2024 Nissan X-Trail N-Trek Review

Have you ever tried sitting on one of those tiny camping stools?

You know, the cheap retail store ones that get just 5 inches off the ground, with no back support and your knees ending up somewhere near your ears. You end up leaning forward to keep your balance and you know you're just waiting for the chair to crumble under your weight.

That's exactly what came to mind when I tested the third row of seats in the 2024 Nissan X-Trail N-Trek 7-seater.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves.

The X-Trail is one of Nissan's most popular models, beloved by families for its practicality and comfort.

The model I am driving is the spruced up N-Trek trim, adding some visual flair and some extra equipment.

Priced from $53,355 drive-away for the 5-seater and $56,610 drive-away for the 7-seater, the N-Trek sits as a mid-tier option, offering an attractive mix of features for families who want a bit more than the base model but don't need all the bells and whistles.

Whether that price difference is worth it for the extra seats is a question we'll get into later.

I spent a week driving both the 5-seater and the 7-seater, trying to figure out whether that third row is worth the extra cash.

What's the 2024 Nissan X-Trail N-Trek like to drive?

The X-Trail N-Trek is the kind of car you don't need to think about when you're behind the wheel - and I mean that as a compliment.

It's comfortable, predictable and easy to drive, which is exactly what most families want.

The ride quality is excellent, with the suspension doing a good job of smoothing out potholes and uneven surfaces. Whether you're navigating bumpy suburban streets or cruising down the highway, the X-Trail feels composed and unflustered.

Then there's the cabin. It's so quiet inside that I found myself double-checking if I'd left the engine running at traffic lights. Nissan's sound-deadening efforts are genuinely impressive, making the X-Trail feel more refined than you'd expect at this price point.

Fuel efficiency is another positive. The petrol-powered model I tested delivered a respectable 8.1 litres per 100 km in mixed driving. That's not quite hybrid territory, but it's good enough to avoid frequent stops at the servo - something every parent with a car full of kids will appreciate.

The downside? The 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, while reliable, isn't going to blow anyone's socks off.

It produces 135kW and 244Nm, which is enough for most daily driving but can feel a little underwhelming when you're trying to overtake or tackle a steep hill.

The CVT gearbox doesn't help, either, occasionally letting out an uninspiring drone under hard acceleration. But let's be honest - if you're shopping for an X-Trail, you're probably not looking for blistering performance.

What's the 2024 Nissan X-Trail N-Trek like inside?

Stepping into the X-Trail, you're greeted by an interior that's functional and modern but not exactly luxurious.

Nissan has made improvements, with soft-touch materials on the dash and an intuitive infotainment system, but there's still a lingering sense that more could be done.

The front seats are comfortable, albeit leaning towards the firm side. Preferences obviously differ on that front, but given the efforts made to make the cabin so quiet and peaceful, I was expecting them to be slightly cushier.

The second-row seats are just like the front, but offer up ample legroom and even some adjustment for passengers in the second row.

The third row in the 7-seater, however, is where things go pear-shaped.

It's cramped, with almost no legroom and a seating position that's better suited to a yoga class than a family road trip.

You can slide the second row forward to make more space, but then everyone ends up uncomfortable. It's a no-win situation.

If you don't need the third row, the 5-seater is the clear winner here. With no extra seats crammed in, the cabin feels more spacious and practical.

What's the 2024 Nissan X-Trail N-Trek boot like?

Boot space is another area where the 5-seater outshines the 7-seater.

With all 5 seats in use, you get a generous 585 litres of cargo space - perfect for prams, shopping, or luggage for a weekend away. Fold the second row down and that expands to a cavernous 1,396 litres, which should be more than enough for even the most ambitious IKEA trip.

The 7-seater, on the other hand, sacrifices practicality for those extra two seats.

With the third row upright, you're left with a measly 135 litres - barely enough for a couple of backpacks.

Fold the third row flat and you're back to the same 585 litres as the 5-seater. But at that point, you're paying extra for seats you're not using.

To put this into perspective, let's compare the X-Trail's boot space with some of its direct competitors:

Model	Seats	Boot space (all seats)	Boot space (third row flat)
Nissan X-Trail	5	585 litres	-
Nissan X-Trail	7	120 litres	465 litres
Kia Sorento	7	179 litres	608 litres
Toyota Kluger	7	241 litres	552 litres
Mazda CX-9	7	230 litres	810 litres
Hyundai Santa Fe	7	130 litres	629 litres
Hyundai Palisade	7	311 litres	704 litres

How safe is the 2024 Nissan X-Trail N-Trek?

On paper, safety is one of the X-Trail's strongest suits. It's loaded with features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and autonomous emergency braking.

Nissan's ProPILOT system also offers semi-autonomous driving capabilities, which makes long highway journeys less of a chore.

However, I found myself turning this off and just using normal cruise control. The lane keeping and semi-autonomous driving functionality felt too much like I was wrestling with the car and it was constantly asking me to hold the steering wheel, even when I was already holding it.

The 360-degree camera is a standout feature, especially for parking in tight spots and the 5-star ANCAP safety rating is a reassuring tick for families.

2024 Nissan X-Trail N-Trek: The verdict

The 2024 Nissan X-Trail N-Trek is a solid family SUV that does most things well.

It's comfortable, quiet and economical, with enough practicality to handle everyday life. The 5-seater version is particularly impressive, offering plenty of space and a smoother, more cohesive design.

The 7-seater, however, feels like a compromise.

The third row is simply too small to be useful and the reduced boot space makes it less practical overall.

Ultimately, the price difference for those extra seats feels hard to justify given their limitations.

If you're thinking of buying an X-Trail, save yourself some money and stick with the 5-seater - it's the smarter choice. At its price point, it's a quiet, comfortable and practical family SUV that does the job without any unnecessary compromises.

The 7-seater? That's more of a party trick best left at the dealership.