Nissan Australia has released the new X-TRAIL Diesel in two equipment grades and two drivetrain configurations, priced from $35,380 plus on-road costs – a sizeable $7390 more than the cheapest petrol-powered new X-TRAIL launched here in April.
That's partly because, while the entry-level X-TRAIL ST 2WD 2.0-litre petrol model is a manual-only variant priced at $27,990 plus ORCs, the cheapest front-wheel drive X-TRAIL Diesel TS is available only with a CVT automatic transmission.
Compared to the cheapest (front-drive) automatic petrol X-TRAIL (the $30,490 2.5-litre Xtronic), the base diesel is $4890 dearer.
Pricing for the premium TL-spec X-TRAIL diesel models starts just $300 higher at $35,680 plus ORCs, but that's because it's a manual-only model, as are all diesel-powered X-TRAIL 4WDs.
As such, the TL 2WD CVT diesel costs $46,280 plus ORCs and the TL 4WD manual costs the same $300 extra at $46,580 plus ORCs, making the most expensive X-TRAIL diesel a 4WD manual.
Sadly, like the petrol 4WDs, all X-TRAIL Diesels are five-seat models, meaning there is no diesel seven-seater and no diesel 4WD auto.
Just as surprisingly, the X-TRAIL Diesel is powered by the same 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine as seen in the smaller and lighter Dualis. That means its outputs the same 96kW at 4000rpm and the same 320Nm of torque at 1750rpm.
That's much less than the 127kW and 360Nm of the 2.0-litre Renault diesel that powered the previous T31 X-TRAIL. The superseded X-TRAIL Diesel was an AWD/manual-only model priced from $36,490.
Curiously, despite tare weights ranging between 1537kg (100kg more than the base petrol model) and 1608kg, Nissan lists combined fuel consumption for all models at 5.3L/100km – well down from the petrol X-TRAIL's best figure of 7.9L/100km, thanks in part to the standard fitment of an idle-stop system.
Towing capacity is 1500kg for the 2WD CVT models and 2000kg for the 4WD manuals.
The base X-TRAIL Diesel comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, daytime running lights, power folding body coloured side mirrors with indicators and a rear roof spoiler.
Inside it scores a five-inch LCD colour QVGA display, electric park brake (4WD manual only), keyless entry and starting, cruise control, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, USB/AUX/Bluetooth and NissanConnect smartphone connectivity, EzFLEX 40/20/40-split second-row seating system, Divide'N'Hide flexible rear cargo system and carpet mats.
Standard safety equipment across the range includes a reversing camera, electronic stability control (VDC), anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), hill-start assist (HSA), six airbags including full-length side curtains, body motion control (BMC), active trace control (ATC), active engine brake (CVT only), hill descent control with active brake limited slip (4WD only) and second-row Isofix anchors.
In addition, TL models offer 18-inch alloys, LED headlights with auto levelling, sensor-activated tailgate, automatic wipers, fog lights, roof-rails, privacy glass, powered tilt/slide sunroof, anti-dazzle rear-view mirror, seven-inch LCD colour QVGA monitor, satellite-navigation, digital radio, leather-accented seats, steering wheel and gear shifter, a powered driver's seat with lumbar adjustment, powered front passenger seat, heated front seats and dual-zone climate-control.
The top-spec X-TRAIL Diesel also scores extra safety features including lane departure warning (LDW), blind-spot warning (BSW) and moving object detection (MOD) and Around View Monitor (AVM).
Nissan X-TRAIL Diesel pricing (plus ORCs):
TS 2WD CVT -- $35,380
TL 2WD manual -- $35,680
TL 2WD CVT -- $46,280
TL 4WD manual -- $46,580
Premium paint -- $495