We conclude our live coverage of the 2014 Thailand International Motor Expo with the 2015 Nissan X-Trail, which was launched in the Land of Smiles just last week. Built at Nissan's plant in Bangna-Trad, the handsome seven-seater SUV's debut there means that Thailand is now the fourth country in ASEAN to receive the car after Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore – it's surely our turn next!
As standard, the X-Trail in base 2.0S trim features a 144 PS/200 Nm MR20DD 2.0 litre direct-injected engine from the Serena S-Hybrid, an Xtronic CVT, keyless entry and start, power-operated front seats, dual airbags, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Hill Start Assist (HSA), Active Ride Control, Active Engine Braking, Active Trace Control and Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS).
Stepping up to the 2.0E brings LED projector headlights, cruise control, an Around-View Monitor (AVM) and dual-zone air conditioning, while the 2.0V adds permanent all-wheel drive, a powered tailgate, a seven-inch touchscreen Nissan Connect navigation system with six speakers and Hill Descent Control (HDC).
The top spec model is the 2.5V, which is powered by a 171 PS/233 Nm QR25DE 2.5 litre MPI motor from the Teana and gets side airbags (making it a total of four airbags), a panoramic sunroof and 18-inch wheels that replace the 17-inchers of other models.
Prices start from 1,172,000 baht (RM121,000) for the 2.0S, rising to 1,246,000 baht (RM128,600) for the 2.0E, 1,325,000 baht (RM136,800) for the 2.0V and 1,551,000 baht (RM160,000) for the 2.5V.
Over here, the 2015 Nissan X-Trail has already been advertised on our sister classifieds site oto.my, with two variants – a front-wheel drive 2.0 litre said to retail at "below RM150k" and a four-wheel drive 2.5 litre "below RM170k" – estimated to arrive on Malaysian shores in early January, just over a month from now.
