Driven: Nissan lobs X-Trail, Pathfinder N-Sport

BY TIM NICHOLSON | 24th Jul 2018

NISSAN Australia has launched new limited-edition N-Sport versions of its X-Trail and Pathfinder that add sporty styling flourishes to the SUV pair.

The rollout of the special variants – the 370Z has also been given the N-Sport treatment (see separate story) – follows the sales success of the Navara N-Sport Black Edition that Nissan released last year, with all 500 examples selling out.

The X-Trail N-Sport is based on the ST-L grade and at $39,250 excluding on-road costs for the two-wheel-drive automatic, represents a $2050 premium over the variant it is based on.

An all-wheel-drive version is also available from $41,250, representing the same $2050 premium. The N-Sport is not available on the seven-seat variants.

For the extra outlay, buyers gain gloss black mirror caps, dark metallic front and rear bumper finisher, black side sills, a dark chrome front grille, black roof rails and larger 18-inch black alloy wheels, up from 17 inches.

X-Trail N-Sport is available in four hues, including Diamond Black, Gun Metallic, Brilliant Silver and Ivory Pearl.

Just 600 examples of the X-Trail will be available.

As GoAuto reported in April, Hyundai Motor Company opposed Nissan’s Australian trademark application for the N-Sport moniker because it was too similar to its own N performance division branding.

The dispute is still unresolved, but a spokesperson from Nissan Australia said the company was in ongoing discussions with Hyundai and it is expected to be resolved next month.

The X-Trail ST-L is powered by the 126kW/226Nm 2.5-litre unit naturally aspirated petrol engine, matched with a continuously-variable transmission (CVT).

Fuel economy is rated at 7.9 litres per 100km for the 2WD and 8.3L/100km for the 4WD.

Features that are already standard on the ST-L include a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen display, sat-nav, six-way power adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless start, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, cruise control, sliding/reclining and 40/20/40 split-fold rear seats, floor storage and a space-saver spare wheel.

It also has autonomous emergency braking up to 100km/h with forward collision warning alert, pedestrian detection that brakes for people up to 60km/h, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring alert, an around-view camera with moving object detection, front foglights and leather trim.

Nissan has also given the seven-seat Pathfinder large SUV the N-Sport treatment, adding features to the two-wheel-drive automatic ST-L. Nissan has not confirmed how many Pathfinder N-Sports it will offer.

It is priced from $56,425, which is also $2050 more than the standard ST-L.

The Pathfinder N-Sport features black mirror caps, black front grille, black front and rear lower grille accents, roof rails and black painted 20-inch alloys.

Colours offered for the Pathfinder N-Sport includes Diamond Black, Gun Metallic and Ivory Pearl.

The Pathfinder ST-L is powered by a 202kW/340Nm 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine, mated with a CVT, with fuel use of 9.9L/100km.

The Pathfinder ST-L 2WD petrol is offered with standard gear including heated exterior mirrors, heated front seats, foglights, front sunroof and panoramic glass roof, four-way adjustable front passenger seat, black or ivory leather-accented seat trim, sat-nav, an auto-dimming interior mirror, stainless steel front kick plates and a 13-speaker Bose audio system.

All N-Sport variants are on sale from August 1.

2018 Nissan X-Trail and Pathfinder N-Sport pricing*