SLIDESHOW: See a gallery of Nissan X-Trail pictures and read Alan Candy's road test
Make tracks for the popular mud-plugger
Nissan's 4x4 model with the X factor is now even bigger and better. The X-Trail, one of my favourite mud-plugging SUVs, has built on the strength of its predecessors to give any even better account of itself and appeal to a wider range of customers in this class.
Nissan didn't want to throw away the baby with the bath water in creating an updated X-Trail. Not when so many X-Trail customers were already happy bunnies.
So the message here has been evolution rather than revolution for a car-like 4x4 that does better than most off road and attracted a whole range of admirers for its main family functions on tarmac.
So although every body panel is new, Nissan has retained the "X-Trailness" that makes it instantly recognisable, while building in a whole raft of improvements.
Yes, it's still an X-Trail, but it features a new chassis and body, an expanded range of more powerful engines providing better performance and economy, more equipment, enhanced comfort and greater interior space.
New X-Trail is slightly larger than before - its wheelbase has increased by 5mm to 2,630mm, while overall length has risen by 175mm to 4,630mm. Much of this extra length can be found in the luggage area, which has increased dramatically in size.
Best of all, re-routing the exhaust silencer has allowed the creation of an innovative double deck luggage area, with space for a sliding drawer under the floor where valuable items can be stored away from prying eyes.
And Nissan makes a brilliantly simple, if blindingly obvious, move by building a rear load deck that's completely carpet-free. Customer research showed that many owners either carried dogs or outdoor sports equipment in the rear of their X-Trail and preferred a wipe-clean surface.
So no more hours trying vainly to brush out hair, mud and straw stuck to annoyingly clingy carpet fibres – you just open the rear down and wipe it all clean, or just take a broom to it and sweep it out. If you're using the X-Trail as a serious leisure vehicle, it all makes perfect sense.
If you are heading for a muddy track or field in the X-Trail, All X-Trails are equipped with Nissan's All-Mode 4x4 system which operates in two-wheel drive only to minimise fuel consumption and transfers into four-wheel drive mode as and when the vehicle detects it is needed, or manually selected by the driver.
Sport and Aventura models, however, get the very latest intelligent edition known as All-Mode 4x4-i incorporating Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Uphill Start Support (USS) and Downhill Drive Support (DDS).
And a decent amount of ground clearance means that X-Trail can lift its skirts and get stuck into the rough stuff without taking half the field with it or losing some vital belly parts at the same time.
The compact X-Trail Sport model I tested has imposing looks and plenty of user-friendly interior touches, such as tactile, soft-touch fabrics on dashboard and doors and big glazed areas, so that panoramic vision is exceptionally good.
On the move, there was a quiet and relaxing diesel hum from the test car and the X-Trail pulls well from low down – it's laid back but can kick up a storm when roused, with a fast-action, short-shifting six-speed gearbox to stir up the fun.
For a decent-sized 4x4, the X-Trail is remarkable car-like and agile, with a decent turning circle, excellent rear vision and solid but subtle brakes. The ride is supple and comfortable and it corners surprisingly well.
From the driver's point of view, the upright, space-saving dash is simply laid out and user-friendly and one bonus is that you can actually see all of the bonnet, unlike many cars nowadays.
With brilliant space-making at the back, a completely level load platform and plenty of versatility all round, the X-Trail has upped its game impressively and remains one of the few 4x4s I would actually like to own.
Fast facts:
Nissan X-Trail, from 19,245.
Longer, taller and wider than before.
Robust stance with strong shoulders.
Good ground clearance and short overhangs for off-road use.
Practical squared body shape .
Deep rear door with low loading sill.
New range of colours.
Bigger all round than its predecessor. At 4,630mm, it is longer by 175mm, while its wheelbase has increased by 5mm to 2,630mm. It is also slightly taller – up 10mm to 1,685mm – and at 1,785 mm is exactly 20mm wider than before.
Despite the increase in overall dimensions, however, it remains an off-road vehicle with a generous 200mm ground clearance and short overhangs front and rear.
A new colour palette provides eight shades, three of which are new to X-Trail and a further three new to Nissan.
Enhanced interior quality and refinement.
Clearer controls and instrumentation.
Greater comfort for all.
Best-in-class luggage area.
Innovative double deck trunk floor.
Clever sliding drawer storage.
Latest 4x4-i intelligent four-wheel drive system.
Advanced hill start and descent controls.
Four engines – three all new to X-Trail.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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