all-new Nissan X-Trail are fitted with Nissan Safety Shield 360 – the company’s ADAS suite that includes Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist and Rear Automatic Braking. That said, features like Blind Spot Intervention (Blind Spot Warning + Lane Keep Assist), Traffic Sign Recognition, and Intelligent Cruise Control are available as cost options.

Powertrain – No hybrid, no worries

All variants of the all-new 2021 Nissan X-Trail are fitted with a 2.5-litre direct-injection four-cylinder petrol engine that does 183 PS and 245 Nm. Nissan did not mention whether a hybrid version will return for this generation of the X-Trail.

According to Nissan, the all-new 2021 Nissan X-Trail will arrive at US dealers starting fall 2020 (September 2020).

What about Malaysia?

As for Malaysia, the all-new Nissan X-Trail may not arrive here until 2022, as ETCM introduced the facelifted, third-generation X-Trail back in March 2019.