Nissan X-TRAIL

Nissan's X-Trail is selling well to more adventurous families and has been much improved in this facelifted form. The experts at Car & Driving look at what's on offer.

Ten Second Review

The X-Trail is a big deal for Nissan, the brand's best-selling model worldwide. Here, we're looking at a smartly updated version of the third generation model which continues to offer space for up to seven, a high quality interior and some seriously smart technology under the skin. This now includes Nissan's clever ProPILOT safety system which introduces semi-autonomous driving capability to this SUV for the first time.

Background

The Nissan X-Trail story to date is a bit of an unusual three-parter. The first model appeared in 2001 and was sold as a 'lifestyle' SUV. Or rather it would have been if we Brits had bought any. Instead we rather blanked this excellent car in favour of Land Rover Freelanders, Honda CR-Vs and Toyota RAV4s. Undeterred, Nissan tried again, with an all-new car in 2007. Now the tack had slightly changed. The X-Trail looked much the same, but it was now marketed as a more serious 4x4, with proper off-road ability. Although the quality inside had improved markedly, it still never caught the public's imagination quite like its little brother, the Qashqai. The X-Trail got a wash and wipe in 2010 but it was just to tide customers over ahead of what we see here.

The current X-Trail was launched in 2014 and ditched the Bear Grylls image, instead taking inspiration from Nissan's market-leading crossovers - the Qashqai and the Juke. It's this design that Nissan updated in mid-2017 to create the car we're looking at here.

Driving Experience

Under the bonnet, not too much has changed. So the core engine is Nissan's powerful but frugal 1.6-litre dCi 130 diesel, optionally mated to an XTronic CVT gearbox. This unit delivers plenty of pulling power (320Nm of torque) and is decently refined, so should be at home on or off the beaten track. Alternatively, buyers can opt for a pokier 177PS 2.0-litre dCi unit. Or, for petrol people, there's the option of a DIG-T 163PS green-pump-fuelled 1.6-litre powerplant.

Although the X-Trail appears to have become a bit more lifestyle oriented, this is Nissan we're talking of here; manufacturers of some of the cleverest all-wheel drive systems around. They just can't help themselves. Yes, you can buy a front-wheel drive X-Trail and it'll probably make sense for quite a few buyers but the four wheel drive chassis is extremely clever. The electronic four-wheel drive system, ALL MODE 4x4i, is controlled via a rotary switch on the centre console. It offers a choice between two-wheel drive, Auto mode or Lock offering permanent four-wheel drive. So far, so conventional.

Design and Build

This Nissan has always been noted for its sculpted and muscular styling, with chiselled lines, high wheel arches and rather elegant curves on the bonnet. All of those characteristics remain, and are now complemented by as more distinctive redesign of the front end that showcases the brand's 'V-motion' grille, flanked by re-styled headlamps that feature full-LED beams on upper-spec models. At the rear, the bumper has been re-styled with extra chrome detailing, plus there are also chrome side mouldings on the doors.

Otherwise, things are much as before, which means there's still the option of third row seating if you want it: most X-Trail customers do. Practical touches include rear side doors that open to almost 80 degrees - far wider than normal - to allow not just easy access but also to ease the loading and unloading of a child seat. The middle row seats recline and slide while, where fitted, the third row folds forward to increase luggage space. Helpful touches include, for example, a large between-the-seats console box. The box itself is large enough to take an iPad or 10-inch tablet

Market and Model

As before, prices sit in the £23,000 to £36,000 bracket and there's the option of two or four-wheel drive, five or seven seats and manual or XTronic automatic transmission. As ever, the familiar trim grades are Visia, Acenta, n-tec and Tekna. All trim levels feature air-conditioning, alloy wheels and six airbags, LED daytime running lights, five-inch colour combimeter display, Bluetooth with microphone, cruise control and speed limiter. Hill start assist, follow me home lights and a luggage board system are also among the features fitted as standard.

Camera-driven safety technology has taken a step forward with Nissan's 'ProPILOT' package. This combines three systems - Lane Keep Assist (LKA), Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) and Traffic Jam Pilot (TJP). It's supposed to be the first stage on the brand's journey to autonomous driving, giving drivers more freedom by allowing them to automate the mundane elements of their motoring life.

Cost of Ownership

The core dCi 130 unit is a reasonably efficient choice. Offered with the option of two or four-wheel-drive, two-wheel drive models enjoy CO2 emissions of 129g/km in manual form, while versions equipped with Nissan's advanced XTronic automatic gearbox emit 135g/km. All-wheel drive diesel models equipped with Nissan's ALL MODE 4x4-i transmission emit 139g/km. For the 2.0-litre dCi engine, the figures are 50.5mpg and 149g/km with manual or auto transmission. Go for the auto version with 4WD and the readings fall to 47.1mpg and 158g/km. Finally, if you go for the DIG-T 163PS petrol model, the figures are 45.6mpg and 145g/km of CO2.

Numerous features have been introduced to counteract the increase in size of this generation model. For example, the tailgate is constructed largely of plastic. Aero-friendly door mirrors and an underfloor spoiler that covers the exhaust and rear panel also play their part in making this X-Trail very efficient.

Summary

Overall, this revised third generation X-Trail offers much more than its predecessors ever could. Class-leading levels of space and efficiency, more appealing looks, plenty of hi-tech and, crucially, the option of seven seats for those wanting it. That last feature gives this car something most compact lifestyle soft roaders can't offer - and those that can tend to be more expensive and pricier to run. Perhaps most importantly, there's an element of desirability in this improved MK3 model X-Trail that was missing from its predecessors. All of which might indeed mean that if you're looking for a car of this kind, 'X' may very well mark the spot.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Nissan X-TRAIL range

PRICES: £23,000-£32,000 [est]

INSURANCE GROUPS: 32-25 [est]

CO2 EMISSIONS: 129-158g/km

PERFORMANCE: tba

FUEL CONSUMPTION: 50.4 mpg [est]

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver, Passenger, Side & Curtain airbags, ABS, EBD, electronic stability control

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 4700/1800/1750mm [est]