Nissan X-Trail Review

You know it’s all going to end in tears. While the big car manufacturers are either pounding out more and more SUVs in response to public demand, the companies that were slow to the party - VW, Mercedes, Peugeot and Citroen to name but a few - are desperately bringing more compact 4x4s to market.

At the same time, the powers-that-be in Brussels are close to agreeing a set of fuel economy requirements that will stop this market driven development in its tracks. If they finally agree to an average fleet requirement of about 52.9 mpg (5.4 l/km) by 2015, you can say goodbye to the SUV. This becomes all the more outrageous when you consider that currently the average car’s fuel economy in Europe is an awesome 42 mpg (6.7 l/km).

In a way you can see why the SUV is hated. SUVs tend to be over-engineered and too heavy. Being high and bulky, they don’t exactly slice through the air. They guzzle fuel (although the modern diesels in compact SUVs perform small miracles of economy and performance), and are able to get to places which cars have no right to be in the first place. They also whip up class resentment, being identified with yummie mummies taking Jasmine and Digby to the local private school. But they also have terrific qualities, explaining the clamour for them in the market place. They are high, and allow women in particular to have a commanding view of the road ahead. They also are tough and sturdy, and by the very nature of their bulk, are likely to come out as winners in any dispute with most other vehicles on the road. Yes I know that if they roll, they are likely to be death traps, but rollover accidents are not as likely as regular shunts.

Johnny come lately
Which brings me to the new Nisssan X-Trail. No Johnny come lately this. The X-Trail was an early entrant in the compact SUV stakes. In 2004, in my quest for the best SUV under £20,000 (€28,000), it was a powerful contender, although prices since then have moved on. It failed to win the best-buy because although it had a fabulous diesel engine, there was not automatic gearbox to go with it. That’s now been changed, although prices have zoomed on well past £20,000.

The best thing about the X-Trail was its simplicity and lack of pretentiousness. Some called it boxy; I called it honest. The new design unfortunately is a bit glitzy, with add-on bits making it look a bit embarrassed and out of place. The chrome rails on the roof with optional lights don’t go with the simple image, but it is still unmistakeably an X-Trail.

Xenon lights
The new version is, according to Nissan, an evolution of the old design, but it has a new chassis and body, with more powerful and economic engines, more equipment and more space inside. There are three grades to choose from – Trek, Sport and Aventura - and four engines, three of them new. It shares many components with the QashQai, Nissan’s new so-called crossover, which is half saloon and half SUV. Trek is the entry level, Sport adds things like bigger wheels, more powerful stereo, panoramic sunroof, cruise control, and front fog lamps. Aventura has leather, heated and powered seats, and you can opt for satellite navigation and xenon lights.

The new X-Trail is slightly larger, the length has been increased by 175 mm (nearly 7 inches) to 4,630 mm (15 feet). Much of this has gone to the luggage area, allowing for a “double deck trunk” which has a sliding drawer under the floor to keep valuables safe. The luggage area is finished with an easy-to-clean plastic surface.

There are two diesels – a 2.0 litre 150 bhp, and a 2.0 litre 173 bhp – and two petrols – 2.0 litre 141 bhp and 2.5 litre 170 bhp. The lesser powered diesel has an automatic ‘box, as does the most powerful petrol engine.

Aventura
I recently drove the new X-Trail range and the pick of the bunch was the 2.0dCi Aventura Explorer. Inside, it was a bit like a mini Range Rover Sport, with leather seats and an array of extras including, rear parking camera, xenon headlights, power seats, panoramic sunroof, and a terrific six-speed automatic gearbox.

The vehicle drove beautifully, and had a terrific interior with soft feel materials and much chrome and leather. The instrument cluster has been moved to behind the steering wheel which has freed up space for a central console with sat-nav and reversing camera, as well as providing space for an in-dash multi disc CD changer.

If anybody cares, the X-Trail was a great performer off-road too, matching class leaders like the Land Rover Freelander with gizmos like controlled hill descent.

Dodge Nitro
The competition in this sector is formidable and choosing the appropriate vehicle is very difficult. Given that quality is a given these days, and styling has become so similar, I still think the Dodge Nitro stands out from the crowd. There might be some question marks about its interior quality, but its bold looks and fantastic value for money win it my vote.

Neil Winton – November 20, 2007