No “hand” could ever cover the sun. This presents an opportunity for newcomers like the Nissan X-Trail to emerge and dominate the market.
Introduced to the Vietnamese market in late September 2016, shortly after the Mitsubishi Outlander, the Nissan X-Trail entered the mid-size SUV segment alongside popular models like the Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, and the KIA Sportage and Hyundai Tucson from Korea.
Despite arriving later than its competitors in the crossover segment, the Nissan X-Trail has the potential to find a place in the market. As I mentioned in the introduction of this review: “No ‘hand’ is big enough to cover the sun. And that’s an opportunity for a newcomer like the Nissan X-Trail to emerge and dominate the market.” Now, let’s analyze together.
When the Vietnamese automobile market was booming, most niche segments already had established leading players. Honda, Mazda, and Hyundai were able to easily secure leading positions due to being the first arrivals. And once they took the lead, their products like the CR-V and CX-5 gained significant advantages in the minds of customers. After all, consumers tend to remember the first things in their minds.
For latecomers in the crossover segment like the Nissan X-Trail, the challenge lies in how to win over customers when dominant players already exist in the market. The typical answer is to “create a better product than the leading one. Customers will recognize the better product and it will win.” However, this strategy rarely succeeds.
However, there is another way to make a mark. Customers never want to be limited to just one brand. They fear exclusivity and being dependent on just one manufacturer. This is why when new brands enter the market, consumers tend to support them.
But in order to gain customer support, the X-Trail needs to be not only “better” but also “different.” Recognizing this opportunity, Nissan has put a lot of effort into researching and developing the product to create a competitive and accurate response to the needs of Vietnamese customers. Let’s take a closer look at how the X-Trail is “different” in terms of exterior design, interior, and performance.
Design: Standing out with simplicity
I must say that the Nissan X-Trail 2017 looks much better on the outside compared to its predecessors. Joining the Vietnamese market when the product life cycle has already entered the 3rd generation, the Nissan X-Trail 2017 has shed its rugged appearance and adopted a sleeker look. This change is both timely and relevant in a context where customers are increasingly inclined towards compact SUVs with fashionable designs and numerous features and technologies.
I particularly like the front of the car, as Nissan has introduced many new elements here while still maintaining the “Nissan character.” One eye-catching feature is the chrome-plated V-motion grille. The front lights have a seamlessly designed hexagonal shape and incorporate LED daytime lighting. The lower air grilles resemble fox-eyes and are separate from the upper grille. They are painted in a dark color with a thin chrome strip on the front bumper, serving as an accent. The diamond-shaped fog lights are also a modern feature of the X-Trail.
The rear of the X-Trail is relatively simple. The lines are decisive and not complicated, especially with the three-tier LED tail lights divided into two compartments. The main compartment slightly leans towards the side and is mounted high on the rear windshield for easy observation from a distance. The low exhaust pipe underneath the car blends harmoniously with the overall design.
Interior: Enhanced convenience
Car users in Vietnam are becoming more practical. They need a vehicle interior that is convenient and comfortable for traveling. Therefore, the Japanese carmaker does not need to create a complicated and aesthetic interior design. Instead, they focus on enhancing technology.
Let’s start with the cabin and driver position. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and equipped with integrated control buttons. It has 4-way adjustment for a comfortable driving position and also features voice-controlled modern features. The auto-dimming rearview mirror is also very useful for nighttime driving. Additionally, the ADAD driving support screen provides much-needed information to the driver.
The X-Trail is equipped with a 6.5-inch screen and an Android operating system as the central control panel. It is integrated with Radio, MP3/AUX/USB, and comes with 6 speakers. The driver can adjust the operating space of the speakers around the car. For example, if driving alone, only the driver’s position speakers are turned on. The car also has 2 power outlets, which are very convenient for passengers who forget to charge their electronic devices at home or in the office.
The X-Trail also features a smart key and push-button start, a feature that customers would immediately notice if it were missing. The driver’s seat is gravity-free and can be electrically adjusted in 8 directions, supporting the spine according to the research of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This provides a comfortable and relaxed sitting position. The front passenger seat is also electrically adjustable in 4 directions. I have driven about 1,200 kilometers in this car, and I am very satisfied. Even after sitting for a long time, I did not feel tired, experience back pain, or numbness.
The X-Trail’s air conditioning system operates automatically in 2 independent zones with a dust filtering function. It also has air vents for the rear seats, ensuring quick and pleasant cooling in the car. With the increasing number of sunny days in Vietnam and the fact that Vietnamese families often travel together to their homeland, this is obviously a plus point.
The interior door handle of the X-Trail is chrome-plated for a luxurious look. The car is highly appreciated for having a dual Panorama sunroof. This cost-effective feature allows more light to enter the cabin, creating a more spacious feeling. It provides a comfortable feeling for the driver and rear passengers to fully enjoy the beauty of nature.
The second-row seats are comfortable for adults, providing ample headroom. They can be folded in a 40:20:40 ratio and can be slid up and down to share legroom with the third-row seat. The third-row seat is quite small and only suitable for small children. While this position may be suitable for short trips, it is still an advantage compared to 5-seat SUV models.
