The fourth-generation Nissan X-Trail arrived in South Africa with a quiet mandate: reclaim ground in a medium-SUV segment it once helped define. The flagship 2.5 Acenta Plus 4WD stands for the fullest expression of that ambition, bundling seven seats, all-wheel drive, and a naturally aspirated petrol engine into a package that now sits at R812 900. After an extended stint behind the wheel, the verdict is nuanced. This is a family SUV that excels at the art of restraint, even if it stops short of genuine dynamic flair.
Nissan's interior designers have clearly studied what South African families actually touch and feel. The Acenta Plus cabin is a material leap over its predecessor, with substantial switchgear and a dashboard layout that prioritises ergonomic logic over showy minimalism.
The digital instrument cluster, exclusive to this flagship trim, integrates cleanly with the 12.3-inch central touchscreen, while the head-up display projects speed and navigation prompts without demanding a glance downward.
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The front seats deserve particular mention. Over a long stint along the highway, the driver's perch delivered the kind of support that forestalls fatigue rather than merely tolerating it. The second row offers reasonable head and legroom for adults, though the third row is best reserved for children or short journeys.
Predictably, those two occasional seats exact a toll on luggage capacity, shrinking the boot from a useful 585 litres in five-seat configuration to a compromised 485 litres when all seven are in play.
Under the bonnet sits a 2,5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder producing 135 kW and 244 Nm, channelled through a continuously variable transmission to all four wheels. On paper, these figures appear adequate. In practice, they reveal the fundamental tension at the heart of this vehicle.
At steady cruising speeds, the X-Trail is a hushed companion. The CVT keeps revs low, and the cabin stays insulated from wind and road noise in a manner that embarrasses some premium-badged rivals. Nissan claims 7,8 l/100 km, and while enthusiastic driving will push that figure upward, the engine's efficiency on open-road journeys is genuinely commendable.
Yet ask for urgent acceleration—a highway overtake with a full complement of passengers, or a quick merge onto a busy arterial—and the powertrain's limitations surface. The naturally aspirated engine lacks the mid-range torque that modern turbo-charged rivals deliver so effortlessly.
The CVT, smooth in gentle driving, can send the engine into a strained drone when pressed. Independent testing has recorded a 0–100 kph time of 9,64 seconds, which is respectable rather than rapid. This is an engine that rewards patience and penalises impatience.
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Where the X-Trail genuinely shines are in its ride quality. The suspension strikes a careful balance between compliance and control, absorbing the worst of South Africa's road surfaces without floating or wallowing. At highway speeds, the X-Trail feels planted and secure, the kind of vehicle that shrinks long-distance journeys rather than exaggerating them.
The all-wheel-drive system, while unlikely to be assessed on serious off-road terrain by most owners, provides a useful margin of confidence on gravel roads and in wet conditions. Ground clearance of 211 mm is generous for the segment, and the drive-mode selector—offering Eco, Normal, and Sport—allows tailoring of throttle response, though the differences are modest.
Refinement, however, is not absolute. The CVT's behaviour under hard acceleration is still the most noticeable intrusion into an otherwise serene cabin. It is not a deal-breaker, but it is a reminder this powertrain prioritises economy and smoothness over engagement.
At R812 900, the Acenta Plus 4WD sits in contested territory. It undercuts a few European rivals while offering more standard equipment than several Japanese competitors.
The specification list is comprehensive: 19-inch alloy wheels, wireless smartphone charging, a surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a powered tailgate are all present. The warranty package—six years or 150 000 km—and a 3-year/90 000 km service plan provide reasonable peace of mind.
Yet the segment has never been more competitive. Chinese offerings deliver more power and more screen real estate for less money. Established rivals offer turbo-charged engines with superior in-gear flexibility.
The X-Trail's counterargument rests on build quality, refinement, and the kind of durability that accumulates credibility over years rather than months. The cabin feels engineered to withstand family life, with materials that should age gracefully rather than degrade prematurely.
The Nissan X-Trail 2.5 Acenta Plus 4WD is a vehicle defined by its priorities. It prioritises comfort over engagement, refinement over raw output, and long-term ownership satisfaction over showroom wow-factor. For families who value a quiet cabin, a supple ride, and the assurance of all-wheel drive on gravel or in rain, it makes a compelling case.
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The naturally aspirated engine and CVT combination, however well-executed in isolation, feels increasingly anachronistic in a market that has moved decisively toward turbo-charging. The X-Trail is not slow, but it often feels like it is working harder than it should.
This is a good vehicle, perhaps even a very good one, but it is not a great one. It earns recommendation on the strength of its comfort, space, and perceived quality rather than any single dynamic attribute. For the right buyer—one who values serenity over stimulation—that may be sufficient. For everyone else, the X-Trail's compromises will be difficult to overlook.
Colin Windell for Colin-on-Cars in association with
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