Nissan has marked a quarter-century of X-TRAIL in New Zealand with the launch of two adventure-focused Rock Creek grades, taking the nameplate into its second 25 years with the broadest range it has offered.
- X-TRAIL marks 25 years on sale in New Zealand, with more than 27,500 delivered across four generations
- Two new adventure-ready Rock Creek models bolster X-TRAIL’s local appeal
“X-TRAIL has been a part of New Zealand families’ lives for 25 years, and its enduring success comes down to one thing: evolving with what our customers want,” said Steve Milette, Managing Director, Nissan Oceania.
“Today, we’re giving Kiwis more reasons to choose X-TRAIL, with the new Rock Creek. After 25 years and four generations, X-TRAIL remains Nissan’s best-selling nameplate in New Zealand. We’re proud of that legacy, but even more excited about what comes next.”
Twenty-five years, four generations
Since the first X-TRAIL arrived in New Zealand in November 2001 over 27,000 have found their way onto local roads. Today, X-TRAIL is Nissan’s top-selling nameplate in New Zealand and one of the most enduring names in the medium SUV segment — a legacy built over 25 years of adventure, versatility and innovation.
The T30 was the first X-TRAIL to arrive in November 2001 and quickly building a loyal following for its distinctive styling, practical design and genuine off-road capability. Its extreme-sports credentials and go-anywhere character set it apart from the outset, making light work of gravel, mud and even snow, while retaining the comfort and everyday usability expected of a family SUV.ll
By 2014, consumer tastes were shifting, and the third-generation T32 evolved with them, debuting a sleeker, more premium design inside and out. To date, the T32 remains the best-selling X-TRAIL generation by a comfortable margin.
In 2023, the all-new T33 X-TRAIL arrived, bringing a more spacious cabin and an advanced suite of safety and convenience technologies. The fourth-generation X-TRAIL also introduced Nissan’s innovative e-POWER hybrid powertrain to the family, with the wheels driven exclusively by an electric motor, while the petrol engine serves solely to generate electricity.
Rock Creek makes its X-TRAIL debut
The distinctive new Rock Creek grades have been developed for buyers seeking a more rugged interpretation of the family SUV. New Zealand takes two — a seven-seat petrol grade built on the all-wheel-drive ST-L petrol, and a five-seat e-POWER grade built on the all-wheel-drive ST-L e-POWER — both featuring unique exterior styling and bespoke interior detailing.
Outside, the X-TRAIL Rock Creek features a black V-motion grille, black roof rails, gloss-black door mirrors, a unique front lower bumper and exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels, complemented by orange accents on the front and rear badging and the alloy wheels.
A distinctive ‘three-slot’ horizontal grille treatment, inspired by the Nissan D21 ute and current Navara, is exclusive to the X-TRAIL Rock Creek. Headlining the Rock Creek colour palette is a new ‘Baja Storm’ exterior paint, paired with a black roof.
Inside, durable ballistic nylon-trimmed seats feature embroidered Rock Creek badging, while orange contrast stitching across the seats and dashboard trim, along with an orange Nissan badge accent on the steering wheel, reinforces the grade’s adventurous character.
Both Rock Creek grades bring a technology step up over the ST-L donor grade, adding a 10.8-inch head-up display and a 12.3-inch full TFT instrument cluster, at a $2600 premium over the grades on which they are based.
“The new Nissan X-TRAIL Rock Creek answers a clear call from buyers who want their compact family SUV to look and feel ready for the weekend,” Milette said.
“Rock Creek pairs genuine, rugged attitude with seven-seat practicality, and gives X-TRAIL a distinctive new character at the adventurous end of the range.”
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