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First drive review: Nissan X-Trail

Image of Neil Thomason
Author: | Updated: 11 Jan 2017 14:06

If you want to off-road or tow in comfort and style, the Nissan X-Trail is a cracking choice. For everybody else, the cheaper, smaller option will do just fine too.

If you’re looking at the pictures of this new X-Trail model and wondering what’s been changed, you could be here for some time. While it’s seemingly trendy to make the most minor of changes to a car and call it a facelift, Nissan hasn’t even done that, and for good reason - this isn’t really a facelift.

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The X-Trail has been an important car for Nissan in Europe, with the seven-seater SUV selling in six figures since its launch in 2014. However, there’s always been a limit to its popularity thanks to a perceived lack of engine options and until now there’s been just one diesel engine, a smooth but underpowered 1.6-litre model that produces just 128bhp.

Customers have been asking for more and, in the absence of an alternative have then been moving towards rival manufacturers. With the arrival of the Skoda Kodiaq and new Volkswagen Tiguan, the competition has got even hotter, and this has proved to be the kick up the bum Nissan needed.

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A significant change to towing capacities [means] the Nissan can drag two tonnes of trailer behind it.

The new Nissan X-Trail comes with a 2.0-litre diesel unit under the bonnet, delivering an increase in power of almost 40%. The 175bhp unit also produces peak torque of 380Nm, the highest ever seen in an X-Trail although that’s still a little behind Skoda’s offering. The new engine is partnered with a combination of drivetrains, with both front- and four-wheel drive options, and a manual or CVT automatic gearbox to choose from.

Adding a bigger engine to an already large car has an effect on economy and emissions, but it’s not as marked as might be expected. Officially the X-Trail 2.0d will manage 46.3mpg in the 4x4 automatic version tested here, which compares pretty favourably with the 52.3mpg promised from the manual 1.6-litre. CO2 emissions rise from 143g/km to 162g/km, which will make for a significant rise in car tax for those who register after April when the bill rises from £40 per year to £185.

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Surprisingly, performance hasn’t been improved by much with the maximum speed attainable rising by just 6mph to 122mph. A second has been knocked off the 0-62mph sprint, taking it down to 10 seconds. It has however made a significant change to towing capacities, with the extra heft allowing the Nissan to drag two tonnes of trailer behind it – and let’s face it, you’re more likely to be doing that than racing down the M6 at top speed.

Head off the comfort of tarmac and the X-Trail’s off-road credentials come into play.

What these figures don’t get across though is how flexible the engine is, and how that translates to a far more linear driving experience. As long as there’s more than minimal revs, then there are reserves of torque that make swift progress easy. The extra 0.4-litres of engine doesn’t make a huge difference to headline figures, but they do transform the driveability of the car.

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The handling remains as inert but composed as ever. Despite the bulk of the X-Trail, it’s reasonably agile while the soft suspension keeps things comfortable. There’s little wind or road noise to upset the calm either.

Once everything is folded flat then nearly 2,000 litres of storage becomes available

Head off the comfort of tarmac and the X-Trail’s off-road credentials come into play. Spending a day playing in the dusty environment of a quarry proved it’ll tackle anything UK drivers are ever likely to throw at it, but winter months may well be better tackled with the cheaper front-wheel drive model and with a set of winter tyres – you’ll save money and get 90% of the way that the 4x4 will manage.

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It’s a shame that the interior isn’t quite as accomplished as the rest of the car, although it is very well equipped. The quality levels aren’t quite on a par with its rivals, especially not the more premium brands, but there’s a pleasant enough ambience.

There’s plenty of room too, with excellent amounts of shoulder, leg and headroom for the front and second row of seats. The optional rearmost seats are a tad compromised, but they’ll be fine for kids on a relatively short journey. The boot is also a tad tight, especially in seven seat form, but once everything is folded flat then nearly 2,000 litres of storage becomes available.

The question though is whether a more powerful engine is worth an extra £1,250 over an equivalent 1.6-litre diesel. If you’re ever likely to tow anything or venture off-road then there’s no doubt it’s of value, but in everyday driving you’re not likely to notice a great deal of difference.

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Nissan thinks that some 25% of X-Trail buyers will go for the new engine option. If they’re the 25% that tow things or take to the trails then they’ll be making a cracking choice. However, at more than £35,000 for this Tekna spec, it’s wise to watch the options list - it’s perilously close to the £40,000 tax break that comes into force in April that could see the car tax bill rise from £185 a year to £450, with a first-year charge of £500.

For everybody else, the cheaper, smaller option will do just fine.

Model Tested: Nissan X-Trail Tekna dCi 177 4WD Xtronic

Price: £35,325
Top speed: 122mph
0-62mph: 10secs
Official fuel economy: 46.3mpg
CO2 emissions: 162g/km
Car tax band: G / £185
Insurance group: 22E
Engine: 1995cc
Luggage space: 550 litres
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