X-odus marks first major test for midsize SUV

THE ALL-NEW X-Trail compact SUV would go head-to-head with such best-sellers as the Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester and Mazda CX-5.

MANILA, Philippines–Roughly 280 kilometers in six hours covering Manila to the City of Pines, making the push from 16 meters all the way to 1,500 meters above sea level, the all-new Nissan X-Trail made a remarkable debut on the streets of the Philippines, ahead of its highly-anticipated release this month via X-odus, the X-citing X-Trail X-perience.

After the successful launch of the Nissan X-Trail at the 5th Philippine International Motor Show, where droves of people flocked to get a glimpse of its stunning design, X-odus, a media ride and drive, was the first test of its testosterone-driven performance and a showcase of its unparalleled can-do attitude.

Over 40 journalists from the motoring and lifestyle media got a chance to drive the all new X-trail and put it through its paces. Starting from the Nissan North Edsa, the convoy of 17 strong drove through long stretches of highway, tight national roads and trekked up to Baguio, en route to the picturesque Manor Hotel.

First introduced in 2003, the X-Trail has long been the choice of many Filipinos because of its versatility, unique design and capability. Built and assembled in Nissan’s Kyushu plant in Japan, the X-Trail has a commanding presence that very few in its segment can match. It mixes bold lines with a muscular body to create a look that can only be matched by its stunning on- and offroad performance.

Modern, crossover look

With bold lines and powerful curves, the X-Trail adopts the V-motion front grille design to boost the brand’s visual presence and exudes a more modern, crossover look with an undeniably imposing muscular stance. It also has a sleek, new boomerang-shaped head and tail lamps that stylishly bookends the best-looking X-Trail to date. Not to mention the LED daytime running lights making it possible to guarantee safety while still looking sharp.

The third-generation X-Trail is not just better, it literally is a lot bigger, boasting a seating capacity of seven. The cabin offers a variety of configurations—

40:20:40 on the second row with slide function and 50:50 on the third row—making it an ultraflexible vehicle, ready for any situation that may arise, from cruising around the city to challenging the great outdoors. And with doors swinging as wide as 80 degrees, getting in and out won’t be a problem.

Larger than the previous model and certainly among the biggest in its class, the all-new X-Trail possesses an imposing stance and translates all of that size into plenty of interior space allowing it to be always ready for your next adventure, every single time.

Its onroad performance is undoubtedly a beast to behold with a 210-millimeter ground clearance. The X-Trail gives you that extra confidence needed for your next offroad adventure or to simply conquer the next enhanced monsoon rain.

Built with the customer in mind, the X-Trail comes standard with a push button ignition paired with Nissan’s intelligent Key System and an eco mode switch that helps the driver achieve better fuel consumption. The vehicle also has an eco evaluation system, which displays a pedal guide monitoring your drive’s fuel efficiency.

The X-Trail comes with a completely new look without abandoning key elements of its design that speak of its power to conquer challenges presented by the terrain and the ability to cater to your active lifestyle.

“The long wait is over. The all-new X-Trail is a model highly anticipated by Filipino fans, and we are proud that the Philippines is one of the first markets to launch in Southeast Asia. The X-Trail is both a beauty to behold and an efficient vehicle ready for the road, making it the embodiment of Nissan’s innovation,” said Antonio Zara, president and managing director of Nissan Philippines Inc.

More capable than ever

More capable than ever before, the testosterone-driven,   all-New X-Trail comes cloaked in sophisticated lines that accentuate its size, letting it exude a do-it-all aura that is complemented by these new innovative features:

Active Ride Control. Thread rough roads effortlessly using Active Ride Control, which monitors the road surface to detect road imperfections, letting the vehicle automatically adjust to any road condition and keeps the ride smooth.

Active Engine Brake. Using Nissan’s XTRONIC continuously variable

transmission (CVT), Active Engine Brake ensures you can smoothly transition into a corner with better braking control and better pedal feel sans the usual braking effort.

Around View Monitor. Nothing is as appealing as seeing a beauty in all fours. With X-Trail’s Around View Monitor, get a bird’s eye view of the vehicle using four different camera angles making backing and parking as smooth and easy as possible.

Hill Start Assist. Drive through steep inclines without breaking a sweat with Hill Start Assist. This standard feature in all 4WD variants utilizes torque and brake detection preventing the vehicle from sliding back whenever you’re on a steep incline.

The all-new X-Trail comes in pearl white, diamond black, brilliant silver, fiery red, and the exclusive color for the 4×4 variant, copper blaze. It comes in two trims: the top of the line is a 4WD powered by a 2.5-liter engine producing 168.66 horsepower and 233 Newton-meters of torque and boasts of a state of the art infotainment system with a 5-inch LCD screen; and the 2WD variant with a 2-liter engine that puts out 142.03 HP and 200 Nm of torque. Both models are matted to Nissan’s Xtronic CVT with the option of manual mode.

The third generation X-Trail will be available in Nissan showrooms this month, with the suggested retail price as follows: P1.375 million for the 2-liter, 4×2 variant and P1.58 million for the 2.5-liter, 4×4 variant. Nissan is accepting reservations for the all-new X-Trail at a special introductory price of P1.55 million (4×4) and P1.35 million (4×2) until Oct. 31 only.