2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti review: The dad weekender drive

Wheels Media product manager Michael Fisher spends a few days with Nissan's new X-Trail to give us his regular-bloke "I'm no journalist" take on the latest model.

I’m driving the petrol-powered Ti trim of the all new Nissan X-Trail, second in line to the premium Ti-L, but ahead of the ST-L and base ST versions.

The Ti grade is impressive. whilst it misses out on the Nappa Leather seats, Bose premium sound system, remote engine start and power tailgate of the Ti-L, it still packs a punch with the larger 12.3-inch touch screen and advanced driver display, panoramic sunroof, 19-inch alloys, all-wheel drive and Nissan’s ProPilot driver-assist technology.

The basics

2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti AWD

$50,490 before on-road costs | jump to full specs

Pricing for the Nissan X-Trail start at $37,250 for the 5-seat ST manual, through to $57,960 for the top of the range Ti-L E-Power hybrid – and $50,490 for the Ti version I'm driving in.

There are 7-seat options in the ST from $40,290 and the ST-L variants from $46,790 – but disappointingly not in the premium Ti and Ti-L versions.

Is the 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti comfortable?

With its roomy cabin and practical features, the 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti is a top contender in the SUV market.

Its spacious cabin offers plenty of room and storage options for drivers, including a clever use of space under the centre console (referred to as the "butterfly console").

The front row gets leather seating, a sporty leather steering wheel, and heated seats for a comfortable ride.

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The dash layout is clean and user-friendly, with easy-to-use instruments that control comfort, entertainment, and safety features.

The ProPilot feature, which I'll touch on later in this review, is accessible through intuitive steering wheel controls.

The X-Trail's second row has adjustable seats, accommodating both kids and adults. With the X-Trail's large boot size, the seats can be pushed back for more legroom.

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The 40:20:40 fold-down seats also allow for easy middle-row access to the boot. Rear passengers can control their comfort, making the X-Trail an ideal choice for families.

The X-Trail's 585-litre boot is one of the larger for the medium SUV segment, making spacious for family trips and easily accommodating that large shopping trip.

Mini matchup: Boot space

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What technology do I get with the X-Trail Ti?

I was fortunate enough to test the top-spec TI version of the 2023 Nissan X-Trail, which comes equipped with all of the tech features found in the range-topping TI-L.

The impressive 12.3-inch touchscreen boasts an easy-to-use interface that allowed me to connect to Android Auto or Apple Carplay with just one touch (although only CarPlay is wireless, leaving Android users to plug in like it's still 2017), and the wireless smartphone charger was a convenient feature throughout the week.

Even without Android Auto, the native Nissan apps and layout provided me with all the tools and apps I needed for a better driving experience.

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Unlike some other systems, this touchscreen allowed me to view maps using the full screen, which was impressive and useful. Although I missed the Bose 10-speaker system found in the Ti-L, the X-Trail's six-speaker audio system provided a plentiful audio experience.

The 12.3-inch instrument cluster was easy to use and fully customizable via the steering wheel controls. It provided clear information to the driver, and when combined with the 10.3-inch heads-up display, the driver would find it hard to not know how the car was tracking.

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How is the X-Trail Ti on the road?

As soon as I hit the road, I immediately felt in control of the 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti. The smooth ride and handling were impressive, and the acceleration was more than enough to take off when needed, even on hilly short trips.

The CVT transmission was fluid and agile steering made cornering a breeze, while the AWD was a welcome upgrade from my older generation 2WD Kia Sportage. The X-Trail's improved handling and grip were noticeable.

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Throughout most of my time with the X-Trail, I left it in Nissan's 'normal' drive mode, but I also spent some time using Sport mode, which provided an extra kick on backroads.

Other available drive modes include Eco, Hills, and Snow, making it easy to adjust the driving experience to different road and weather conditions. With its impressive handling and drive modes, the 2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti is a top choice for drivers who value control and performance on the road.

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What safety features does the X-Trail have?

Nissan's impressive suite of safety features is available across all versions of the 2023 X-Trail, with only the ST missing out on ProPilot.

This extensive list of safety features is comparable to any available in the medium SUV segment.

All the usual suspects are included, such as Intelligent Emergency Braking (AEB), lane departure warning, rear emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and Nissan's patented ProPilot.

My first experience using ProPilot was definitely an eye-opener, and I used it in a heavy traffic situation where it worked seamlessly, providing ample space between cars, braking in line with the flow, and steering the vehicle within the lanes. While it would take some time to build confidence in the feature, my first go was positive.

Does the X-Trail have good fuel economy?

During my time with the X-Trail, it averaged around 8.4 liters per 100 kilometres, despite many short trips in a hilly area.

This is not far off from Nissan's claimed combined fuel economy of 7.8 liters per 100 kilometers. I'm excited to compare this to the E-Power hybrid version of the X-Trail when I have the opportunity (hint hint, Stevo).

How is the X-Trail for parking?

Parking was a breeze with all of the standard parking assistance tools.

The camera automatically switches on when it senses that you are starting to park, not just when you shift into reverse, which I thought was clever. While the camera button lets you switch between camera angles, I just stuck with the rear, front, and top views.

Overall, the parking assistance tools included in the 2023 Nissan X-Trail TI make parking in tight spots much easier and stress-free.

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Does the Nissan X-Trail suit a family of four?

Absolutely! The X-Trail offers ample space and impressive fuel efficiency, making it a comfortable and safe family ride.

One potential downside is that the premium Ti models or E-Power hybrids don't come in a seven-seat version. Although the lower-spec X-Trail's third-row space can be useful even for a family of four, it's disappointing to forego features such as a larger screen, sunroof, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Overall, the X-Trail met all our needs, providing plenty of room, easy driving, safety, and a few premium features for a more enjoyable ride.

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2023 Nissan X-Trail Ti Specifications