The third-row seats can be folded flat in a 50:50 ratio. In addition to the advantage of having 7 seats, the Nissan X-Trail also appeals to passengers with its spacious luggage compartment compared to its competitors. When the third-row seats are used, the car has a cargo space of 135L. When the third-row seats are folded, it increases to 550L. This is larger compared to the Mazda CX-5’s 403L or the Hyundai Tucson’s 488L. An interesting point is that the trunk can be opened by touch.
Performance: A pleasure to drive
All the achievements and impressive statistics about the X-Trail would mean nothing if you don’t actually drive the car. “A hundred hearsays are not as good as seeing once, and a hundred times seeing are not as good as trying once.” And indeed, it was only after I had the opportunity to drive the Nissan X-Trail for about 1,200 km on a variety of roads that I understood why this car was highly rated for its practicality. The X-Trail’s strategy of focusing on technological enhancements to make it more attractive in terms of performance has been proven successful.
First, let’s talk about its capability in urban driving. The driver’s seat provides a wide field of view. The electric power steering creates a light and precise steering feel at speeds below 50 km/h. Additionally, the Around View Monitor system helps the driver easily determine the position and distance from obstacles, allowing for more accurate steering maneuvers. However, it takes some time to get used to the fisheye effect of the surround view technology. I believe that if this technology cannot be improved, an excellent traditional reverse camera is all you need.
On the highway, the Nissan X-Trail provides a comfortable and smooth feel in each accelerator pedal action and acceleration. However, it lacks a “surge.” The reaction from the engine and CVT gearbox is not really sensitive at the initial throttle. But if you continue to press the accelerator when needing to overtake slow-moving trucks, the X-Trail easily reaches speeds of 100 and 120 km/h. However, this is not a limitation of the X-Trail because the CVT on this model also has a 7-speed manual mode that somewhat satisfies the driver’s desire for a sporty driving feel.
The car is also equipped with cruise control, which may not be new but its convenience cannot be ignored. Trying this feature on the highway may be quite “boring,” but trying it on mountain passes and slopes showcases its true value. On the road from Ngoc Lac (Thanh Hoa) to Tan Ky (Nghe An), which has good road conditions but many continuous bends and speed limit signs of 40 km/h, the X-Trail’s Cruise Control shines. I set it at 40 km/h and the X-Trail automatically “stepped on the accelerator” to allow me to relax and just rest my foot on the brake pedal to be prepared in case of emergencies. When going downhill, the Cruise Control actively reduces speed, and when going uphill, it supplements the accelerator to maintain the set speed. Driving has never been simpler.
In Quang Binh, if you don’t “experience” the sand, it would be a waste. The next day, we decided to conquer the sand hills along the Dong Hoi coastline with the Nissan X-Trail. Although a small-sized SUV, the Nissan X-Trail has the ability to conquer diverse terrains, even the most difficult ones. It is a versatile terrain vehicle that goes hand in hand with many modern features appropriate to satisfy even the most demanding drivers, and this has been proven in practice. It is no coincidence that the X-Trail crossover has been welcomed and trusted by over 2 million customers in more than 190 countries.
To navigate the sandy hills, we slightly decreased the air pressure in the 4 tires and turned the drive mode knob to Auto mode. This mode is similar to 2WD mode, but the car will automatically activate the rear-wheel drive when the sensors detect a loss of traction in the front wheels. Initially, we experienced some slipping, but gradually the X-Trail was able to climb up the hills.
When faced with sinking sand or high sand dunes, we had to switch to the 4WD LOCK mode. In this mode, the pulling force is evenly distributed between the two axles. The traction decreased, and the vehicle felt more “agile,” making it easier to climb sand dunes. Thanks to the intelligent distribution of power between the wheels, whenever one wheel loses traction, the other wheels immediately provide assistance to push the car forward. After a while, the wheels became familiar with the sand and the driver became accustomed to each steering maneuver. The car glided and danced on the white sand hills.
In addition to its performance capabilities, the X-Trail also has strong safety features. Alongside standard features such as anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), and emergency brake assist (BA), the X-Trail also has electronic stability control (ESC), active engine braking control (AEB), and active steering control (ATC). All of these features help me easily control the speed and keep the car on the correct trajectory, increasing its grip on the road. I continuously drove on a stretch at a speed of 80 km/h. At this speed, if I needed to overtake slow-moving trucks, the X-Trail could easily accelerate even though it was equipped with a CVT gearbox.
After nearly a year in a market with a population of 90 million people and an increasing demand for cars, the X-Trail has transformed the crossover segment in Vietnam. What was once considered a “battlefield” exclusively for the Mazda CX-5 and the Honda CR-V has now become a three-horse race full of competitiveness.
The X-Trail 2017 stands out in terms of design, technology, and performance. Its 5+2 Crossover design style, combined with new features and technologies, gradually enabled the X-Trail to establish its position in the segment.
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