All-new X-Trail, despite appearances

What is it?

A very important model for Nissan, not least because it expects to sell around 10,000 a year in the UK. It might be an almost entirely new car, but Nissan has played it safe with the styling. That's perhaps no bad thing though, as the original was always a good-looking SUV inside and out. It's grown a bit in size to the benefit of interior space and Nissan has managed to retain its enjoyable driving characteristics - apparently what its customers asked for.

The original X-Trail was supposedly built specifically with the needs of snowboarders in mind (just how niche is that?), the large boot and its wipe-clean floor a useful legacy of this very specific design brief. Competition in this segment is far greater than it once was, the X-Trail's usual Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 competition joined by the Mitsubishi Outlander and its French sisters the Citroen C-Crosser and the ugly-duckling Peugeot 4007. Buyers of the Nissan are likely to appreciate its sensible pricing and comprehensive specification and of course its smart looks and car-like driving experience.

Is it any good?

It certainly is. Three engine choices with four different outputs are offered: 2.0- and 2.5-litre petrol units with 139 and 166bhp respectively and a 2.0-litre turbodiesel offering either 148bhp or 170bhp. All the engines offer decent performance, the lower output versions of each more than adequate enough to negate the need to opt for the bigger power derivatives. Indeed, the 2.0-litre petrol unit is a very sweet engine, which works unusually well in the X-Trail. Given it's the entry-level unit, that is fairly remarkable. However, 4x4s are typically bought with diesel engines and both options are good.

Overall it's the smoother power delivery of the 148bhp turbodiesel that's preferable and with so little between it and the 170bhp version when it comes to torque, (236lb.ft compared to 266lb.ft), it's unquestionably the choice of the two. The generously-equipped trim levels are easily understood with Trek, Sport and Adventura grades, and the four-wheel drive system is no more complicated to operate than turning a dial. Capable as it is in the muck though, it is on road where it impresses most, being just like a lofty estate car to drive rather than a cumbersome old-school off-roader. The interior feels solid, it looks good inside and out and is spacious and comfortable, too.

Should I call the bank manager?

If you do you can call him from the standard Bluetooth hands-free phone fitted to all X-Trails as standard. Every model also gets alloy wheels and climate control air conditioning as standard, meaning you won't need to borrow more money to tick the options boxes. Fuel economy is decent on all, but obviously if you're after the maximum possible then the diesels are the ones to go for with their near 40mpg official combined consumption figures. Quoted CO₂ emissions of 190g/km on the 148bhp turbodiesel is hardly the sort of planet-killing output that people assume such cars have, either. Don't bother going for the automatics though, as not only do they rincrease consumption, but they also rob the driver of the enjoyable shift from the standard six-speed manual.

Summary

It might look little different, but the changes Nissan has made have improved the X-Trail markedly. Still one of the best SUVs to drive on-road, and more than capable enough for most off it, the X-Trail remains an impressive all-rounder.

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