Nissan Australia General Manager, Marketing, Ross Booth said the new X-TRAIL was expected to improve on sales of the previous model - which was already among the best sellers in the compact SUV market regularly achieving more than 1,000 registrations per month.

The new X-TRAIL was launched locally last month, including VDC Vehicle Dynamic Control (also known as ESP) and front side and curtain airbags standard across the range in the Australian market.

Booth said the new X-TRAIL reflected Nissan's progress in raising safety levels across its SUV range. (VDC was previously unavailable in the X-TRAIL range.)

Overseas, the new X-TRAIL was awarded a four star rating in the latest European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP).

The European specification X-TRAIL - which was not equipped with VDC Vehicle Dynamic Control - scored maximum points in side impact and pole crash tests for adult protection.

"X-TRAIL found a clear niche in the compact SUV market and now, more then ever, offers passenger-car like ride and handling in urban environments without abandoning the durability, practicality and looks of a traditional off-roader" he said.