Nissan X-Trail gets a facelift for 2011

The Nissan X-Trail gets a facelift for 2011

You could be forgiven for thinking that Nissan has lost interest in it’s ‘proper’ SUV/4x4s, being interested only in its crossovers – the Nissan Qashqai and soon to be launched Nissan Juke. Nissan’s refusal to bring it’s desert-crushing Patrol to the UK would seem to reinforce the thought, but despite perceptions Nissan are about to launch the 2011 Nissan X-Trail facelift.

The X-Trail is an on-road offroader in the old fashioned sense; not a crossover. And there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s just a different market. So those happy to drive a slightly wallowy lump with no real pretensions at home comfort and on-road sophistication, but which can do a passable job even when you venture beyond a muddy car park  will be pleased there are updates for 2011.

But don’t get too excited – the changes aren’t huge. There’s a tweak to the headlights, grill and bumper up front and the lights out back get trendy LEDs. The back bumper also gets a tweak and there are new alloy wheel designs. These changes actually make the X-Trail bigger – by 10mm all round.

The interior changes are equally minor with revised instruments, higher quality materials and redesigned front seats which give a smidge more rear leg room (10mm – is this the 10mm facelift?). Not much changes on the oily side, although the Renault oil burner is now Euro 5 compliant and there have been a  few tweaks to the transmissions, with revised ratios on the manual ‘box and modifications to reduce friction on the auto.

At least it shows Nissan still cares about more than the Crossover.

By Cars UK