Nissan’s boxy SUV the X-Trail has received an update for 2011 in Japan, and although it gets redesigned front grille, front bumper and headlights, it still looks the same as the old model. There’s also new LED combination taillights, 17-inch aluminum wheels with fatter tires, and choice of seven exterior colors.

Interior refinements are designed to make the car more usable. There’s larger size meters, new “Vehicle Information Display” which shows different info such as fuel consumption, cruising range, time to change engine oil and tires, and… . The upholstery is also changed from fabric to suede-like tricot.

2011 Nissan X-Trail comes with a new 2-liter “M9R” Clean Diesel which Nissan says delivers comparable power to a V6 petrol engine, but has much lower emissions. This engine is accompanied by a new “20GT” 6-speed automatic transmission. The car is also significantly upgraded in terms of mechanics to become more versatile and sporty.:

* Newly adopted Advanced Hill Descent Control system (with a speed-setting function) for 4WD models – this system enables the driver to set his or her desired driving speed arbitrarily within the range from 4km/h to 15km/h, depending on the degree of hill grade
* Glove compartment with heat-retention and refrigerator functions adopted
* Three-point seatbelt and a headrest installed at the center of the rear seat as standard equipment
* Intelligent Key system + engine immobilizer provided as standard equipment (except for 20S)
* 6-speed automatic transmission model added to the 20GT – features a highly distributed lean NOx trap catalyst dedicated to the diesel engine and a high-precision engine management system dedicated to the AT model
* 18-inch aluminum wheels adopted on 20GT models