Nissan X-Trail

Author's Car rating:

Safety	Excellent
Comfort	Excellent
Road Handling	Excellent
Security	Excellent
Looks	Good

Advantages:	Style, advanced technology , well laid out interior design
Disadvantages:	supply and I can't afford one !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full car review

Nissan's X-Trail went on sale in October 2001 . It is an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) aimed at both the medium and small sized 4x4 sector known as "Compact 4x4". It is competing with established vehicles such as the Freelander, Honda CR-V and Toyota's Rav 4, it is in direct competition with Fords new Maverick and Jeep Cherokee and is proving to be a huge success for Nissan.

50 years experience of building 4x4's makes Nissan one of the longest established manufacturers. Nissan have cleverly combined 4x4 chunky looks and a level of passenger car comforts and performance to give an exiting and elegant vehicle with extreme on/off road capabilities. The general styling from the Terrano and Patrol have been adopted so that at-a-glance any one can see it is from the Nissan Range. It comes in three trim levels S, Sport and SE+, a choice of two engines either a two litre petrol or 2.2 turbo diesel. There is a choice of 5 speed manual transmission or 4 speed auto for the 2.0 petrol engine and 6 speed manual for the diesel version.

THE PETROL ENGINE is an all new for Nissan. It is a four cylinder twin cam 16 valve engine with continuously variable valve timing (CVTC) using fly-by-wire throttle technology linked to a hi-tec engine management system giving a smooth and good pick up at well below 2000rpm. It has twin balnce shafts positioned underneath the crankshaft to counteract engine vibrations and this all aluminium engine must be the quietest in this class producing 140HP @ 6000rpm and 192Nm of torque @ 4000rpm.

THE DIESEL ENGINE is an evolution of the recent twin-cam 16 valve Almera engine, combining DIRECT injection, COMMON-RAIL injection technology and intercooling to give a phenominal Torque figure of 270 Nm @2000rpm and max power of 114HP @4000rpm outclassing Rav 4 and Freelander performances and giving well over 45mpg on a run.

ALL MODE 4x4 is based around the Nissan Skyline GT-R system and uses very advanced electronics to give each wheel it's optimum drive in all conditions within an instant and the X-Trail is the first vehicle in its class to do so. Other vehicles use a system that pressurises and brings in drive to one axle when the other starts to slip, this is slow and actually takes several rotations of wheels slipping before activating by which time you could be buried in the mud. Nissan's electronic system is almost instantaneous and will activate within a few degrees of rotation. There are three modes of use.
2WD, for around town etc and for maximum fuel economy
AUTO, for use on variable road conditions automatically proportioning the optimum torque to each axle.
LOCK, for extreme off road conditions. Drive ratio is locked at 57:43 (F:R).

ABS, Nissan Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution is standard on all models and out brakes all of it's competitors by yards.

ESP+ option on SE+ petrol manual model (Electronic Stability Program) uses Traction Control to make the vehicle more stable if there is a situation requiring sudden manoevering. In an incedent it senses steering angle brake pressure, yaw-rate, lateral G and wheel speed, the sytem calculates how it can restore to optimum stability by altering brake pressure to individual wheels, mode of four wheel drive and engine output and does so accordingly. This system combats under and over steer on road and ensures max traction is apportioned off road.

SRS airbags are standard for all front passengers with side airbags on Sport and SE+ models.

Cosmetics and Practicallity
It has pedestrian friendly soft plastic wings that are light, will not dent at low impact speeds and inexpensive to repair.
It has an enormous sunroof or "Skyroof", tilt and slide one touch operation and ultra-violet reducing glass.
I was a little unsure at first about the centre "Mini" style mid mounted insrument cluster but this rapidly grows on you. You will find it easier for your eyes to re-focus when switching from road to speedometer and back.
The interior design appears minimalistic but has many well designed and hidden small features including drinks holders drinks can cooler integrated into the air-conditioning system, this can be used as a warmer too with the heating on. There is a 12V power socket inside the drivers dash mounted glove box ideal for phone charging keeping you phone out of sight. It has a high spec 6 speaker stereo system and automatic climate control system. It still manages to give the driver a high seating position to give a real 4x4 feel.
The luggage area is well designed with the sporting and familly person in mind. The rear seats fold down completely flat with removable panels made from a hard wearing composit material that can be hosed down giving flexibily for accommodating a mountain bike or perhaps the familly dog. A drop down panel opens in the centre of the rear seats allowing ski's or snow boards etc to be stored whilst still being able to use the rear seats.

I have driven all variants of this vehicle on the road but unfortunately not off and find it a very appealing vehicle. From cold when you first drive the X-Trail you may wonder what all the fuss is about, the accelaration is not at first exhilarating, but once warmed up on both petrol and diesel versions the performance is noticeable soon catipulting you to over 100mph. The handling is absolutely superb and it feels almost as though it is on rails. Once I got used to the handling I put it through it's paces and tried a 90 degree turn at about 40mph....it didn't flinch. I felt that even if I had left the road I would have just carried on safely. There is a certain harshness felt through the vehicle when in 4wd but certainly less than your average Landrover! This really does make it feel like a refined big 4x4. The comfort is above average with the seats moulding around your body nicely and it feels as though the seat is gripping you when fling it into a stiff bend. The steering is excellent with no signs of oversteer or understeer and staying far from boring. You can't play with the rear end as you can with a rear wheel drive vehicle or most 4x4's but you can corner so fast which in itself is total exhillaration.

I recently hired a Toyota Rav 4 for a week and found there to be no comparison, Nissan are light years ahead with this vehicle. The diesel version for me was favourite as there are bags of power combined with a six speed gearbox. A real fun vehicle.

Prices vary from around £17,000 to £21,000 but as this vehicle is such a success supply is a little slow so if you want one don't take too long making up your mind.....about as long as a test drive takes should be enough!

Verdict...I want one!