With the addition of the new 2005 Nissan X‑TRAIL, Nissan Canada Inc. has all the sport utility bases covered with eight uniquely different SUVs in its lineup.

"X‑TRAIL is an innovative entry-level sport utility vehicle that perfectly complements Nissan Canada's current lineup of SUVs," says Ian Forsyth, Nissan Canada director of marketing. "Small SUVs make up 44 percent of the SUV market in Canada, and X‑TRAIL gives us a highly efficient, extremely adaptable entry into that market."

X‑TRAIL joins an SUV roster that includes the authentic Xterra, the rugged Pathfinder, the sophisticated Murano and the full-size Armada.

"Just as the new full-size Nissan Armada crowns our strong SUV lineup, X‑TRAIL gives it a strong foundation," Forsyth says. "Along with SUVs from our luxury division Infiniti - the FX35, FX45 and the new full-size QX56 - Nissan Canada Inc. clearly offers the most comprehensive SUV lineup in Canada."

The 2005 X‑TRAIL, which will go on sale in Nissan dealerships across Canada this spring, is not available in the United States where buyers favour larger SUVs, but it's been a smash hit everywhere it has been sold.

Introduced in 2000 in Japan, X‑TRAIL won Japan's Good Design and Internet Car of the Year. Introduced two years later in other markets, X‑TRAIL scooped up a showcase full of 2002 awards in Europe and Mexico.

Highlights of the 2005 Nissan X‑TRAIL include:

Body

• Front fenders are polyurethane, designed to return to their original shape after a slight bump
• Three-dimensional headlights
• Colour-keyed front and rear bumpers, bodyside mouldings and outside mirrors (power adjustable and heated)
• 16-inch steel wheels with full wheelcovers
• Standard roofrack rails
• Chromed door handles and liftgate finisher

Engine and Driveline

• 2.5-litre 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder engine, producing 165 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 170 ft-lbs of torque at 4,000 rpm
• Aluminum alloy block and cylinder head
• Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS)
• Nissan balance-shaft technology features a silent chain drive and a balancer system that effectively negates vibrations without taking up a lot of space
• Nissan Direct Ignition System (NDIS)
• Four-speed automatic transmission standard on FWD models and LE AWD model
• Five-speed manual transmission standard on AWD models in XE and SE trim levels (four-speed automatic is an option)
• Snow-Mode switch standard on all front-wheel-drive models.
• AWD models feature an All Mode drive system that has an active torque distribution management system with an electro-magnetic clutch. The system is designed for smooth starts, better fuel economy and better traction.

Suspension and Brakes

• Independent MacPherson front suspension.
• Independent rear parallel bar suspension
• Front and rear stabilizer bars
• Four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), BA(Brake Assist) and EBD (Electronic Braking power Distribution)
• Available Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) on LE

Safety

• Three-point retractable safety belts on all five seats with tension reducers and ELR system
• Side-impact driver and front passenger airbags on LE
• Front and rear impact absorption zones
• Reinforced lateral structures such as crossbars, steering parts, roof, B-frames and body frames
• Active head restraints for front passenger, driver
• Reinforcements result in a light but highly resistant cabin structure.
• Doughnut-style headrests on all five seating positions
• Childproof rear door locks and Isofix child-seat anchors in outboard rear-seat positions

Interior Features

• Five-passenger cabin
• Front bucket driver's seat, eight-way adjustable, including lumbar support
• Heated cloth front seats (SE models)
• Reclining 60/40-split folding rear bench seat includes a removable fold-down centre armrest
• Standard manual air conditioning with Microfilter
• Six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system
• Super-size sunroof standard on SE and LE models (three times larger than sunroof on Honda CR-V; twice the size of Toyota RAV4)
• Cruise control
• Power windows and door locks
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Tilt steering
• Dual vanity mirrors
• Illuminated entry system
• Dual cupholders (front and rear)
• Titanium-coloured instrument gauges including a tachometer, trip odometer and digital clock.
• Washable cargo floor
• Warm/cool beverage storage box

Models and Manufacturing

• X‑TRAIL is offered in five models: XE (FWD); SE (FWD); XE (AWD); SE (AWD); LE (AWD)
• X‑TRAIL is produced by Nissan in Kyushu, Japan