Nissan bets big on SUVs as it makes multiple changes for 2020

Nissan has gutted its range of passenger cars dropping hatches and sedans from sale as it focuses on delivering more and more high-riding SUVs to Aussies.

Pop into your local Nissan dealership and you’ll be greeted by a Russian doll-like line-up of SUVs. From the pint-size Juke to the Qashqai, X-Trail, Pathfinder and hulking Patrol, it’s a one-stop shop catering to those seeking high-riders — which seems to be practically every Australian these days.

The Nissan Qashqai is the brand’s second smallest SUV.

Nissan’s Navara ute sells in decent numbers and the Leaf electric car gives the brand green kudos. There are old-school sports car thrills with the 370Z and GT-R — both fun, rather ancient and barely troubling the sales scorers.

Long gone from its showrooms are conventional hatches or sedans such as the Micra, Pulsar and Altima but Nissan Australia managing director Stephen Lester won’t rule out the return of four and five-door passenger cars despite the list of potential hurdles.

“We’re working with the global team on what we can bring here,” he says. “(But) the last thing we want to do is bring a car to market that’s not going to meet the high and discerning standards of Australians.” In dating parlance, that’s a “we’ll still be friends …”

The Nissan X-Trail is the brand’s most popular model.

Better to concentrate on its SUVs, especially given the changes, additions and cosmetic surgery for the 2020 line-up. And it’s needed. Most of Nissan’s SUVs will be replaced by new or significantly updated models in the next year or so, with dates to be confirmed.

We meet and drive the new SUV crew in an apt location, strikingly beautiful Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand — with mountains, coastal plains, beaches, vineyards and the art deco city of Napier. For these lifestyle vehicles, there’s a challenging mix of dusty dirt tracks, sweeping corners and wild undulations, with accompanying gorgeous views.

The Qashqai small SUV may be more of an urban cruiser, highlighted by Nissan (finally) adding desirable smartphone mirroring. It’s welcome but, mystifyingly, the deal-breaking tech is still absent on every other Nissan SUV, including its best-selling X-Trail and freshly revised Patrol.

The Pathfinder compete with the Toyota Kluger.

The 2020 Qashqai also scores advanced active safety kit in the mid-range ST+, previously only available on higher grades. The limited edition N-Sport ($35,000) gets tempters such as body coloured bumpers and wheel arches, silver flashes and 19-inch alloys.

The larger X-Trail also gains an N-Trek special edition, based on the mid-spec ST-L. With 19-inch wheels, Bose audio, smoked bonnet protector, the 2WD ($38,700) and 4WD ($40,700) wagon adds a dash more individuality.

It comes at a $1000 premium over the ST-L, one of the most popular medium SUVs, but is a five-seater rather than accommodating seven as in other X-Trails.

A new Nissan patrol is due soon.

Next up is the Pathfinder N-Trek special edition. The V6 petrol seven-seater may not attract the following of the Toyota Kluger rival but the competent, comfy and spacious lugger gets more attention with black grille, bumper strips, fender flares, door handles and roof rails.

These N-Treks, priced from $46,840-$60,640, get new black and silver 18-inch alloys with wider tyres.

Best viewed as safe bets in their respective segments, the Qashqai, X-Trail and Pathfinder do most things well without ever being exceptional. The extra decorations to the SUV range are fillers until updated models arrive.

The stalwart Patrol’s already had its much-needed style boost, a full redesign of the 4WD’s front and rear adding funky LED lights all round. Improved dampers and retuned suspension enhance the on-road ride comfort.

For long-distance adventuring, towing or not, the Patrol blends comfort and ability. Its ever-so-rare (these days) petrol V8 displaces 5.6 litres, produces 298kW and 560Nm and pulls with monstrous force, complete with a rather racy exhaust note when opened up.

If funds allow, it’s $75,990 the Ti and $91,990 the Ti-L. If you can do that, you can probably cop the fuel bills — we returned a chastening 16.9L/100km on our mix of dirt and bitumen.

Hopping into the Nissan SUVs in succession shows the breadth of the range and the merits of each — the base is sound but fresh models are vital.

A ute-based SUV — built on Navara underpinnings to rival the Isuzu MU-X and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport — wouldn’t go amiss as a successor to the Pathfinder. Hybrids are certainly on the agenda but still years away for Australia, conceding Toyota in particular a large advantage.

Originally published as Nissan bets big on SUVs as it makes multiple changes for 2020