CAR /
FEATURES
December 8, 2025
Two connoisseurs discuss their choice: the X-TRAIL. The true value of a genuine SUV that blends toughness with elegance.
Presented by NISSANNISSAN X-TRAIL
While SUVs that prioritize design are becoming more common, the Nissan X-TRAIL aims to fuse seemingly contradictory values—the powerful driving and practicality of an SUV with sophistication and comfort—at a high level. Motor journalist Yasuhisa Shimashita and interior stylist Katsuya Kubokawa. Two experts, one in cars and one in design, embarked on a short trip to Hakone to assess the true value of the facelifted X-TRAIL.
Direction & Text by Koichi Yamaguchi | Photographs by Ken Takayanagi | Movie by Yasuhisa Kobayashi
Evolution from Tough Gear
Facing the X-TRAIL gleaming in Cardinal Red, Shimashita and Kubokawa meet. It's the morning of their drive to Hakone.
"When I think of the X-TRAIL, I remember seeing it often when I went to the mountains for snowboarding in my younger days," Kubokawa says, associating the X-TRAIL with his memories from his twenties and thirties. The X-TRAIL of that era was a rugged SUV that emphasized its utility, pushing the "tough gear" concept that lives on in the current model.
"While previous generations had a strong impression of being tough gear, the latest model, released after the recent minor change, gives a stronger impression of sophistication and emotional appeal. Outdoor gear today also requires not just functionality, but also the satisfaction of ownership and quality as objects. The X-TRAIL's design seems to capture that trend very well," says Shimashita. The new value has been added while retaining the traditional off-road capability.
Kubokawa seems captivated by this Cardinal Red. "It's a lovely body color. Red generally has an active image, but the X-TRAIL's Cardinal Red has a depth that gives it a chic impression. It also pairs beautifully with the calm brown interior."
He is actually in the process of building a second home in the forests of Karuizawa. For Kubokawa, an interior stylist, color is a crucial element. "Cities are basically composed of grayscale colors, so this red is stimulating in a good way when seen in the city, catching the eye. On the other hand, green and red are complementary colors. It's a color that will stand out beautifully in the Karuizawa forest as well."
Toughness Residing in Delicacy
The front mask has changed significantly with the minor change. The horizontal-bar grille has presence yet is refined. Gloss black paint and satin silver accents on the lower front and rear bumpers, body sides, and wheel arches create a simultaneous impression of toughness and elegance. The 19-inch geometric wheels are also striking.
"The design of the front grille is very intricate."
Shimashita responds to Kubokawa's comment.
"Nissan is currently developing its design around the keyword 'Timeless Japanese Futurism.' This philosophy is reflected in everything from the grille and wheels to the taillights, which evoke traditional kiriko cut glass. The motif is 'Japanese,' but instead of expressing Japan directly, it's about incorporating timeless elements with a sense of speed. This concept, which subtly yet powerfully asserts that it was born in Japan but is a global brand, is unique among car manufacturers who tend to lean towards expressions of weightiness or intimidation. The coexistence and balance of toughness and delicacy are not easy to achieve. The fact that the X-TRAIL succeeds in this is surely due to that fundamental thinking. As it's called 'Timeless,' it won't feel dated over time, which I think is a pleasing point when considering ownership."
"At first glance, it gives a tough impression, but the closer you get, the more beautiful the intricate details become. Kubokawa's words reveal a perspective unique to an expert in product design."
"Furniture considered masterpieces isn't just beautiful in form; when you look closely, the details, like the joints of the parts, are also exquisite. The better the furniture, the more pronounced this tendency is. For example, the Chieftain Chair, considered the masterpiece of Danish designer Finn Juhl, who created many iconic pieces of furniture. I love this chair; its organic curves in the backrest and arms, and the delicate shaping of the wooden frame, are as graceful as sculpture. The X-TRAIL's design is similar in that it can be enjoyed both in its overall form and in its details."
Stepping inside, the cabin exudes the same sophistication as the exterior. New brown Nappa leather seats, wood-grain finishers, and an interior evoking Japanese modern style create a calm atmosphere.
"The entire interior space is composed of high-quality materials, with no trace of compromise. The overall impression is calm, with elegant straight-grain wood and brown tones, creating an atmosphere like a luxury hotel in Tokyo that incorporates Japanese elements." For Kubokawa, a design specialist, a car is more than just a means of transportation. He views cars as the culmination of product design, from the complex surface structures of the body and delicate design details to the styling and material selection in various interior parts.
The seat stitching also caught Kubokawa's eye. "The finishing is very meticulous. Stitching adds a three-dimensional quality to the leather surface, creating expression through shadows, which is impressive, and they actually feel comfortable to sit on. I feel these details were considered not just for aesthetics but also for the tactile sensation when seated."
"I pay particular attention to the texture of the materials. This Nappa leather is wonderful for achieving a smooth touch and deep color, like a luxury sofa, while ensuring the durability required for a car interior." Kubokawa's assessment as an interior specialist speaks to the high quality of the X-TRAIL's cabin.
Smoothness Felt in the City
Shimashita takes the wheel, heading for the Hakone Turnpike. On the way to the Shuto Expressway, they repeatedly stop and go at traffic lights.
"Both acceleration and deceleration are very smooth," says Kubokawa. The X-TRAIL's heart, e-POWER, uses the engine as a generator to power the electric motor. The engine operates quietly at its most efficient speed, and the electric motor delivers powerful torque from low RPMs. It accelerates powerfully the moment you press the accelerator, without the engine noise being noticeable.
"This smoothness is due to the X-TRAIL's e-4ORCE. It precisely controls all four wheels with two motors, front and rear, to suppress pitching," says Shimashita. Pitching is the phenomenon where the car body tilts forward and backward during acceleration or deceleration. Suppressing this greatly improves comfort by preventing passengers' heads from bobbing. "That's why the car moves so smoothly, and it's comfortable even as a passenger," Kubokawa smiles.
A Quietness That Creates Quality Time
As they transition from the Shuto Expressway to the Tomei Expressway, the traffic flow gradually speeds up, but the cabin remains remarkably quiet even at higher speeds.
"It's very quiet. I don't usually use the audio system much in the car, but it's so quiet that it makes me want to enjoy music. Shall we try playing something?" Kubokawa suggests. Playing a track by TEI TOWA, the BOSE Premium Sound System transforms the cabin into a premium acoustic space.
"I can hear even the subtle nuances I wouldn't normally notice. With this audio system, travel time becomes a more fulfilling experience."
"You can travel without getting tired, listening to music and conversing. A car like this makes you want to go on long journeys," says Shimashita. This quietness directly translates to comfort on long drives.
