Having seven seats is always a great selling point here in the Philippines. While that option is normally reserved for MPVs and larger SUVs, even smaller ones are starting to get into the fray. One such entrant, fighting in the compact crossover genre is the Nissan X-Trail. Being the second of three crossovers that offer three rows of seats, the X-Trail can’t claim to have that as a unique proposition. What it can claim though is that it underwent a bunch of tweaks that make it a more convincing choice now. The question is: are they enough to help keep the X-Trail on stride in the highly competitive market?

First impressions are pretty good. The 2018 update has certainly made the X-Trail look much sportier compared to when it first launched in 2015. Gone is the generic soap bar-shape and in its place is a more angular, more aggressive looking face. The larger grille, LED headlights, and chiseled bumpers all suit the “active lifestyle” commonly associated with SUVs without going overboard. Towards the back, the changes are far less obvious but the new bumper and boomerang-shaped LED taillights do the job of adding a bit of character. The final modernizing touches are courtesy of the new shark’s fin antenna (replacing the old school pole-type) and two-tone 19-inch alloy wheels (replacing the 17-inch ones).



Sadly, Nissan’s efforts seem to be concentrated on the exterior since they’ve largely forgotten to modernize the interior. Though there are various soft-touch plastics and even leather on the steering wheel, dashboard, and shifter base, there are also some hard, scratchy plastics too. It’s well-hidden thanks to its texturized finish, but poke long enough and it’s noticeable—lower dash, door trims, center console—they all fall victim to this. Plus, the doors close with a tinny twang making it feel far less premium than a fair few of its rivals.

For the driver, the X-Trail remains a safe, solid bet. The seat itself is cushy and combine that with a tilt/telescopic steering wheel and it’s easy to find a comfortable driving position. The gauges are large and easy to understand as are the various buttons and switches. The latter is also crisp-feeling with precise, positive engagement.



Surprisingly, the most disappointing parts of the X-Trail has much to do with the 2018 update. The Around View 360-degree monitor is a great idea, but cramming the display into a low-resolution, 5-inch screen makes it pretty close to useless. The same goes for Moving Object Detection or MOD. Instead of pinpointing exactly where the moving object is, the system simply alerts you in which general area (front, back, left, or right) it’s in. The driver will then have to decipher it and that’s quite difficult with the miniscule screen. There’s an audible warning, but it’s easily drowned out. It’s the same problem with the blind spot warning system which has too small an indicator and too soft a warning chime.

Honestly, the only thing that worked perfectly is the Forward Collision Braking and Forward Collision Warning system. It’s perfectly tuned to local road conditions with no false alarms or unwanted emergency braking.



As a family hauler, the X-Trail is packaged pretty well for its size. The first two rows of seats are pretty solid with ample head and generous leg room. However, the third row of seats is best left for occasional use. Getting in and out is easy thanks to rear doors that open almost 90 degrees and a second row that tilts and slides forward, but it’s definitely a “knees-up” situation at the back. The second row is adjustable allowing for additional legroom, but even then, it doesn’t make it more habitable.

Perhaps the X-Trail’s weakest point is when it comes to driving excitement, or the lack of it. The softly-sprung suspension gives an impression of it being cushy and plush, and it is over smooth pavement. But the moment it goes over anything slightly rough, it will bob and thud its way through. What’s more, sharp-edged bumps will cause the entire car to shake and shudder, and it takes a moment to regain its composure. The light steering is a godsend in traffic jams or parking maneuvers, but it takes a bit more lock to get it into corners. It doesn’t feel particularly pointy when pushed, and even in the rare instances when it’s up for a dance, it tips and leans heavily into corners. NVH isolation is one of the X-Trail’s strong suits, with the thin glass being the only chink in that armor.



Under the hood, the X-Trail remains mechanically unchanged. It still runs on a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder motor making 171 horsepower and 233 Nm of torque. It feels sluggish off the line but picks up the pace as it gains momentum. Driven sensibly, it’s smooth but fuel economy could be better (5.40 km/L at 11 km/h, 9.35 km/L at 27 km/h). Start prodding the accelerator though and it’ll always feel like it’s a half step behind. Because of the CVT’s need to adjust its ratios, the coarseness of the engine is made obvious.

In value for money terms, the 2018 update does give the X-Trail much more equipment this time. Now, they’ve thrown everything from powered front seats to a panoramic sunroof to a hands-free powered tailgate to all sorts of driver assistive technology under the Nissan Intelligent Mobility umbrella: Blindspot Warning System with Cross Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Braking, Forward Collision Warning, and of course, the Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection. Honestly, the packaging would have been perfect if not for the lack of a more modern infotainment system with a bigger screen (no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay here) and more standard airbags (it only has, shockingly, two).



