Nissan X-TRAIL 2.2 dCi RANGE
Nissans X-Trail 2.2 dCi Is An Alternative You Cant Ignore If Youre After A Diesel-Powered Compact 4x4. Jonathan Crouch Reports
When Nissans X-Trail compact 4x4 was first introduced, it would have been fairest to say that the diesel version was not the one to choose. It wasnt particularly fast, nor was it especially refined, both important drawbacks in such a tightly-fought market sector. Fortunately for the many buyers who appreciate this cars innovative design, this issue has been put right since the introduction of a potent 136bhp dCi diesel unit to the latest revised line-up.
With this engine, power output has risen by 19% from 114 to 136bhp, taking this version to the top of its class. Torque or pulling power goes up by 16.3% yet fuel consumption stays at 39.2 mpg and CO2 emissions at 190 g/km.
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As youd expect, this makes the X-Trail dCi rather faster than the original diesel version with 2.2 seconds slashed off the 0-62 mph acceleration time bringing it down to 11.5 seconds. And theres another 10 mph added to the top speed.
Nissan has also taken the opportunity to improve the gearchange to make it cleaner shifting. And those refinement issues? Theyve been addressed too. Existing X-Trail-ers will certainly notice a reduction in engine noise. Prices start at £17,745 for the single 2WD dCi version or from £19,245 for the SE, SVE, Sport and T-Spec 4WD dCi variants.
Recent detail improvements centre around the addition of extra equipment on the top of the range T-Spec model (improved satellite navigation, 17-inch alloys, privacy glass and Xenon headlamps). The Sport model gets the new 17-inch alloys while the SVE variant gets the privacy glass. Theres also a new colour (Baltic Blue) added to the palate. All this has been accompanied by a price increase of £300.
These changes build upon the improvements introduced during 2004 which saw 50mm shaved from the front of the car courtesy of a slimline new bumper. The front grille was also revised to give the nose a little more visual impact while round the back there were revised light clusters. Inside, there have been interior upgrades focusing on improving the look and feel of the cabin. The X-Trails signature design feature has always been the centre mounted instruments and this design has now been tweaked to house additional climate control switches and, where necessary, Nissans Birdview satellite navigation system.
The seats have been beefed up a little with added bolstering at the sides and under the thigh and the X-Trail now features upright can holders as opposed to the horizontal holders used in the original version.
"A class-leading part of what has become a well respected compact 4x4 line-up"
In some instances, Nissan went even further to keep customers happy. Take the luggage net which they wanted fitted to their X-Trail. Well, it is now. And rather than just coming up with a net that keeps loose bags of shopping from going AWOL around the luggage area, Nissan created a net that can be clipped any way around the customer wants.
It even turns itself into a dog guard. Without anybody asking, Nissan has changed the air conditioned can holders so that they are now vertically mounted by the windscreen pillars and added a chillable centre console box. Its easily big enough for a packed lunch, if not the dog. Equipment-wise, the diesel range starts with an SE derivative that includes side airbags as well as a CD player, an alarm, the cargo net, drivers
seat lumbar adjustment, and electronic climate control instead of a sunroof.
It also gets
smart seat upholstery as well as all the other interior improvements detailed above. At the top of the range, the T-Spec version has Nissans ESP+ system which combines electronic stability programme and traction control, a load bearing roof system with integrated Safari Lamps, and a Europe-wide DVD with BirdView satellite navigation system. All this for £1,700 more than the equivalent SVE with which the T-Spec shares its electrically adjustable and heated front seats with leather upholstery. The most popular version of the X-Trail has always been the Sport, a variant which features a leather-rimmed steering wheel with audio controls, front fog lamps, active head restraints, fully colour coded exterior, that cargo net and a centre floor mounted box with lid.
And thats in addition to the enormous electric glass sunroof, 6CD autochanger, alloys and roof spoiler its always had. A thoughtful addition is a door sill that opens with the door, thus alleviating the muddy trousers problem common to many 4x4s that see terrain tougher than a Tesco car park. Walking around with strides that look as if a terrier has fouled itself upon them rapidly undoes any residual credibility that stepping from a mud-spattered 4x4 accrues. Otherwise five doors and the longest wheelbase in the class are a good start and the styling isnt so wacky that itll date quicker than a HearSay CD single.
Road manners are pretty near the top of the compact SUV tree, certainly far better than average. Roll is well suppressed and wind noise is also agreeably muted, although the tyres make an infernal din on poorly surfaced motorways. Off the beaten track, the Nissan does surprisingly well, with power in the 4WD versions switching from the front wheels to all four when conditions decree, or else the driver can manually select 4wd via a dash-mounted button. When mudplugging, this car certainly seems capable of holding its own, although it lacks the fancy hill descent control of the
Land Rover.
Although most compact SUV buyers are unlikely to venture off-road, its good to know the Nissan at least has some trousers to back up that shiny mouth. The fly in the X-Trails ointment has to be the gearchange. The six-speed box fitted to the diesel versions is, despite its well-chosen ratios, pretty woeful. Be prepared to develop a left arm of splendid musculature and rehearse a plausible reason why.
All told, the Nissan X-Trail 2.2 dCi is a class-leading part of what has become a well respected compact 4x4 line-up. If youre buying a car in this sector, its an alternative you cant ignore.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Nissan X-Trail 2.2 dCi range
PRICES: £17,745-£24,245 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 10
CO2 EMISSIONS: 189-190g/km
PERFORMANCE: [4WD] 0-60mph 11.5s / Max Speed 113mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [4WD] (combined) 39.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver and Passenger airbag, ABS, EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: length/width/height 4510/1765/1750mm
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