2019 Nissan X-Trail 2.0 2WD Review

As the demand for 7-seater SUVs among Malaysian families continues to grow, the competition in the C-segment SUV market has become increasingly fierce. As one of the popular models in the market, the 2019 Nissan X-Trail 2.0 2WD attracts considerable attention with its practical 7-seater layout, balanced configuration, and affordable pricing. In this test, we will focus on its spatial practicality, everyday driving performance, and whether its features meet the core needs of family users to see if it has enough competitiveness among its peers.

In terms of exterior design, the 2019 X-Trail maintains the family design style, with overall lines that emphasize steadiness and avoid being overly aggressive. The front V-Motion grille has a moderate size, complemented by chrome trim to enhance recognizability. The halogen headlights on both sides (with LED daytime running lights) have a simple design, and the addition of automatic headlights and front fog lights enhances practicality. The waistline on the side of the body extends from the front to the rear, and the 17-inch wheels are just the right size for the body proportion, neither too small nor too large. The rear design is relatively low-profile, with LED taillights echoing the design of the front. The layout of the rear fog lights and the reverse radar is reasonable as well, making the overall appearance understated yet appealing, catering to the aesthetic preferences of family users.

Inside the vehicle, the overall interior design emphasizes practicality without overly fancy elements. The dashboard is covered in soft-touch material, decorated with silver trim. While it doesn't feel overly luxurious, the texture is acceptable. The 7-inch touchscreen infotainment screen is positioned on the upper part of the dashboard, offering good operational fluency and supporting Bluetooth connectivity and basic multimedia functions. Below it, the physical button layout is clear, and the air conditioning control area uses a dual-zone automatic climate control design, with independent air vents also provided for the rear seats to cater to rear passengers' needs. The multifunction steering wheel supports volume adjustment and phone control, which is fairly convenient to handle. The instrument panel adopts a traditional self-illuminating analog design, providing clear information such as RPM, speed, and fuel consumption for intuitive viewing. In terms of features, keyless entry, push-button start, 360-degree surround-view cameras, and automatic parking are standout highlights. In particular, the 360-degree cameras are highly practical when parking in narrow spaces. However, seating adjustments rely on manual operation, which seems a bit underwhelming for a car priced at over RM120,000.

Space performance is one of the core strengths of the X-Trail. The vehicle dimensions are 4690mm×1820mm×1740mm, and the wheelbase reaches 2705mm, putting it in the upper mid-range among vehicles of the same class. The front seats provide decent support, and for a passenger with a height of 175cm, both headroom and legroom feel quite spacious. The second-row seats are adjustable for fore-aft movement and backrest angles, and when adjusted to a suitable position, legroom can reach about two fists, making long rides comfortable and not too cramped. The third-row seats are better suited for children or short-distance adult passengers, as legroom is relatively tight, but they are adequate for occasional use. The trunk space in the 5-seater configuration is 550L, which can accommodate a stroller and a few suitcases without issue. Folding down the third-row seats expands the space further, offering excellent practicality. The in-car storage spaces are also ample, with door panel storage slots, a central armrest console, and front cup holders of sufficient size to store everyday small items.

In terms of power, the 2019 X-Trail is equipped with a 2.0L naturally aspirated engine, delivering a maximum power of 144PS/6000rpm and a maximum torque of 200N·m/4400rpm, paired with a CVT transmission. During daily driving, the start is relatively smooth without a noticeable pushback feeling, but the throttle response is fairly prompt. In urban driving, acceleration for overtaking is basically sufficient. When switched to sport mode, the engine speed will stay in a higher range, and the power output is more aggressive. However, when the accelerator is pressed deeply, the CVT transmission still shows slight lag. During highway driving, after the vehicle speed reaches 100km/h, the ability to further accelerate decreases, so planning ahead for overtaking is necessary. The fuel consumption is average, with an approximate 9-10L/100km in congested urban conditions, which can drop to 7-8L/100km on highways, aligning with the officially stated combined fuel consumption level of 7.5L/100km.

Regarding handling and chassis, the X-Trail features a front MacPherson and rear multi-link independent suspension combination, with overall tuning inclined toward comfort. In daily driving, the suspension can filter out most small road vibrations, and when crossing speed bumps or uneven roads, the body doesn't sway too noticeably, providing good comfort. The steering wheel's weight is moderate with minimal play, and the directional accuracy is decent, making it agile for urban turns or parking. However, due to the taller body, there is noticeable body roll when cornering, so controlling the speed is necessary. As for noise control, in urban driving, tire noise and engine noise are not very pronounced, but at high speeds, wind noise becomes more noticeable, especially above 120km/h, where turning up the volume is needed to overshadow it.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2019 Nissan X-Trail 2.0 2WD lie in its practical seven-seater space, balanced configuration, and comfortable driving experience. Compared to peers like the Honda CR-V (primarily five seats) and Toyota RAV4 (with a higher price tag), the X-Trail's seven-seater layout and lower pricing make it more suitable for family users. However, its power performance is average, and the manual seat adjustment is somewhat inadequate.

This car is more suitable for family users who focus on practicality and balanced features, especially those who frequently need to carry 5-7 passengers. Its daily driving is relaxed, the configurations meet basic needs, and its spacious interior suits various family scenarios. If you need a reliable and practical family SUV, the 2019 X-Trail 2.0 2WD is a good choice.