Nissan’s X-Trail had a massive overhaul in 2014, bringing with it a more SUV-styled shape and a revamped interior design.
As it retains its four-wheel-drive credentials, the X-Trail is still pitted against everything from the Honda CR-V to the Jeep Cherokee.
We take it for a spin to see what it can do.
Can the X-trail really tackle models like the Kia Sportage? Watch our video review above to find out, or skip to bits of key information using the links below:
Engine Options and Running Costs (MPG): 1:14 A summary of the interior: 2:00 Passenger leg room: 2:59 Boot size: 3:21
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Content
16.5 -> The Nissan Juke, Qashqai and X-Trail make
up one of the most popular SUV trios around,
21.66 -> especially since the Qashqai started the crossover
craze back in 2007.
25.39 -> Some people may not even recognise the X-Trail
behind me, as its all-new design got rid of
30.359 -> the boxy look and made it look much more like
an SUV than a traditional 4x4. It does however
34.65 -> still offer off-road, 4x4 credentials. It’s
also available in five or seven seat configurations.
47.199 -> The great thing about today’s large SUVs
and 4x4s is that many of them don’t feel
51.109 -> as bulky as they look to drive. The X-Trail
however really does feel as big as it looks
56.16 -> – especially when you chuck it around a
few corners. Its rival, the Honda CR-V, is
59.73 -> a little better in this department.
The steering is very light in the X-Trail
64.97 -> as well, weighting up slightly at higher speeds.
It’s not great when it comes to engagement,
69.789 -> but the supple suspension means it is very
comfortable.
73.06 -> The engine line-up is incredibly simple, with
just one unit on offer, which is a 128bhp
79.83 -> 1.6-litre turbocharged diesel, but this comes
with either a six-speed manual or the Xtronic
84 -> automatic. We’ve got the six-speed manual
model with 4WD, which means a 0-62mph sprint
90.179 -> of 11 seconds, but this can be shaved to 10.5
seconds if you go for the 2WD version. The
96.099 -> diesel on the whole is nice and punchy, and
CO2 starts from 129g/km for the 2WD and 139
100.789 -> for the AWD model. MPG figures will realistically
range from around 45 to 55 across the line-up.
110.72 -> One thing I will say about the 4WD model is
that it’s only really going to come into
113 -> play in thick mud or on an incline and you
are unlikely to feel it kick in during day
117.399 -> to day driving.
A new bit of kit that really is handy is Nissan’s
122.08 -> around view monitor, which gives you a 360
degree birds-eye-view of the car when you
127.39 -> are reversing into a parking space.
Although the new X-Trail was only introduced
134.45 -> last year, some of the interior features already
seem a little dated, like the materials used
139.14 -> around the cabin and the infotainment screen,
particularly the sat-nav display. The likes
141.9 -> of the Hyundai Santa Fe looks more up-to-date.
But, let’s not forget, this is still a massive
144.73 -> improvement over the last X-Trail model, and
it definitely feels more car-like than it
148.01 -> ever has.
Every model in the range gets cruise control,
150.66 -> Bluetooth, air-conditioning and a five-inch
colour touchscreen. At the other end of the
154.75 -> spectrum is the Tekna trim that we have, and
this brings heated leather seats, electrically
158.75 -> adjustable driver’s seat and also Nissan’s
safety shield technologies, which has the
163.37 -> likes of moving object detection, alerting
the driver to any pedestrians or things like
167.69 -> stray footballs rolling in the vicinity of
the car.
169.48 -> Also, for those wanting sat-nav, you will
have to climb up to the mid-range Acenta +
177.25 -> trim.
In terms of practicality, the X-Trail really
182.9 -> does hit it out the park, with the colossal
space in the rear meaning passengers are going
186.85 -> to be extremely comfortable. Little things
like a fold down arm rest with cup holders,
193.43 -> reclining seats and wide opening doors really
give it a versatile, family-friendly element.
201.19 -> The boot is even more impressive
With 550 litres, you can haul a large amount
208.08 -> of camping gear or shopping. If you want to
be a bit more organised then you can make
213.97 -> it more like a wardrobe by moving the floor
panels around like so. If you want to carry
222.41 -> bikes or IKEA furniture, then the seats fold
down to give you a flat loading surface and
227.76 -> up to 1,982 litres of space.
Making the jump from outdated 4x4 to modern,
236.48 -> car-like SUV is a big task. But Nissan has
done a pretty good job of it. It may not be
241.4 -> up to scratch with some of its rivals, but
it is certainly moving in the right direction
244.849 -> – and it will be interesting to see what
the X-Trail’s first facelift will bring.
248.89 -> At £23,195, it is more expensive than the
Honda CR-V and Ford Kuga – but is much cheaper
254.45 -> than the Kia Sorento, so it’s certainly
not short of competition on the price comparison
258.13 -> front.
But what do you think of the X-Trail? Let
260.68 -> us know in the comments section below and
don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube
265.49 -> channel.
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