X-Trail is very different now

Test Report by Graham Breeze

The Nissan X-Trail was the world’s biggest selling SUV in 2017 but the test car that arrived on my drive was a million miles away from the previous model I had driven.

Dynamic new styling and a complete technology makeover mean the X-Trail is no longer the beefy workhorse I had expected to see, but instead a bigger version of the all-conquering Qashqai.

The X-Trail is now a large five-seat family SUV, with an option to upgrade to seven, and competes head-to-head with Skoda Kodiaq and Kia Sorento for UK sales.

I never regarded the X-Trail as a real player in the off-road sector so it’s no surprise that the suits at Nissan have gone down the road of attracting the more family-friendly motorist with this reincarnation. It’s a fiercely competitive sector but you just get the feeling there’s room for this addition.

There’s a choice of 1.6 and 2.0 litre dCi diesel engines and a single 1.6 litre DIG-T petrol version. The diesel offers two or four-wheel options while it’s just two-wheel drive for petrol. We tested the dCi 130 4WD, which is likely to attract a lot of UK buyers.

With a top speed of 116mph and 0-62mph in 11 seconds the test car topped 50mpg on the combined cycle, gave out 143g/km of CO2 emissions and dropped into insurance group 18.

Comfort levels have taken a big leaf from Qashqai handbook. There’s electrically adjustable driver and front passenger seats, heated black leather seats to front and rear, metallic grain insets, a power opening panoramic roof with one-touch shade and a tilt and telescoping adjusting steering wheel.

Rear seats split 60/40 with nine combinations, and other standard items include, antidazzle driver mirror, automatic headlights, cruise control and speed limiter, air con, front and rear armrests, all-round electric windows, parking sensors, hands free power tailgate, high beam assist, park assist and rain-sensing wipers.

Outwardly the X-Trail is clearly influenced by Qashqai – it just looks bigger. The 19 inch alloys are impressive, as is the black honeycomb front grille and there are chrome door handles and window surrounds. X-Trail also gets, rear privacy glass, LED daytime running lights, satin roof rails and a shark fin antenna.

Higher levels of technology are immediately evident with Bluetooth, CD/Radio and an outstanding speaker system, DAB radio, an all-round monitor camera, 7inch touchscreen navigation and entertainment control system, AUX socket and USB port -  a big step-up for this model.

Safety and security plays a big part for Nissan and the X-Trail now gets adaptive front lighting, blind spot warning, chassis control, engine immobiliser, electronic parking brake, ESP,ABS, EBD and brake assist, stand still assist, intelligent forward emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, lane departure warning, ISOFIX child seat anchorage, rear cross traffic alert, child locks, six airbags, a spare wheel, alarm system, rear headrests, traffic signal recognition and tyre pressure monitoring.

And is all that isn’t enough to tempt you Nissan has announced a new Platinum Edition SV available on all N-Connecta models, introducing more style, dynamism and technology.

The Platinum Edition includes side styling plate, rear styling plate, chrome mirror caps, chrome trunk lower finisher and front over rider and a front styling plate, sport pedals with foot rest and stylish metallic black alloy wheels.

He X-Trail Tenka dCi 130 4WD on test would set you back £35,455 which includes £750 for the striking orange pearlescent paint job.

Nissan has demonstrated with this re-launch that there is a bigger market from those seeking comfort and technology than there is from those heading for the mud.