In June 2003, Nissan gave the car an interior and exterior facelift, while also upgrading the 2.2-litre turbo-diesels with a variable turbocharger (2.2 DCi rather than the earlier 2.2 Di), producing 136 PS (100 kW; 134 hp) instead of the original 114 PS (84 kW; 112 hp).

The external differences were slight, although the grille and the bumpers were redesigned and the Nissan logo was updated to the latest design.

The X-Trail's All-Mode 4x4 transmission transfer case enables the driver to select between 2WD, 4WD or 4WD Lock through an electronic switch on the dashboard.

Nissan offered a hydrogen fuel cell model named the X-Trail FCV on lease to businesses.

In February 2001, Nissan launched a special edition AWD X-Trail equipped with the SR20VET petrol turbocharged engine.

This was the first SR20 Nissan ever produced which paired their famous high-flowing VE head (Variable Valve Lift - "VVL") with a turbo ("DET" internals also), in a transverse engine mounting configuration with AWD.

By 2006 Nissan had narrowed and revised the trim line up to just three variants, SE (£16,825), Columbia (£20,345), and top-grade Aventura (£22,345) coming with heated and electrically operated front seats, leather upholstery, satellite navigation, and xenon headlights.

Ti adds ST on climate control, six disk CD player, fog lamps and 16" alloy wheels, and Ti-L adds Ti on leather and electric seats, sunroof, and optional DVD player.

The model was sold until 2006, when it received a minor facelift with new front bumper, grilles, headlamps, and LED tail lamps.

It featured fabric upholstery, remote keyless entry, a roof rail, 2DIN 6 CD with 4 speakers audio system, immobilizer, & collapsible steering column.

It received redesigned 16-inch rims, baby fender mirror, rear spoiler (4x2 variant only), MP3 ready with 6 speaker audio system, angel-eye foglights, among other features.

It came with redesigned interior and grille, new colour options, chrome door handles, Kenwood MP3 ready audio system, leather seats, automatic climate control and unique body stripes.

To further expose the commercial's lack of linguistic authenticity, CBC News reported the sales rep was played by an actor from Cape Breton.

[9] That commercial was parodied by a local car dealer in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in a radio advert that takes shots at Ontario marketing companies and Premier Dalton McGuinty's "nondescript" personality.

In September 2008, the 20GT became available in Japan, equipped with the M9R, a 2.0-litre turbocharged common rail diesel engine developed jointly with Renault.

Only petrol engine variants were initially offered for Japan, with the diesel-engined second generation continuing to be available for the domestic market.

[26][27] Based on an all-new CMF-CD platform shared with the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Koleos, the vehicle is a common successor for the second generation X-Trail and the Rogue that is offered in North America.

[29][30] It ditches the boxy SUV look in favour of an urban crossover look and softer lines inspired from the Hi-Cross Concept.

Aerodynamics have also benefited from carefully shaped door mirrors as well as a spoiler that covers the exhaust box and rear panel.

[39] In April 2015, Nissan announced that an X-Trail hybrid with claimed fuel economy of 4.9 L/100 km was coming to Japan.

[45] It was also launched in Thailand in February 2019 where consumers had the choice between several variants powered by either a 2.5-litre petrol engine or a 2.0-litre hybrid powertrain.

For 2017, the Nissan X-Trail has been facelifted, with restyled headlights and tail lights which includes, restyled twin LED projector headlamps with High intensity discharge and LED Daytime Running Lights, which is now offered on SL trim levels with the Premium Package, while S, SV trim levels, and the SL trim levels without the Premium Package offers Halogen Headlamps with LED daytime running lights, and LED taillights are available on all trim levels.

The 2017 model year hybrid features regenerative braking, pure drive hybrid emblems, energy monitor, hybrid battery status, under floor storage area replacing Divide-N-Hide@ Cargo System, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine (power: 141 hp and torque: 141 lb-ft) and Xtronic CVT combined with an electric motor (power: 40 hp) and lithium-ion battery, for a combined power of 176 hp.

Both Nissan and British officials confirmed that no jobs would be lost due to the modified arrangement, which will see production of the X-Trail moved to Kyushu.

[57] The fourth-generation X-Trail, designated under the model code T33, was unveiled on 19 April 2021 at the Auto Shanghai in China and went on sale on the same day, nearly a year after its Rogue counterpart was launched in North America in June 2020.

The boot capacity is measured at 560 L of storage capacity with the second row seats in place, a decrease of 5 L.[62] For the e-Power model, the system combines the variable compression ratio 1.5-litre VC-Turbo three-cylinder petrol engine with the second-generation e-Power series hybrid powertrain.

The second-generation hybrid system is said to be improved in terms of "power, smoothness, and quietness" compared to its predecessor.

All variants are powered by a 2.5-litre petrol engine with 4WD (optional on ST and ST-L, standard on Ti and Ti-L).

[75] The fourth-generation X-Trail was launched in Singapore on 11 May 2023 in a sole Prestige trim powered by a e-4ORCE series hybrid powertrain.

[77] The fourth-generation X-Trail was showcased in India on 17 July 2024 and was launched on 1 August 2024 in a sole trim powered by a 1.5-litre mild hybrid turbocharged petrol engine.