With the revised exterior styling, better standard equipment, and slew of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features, the 2018 Nissan X-Trail has become an okay choice in the crowded compact crossover segment. If it were the only one with standard seating for seven, then that would have made it a clear winner. Sadly, there are far more okay choices out there. As it stands, Nissan may have moved the X-Trail onto the right track, it’s just that its competitors have moved on even further.

For the longest time, Nissan didn’t know how to properly position the X-Trail. From trying to be all for the “active and tough” with the angular first- and second-generation models with the plastic front fenders and roof-mounted lights respectively, the current third-generation X-Trail turns a full 180 and goes all curvy and family friendly. And while they’ve stumbled out of the gate initially, especially when it comes to equipment level, they seemed to have rectified that with the 2018 refresh.

With the influx of technology and the speed at which it’s developing, one thing that most of us probably miss is this: simplicity. Back in the day, things get done when they get done. Nowadays, everyone wants everything at the snap of a finger. And we’re not talking about the latest smartphone or appliance, for that matter. No, this story is about the integration between technology and driving.

Nissan Philippines has just revealed the first local vehicle to benefit from their strategic Nissan Intelligent Mobility: the refreshed 2018 X-Trail. Available at all Nissan dealers starting this month, the 2018 X-Trail brings with it new technologies that offers a more confident and connected driving experience.

Nissan is continuing to create outrageous one-off of its production vehicles. Following the NV Cargo X, an extreme off-road version of the NV Cargo van, Nissan has come up with the Rogue (Philippine-model X-Trail) Warrior Trail Project.

Crossovers and dogs often go together so it comes as a surprise that Nissan took some time to develop a dog-friendly version of its X-Trail. Currently a concept, the X-Trail 4Dogs Concept is filled with everything a dog and a doting fur-parent would want. Features include a two-way dog cam, water shower, dryer, and access ramp.

After Honda unveiled the all-new 2017 CR-V, Nissan is also updating the X-Trail (well, the US market Rogue) with a bit of styling tweaks that aim to add a bit of dazzle.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

After touring Rizal and Zambales, the third leg of “Visit the Philippines, Drive to Discover with Nissan” goes to its first location outside Luzon: Region 8. Leyte and Samar played host to the program created in conjunction with the Tourism Promotions Board or TPB, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism. The program aims to boost local tourism using road travel to tourism destinations recommended by the TPB.

In an effort to uphold safety and maintain satisfaction among Nissan customers, Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI), has issued a voluntary recall campaign for select vehicle models due to faulty passenger airbag inflators. This effort follows the lead of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., in light of the defective Smokeless Passenger Inflators (SPI) from Japanese auto parts supplier Takata.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Back in 2000, the Nissan X-Trail was launched with an upright, boxy body that looked rather sedate. What it lacked in style though it made up for it with interesting stuff like a washable cargo hold, water repellant seats, and commendable off-road abilities (although comparing its AWD system with the Skyline GT-R’s leaves a bad taste). Still, next to fashion comedy, Zoolander, it looked like the X-Trail withstood the effects of time better than the film’s zebra-print pants, faux fur, and over-the-top hair. Now, here’s the 2015 model.

It seems Ford Philippines is re-defining what ‘premium’ in ‘premium compact crossover’ really means with the all-new 2015 Escape. Available in two variants, the 1.6 SE and 2.0 Titanium, it’s bound to draw comparisons with the best compact crossovers available in the market as of now namely, the Subaru Forester, Mazda CX-5, and Nissan X-Trail.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

Driving up to Baguio, the City of Pines, was once considered an automotive torture test. It was where new cars are brought up in the hopes of getting back with tales how everything went smoothly or awfully wrong. Although those days are over, Baguio is still a commonly preferred destination to stretch a new car’s legs, and of course, act as a quick getaway. Thus, it wasn’t a big surprise that Baguio was chosen as the destination to shakedown the all-new Nissan X-Trail—the compact crossover that promises to signal the Japanese brand’s return to glory.

Nissan Philippines is aiming to increase excitement in its local line-up as the unified company launches the all-new X-Trail at the Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS). Perhaps the model with the strongest consumer recall locally, the third-generation X-Trail is Nissan’s global compact crossover offering that is slated to be sold in over 190 countries worldwide. The Philippines is one of the first countries in the ASEAN market to receive the X-Trail which is built at Nissan’s Kyushu, Japan plant.

Nissan Motor Philippines, Inc. (NMPI) is the first car maker to reveal more about what to expect at the upcoming Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) which will run from August 16-19 at the World Trade Center.

Photos by Ulysses Ang

When it’s said that the compact crossover segment is the most highly contested out there, that’s an understatement. Consider this: it’s the only segment in the Philippine market where every carmaker has a entrant be it utilitarian, upscale, luxurious, or sporty. Everyone from the Japanese (the original purveyors of the compact crossover genre) to the Americans, and even the Europeans are all in the act. Sad to say, when it comes to buying an actual compact crossover, top-of-mind choices often take precedent over what’s actually good or recommendable.