Nissan X-TRAIL

AT FIRST GLANCE  this X-Trail with its wide frame and bejewelled rear lights looks so different, it could easily pass for yet another fancy new Far-Eastern creation. That’s until a number of Nissan mainstays, such as the V-shaped solid bars in the grille, catch your eye although new X-Trail’s fussy styling, softer curves and generic detailing hint at an abandoning of its utilitarian roots. Nissan’s all-new X-Trail follows the global vehicle model now de rigueur amongst the world’s car makers the ehicle seen on our streets is sold in 190 countries which perhaps goes some way to explaining the somewhat generic look. Elaborate styling aside, there’s quite a lot to enjoy about the new X-Trail.

It rides on the Renault Nissan Alliance’s Common Module Family platform that also underpins the new Qashqai recently launched in South Africa and, compared with its predecessor, is up to 90kg lighter, thanks to the use of lightweight and thinner materials. X-Trail’s wheelbase grows from 2.6m to just over 2.7m, and its overall length is now 4 640mm to facilitate a more spacious cabin where the wraparound dash does a good job of adding to the feeling of extra space for front occupants. For those who need additional seats, the base XE models and the 2. 5-litre petrol 4WD can be ordered in the optional seven-seat configuration where Nissan’s one-touch EZ Flex seating system sees the second row of seats fold forward or slide and adjust when added legroom or a more reclined
seat position is needed. The instrument binnacle contains a five-inch display, first seen on new Qashqai too, to relay important information and a healthy serving of glossy black accents, splattered across the centre console and dash, ups the modernity quota.

Driving the X-Trail is a pleasant experience since this is an SUV that truly offers car-like levels of refinement on most roads, whether Tarmac or heavily corrugated gravel. The car maker’s flash new Chassis Control system is also standard, incorporating Active Ride Control, Active Trace Control and, on models fitted with the new Xtronic CVT, Active Engine Brake and goes some way towards regulating that impressive ride quality. Active Ride Control monitors the road surface to detect bumps that could affect the pitch of the vehicle’s body and adjusts the dampers to compensate for this. As a result, the ride is pillowy soft and cossetting. Active Trace Control monitors speed, steering angle and throttle position via on-board sensors to individually brake specific wheels and reduce understeer.

The new X-Trail is available in XE, SE and LE trim grades and with three engine options a range topping 1.6 litre turbo diesel and two petrol options carried across from the previous version. An all-new diesel engine also stars in the Qashqai line up and replaces the previous two litre turbodiesel. The naturally aspirated 2. 5-litre petrol is only available with CVT and four wheel drive.

It develops 126 kW at 6000 rpm and peak torque of 233 Nm at 4000 rpm. Conversely, the 106 kW/200 Nm 2.0-litre petrol provides an entry point to the new X-Trail range allied to a six-speed manual transmission. Nissan’s three-mode All-mode 4x4-i (for ‘intelligent’) is operated by a dial on the centre console and continues as standard on the new X-Trail.

Of the models driven, the turbodiesel was probably the most engaging once we overcame the cantankerous clutch operation and kept the revs chugging along above 2000rpm. The 2. 5 litre was rolled out for a quick trundle over a 4x4 course mainly to try out Nissan’s hill descent control feature for the 4x4 system and gauge the axle articulation with 4WD Lock engaged where its unchanged 209mm ride height, and approach and departure angles of 17 and 25 degrees, respectively, saw it saunter through the course. The 2.0-litre’s performance wasn’ t breathtaking but it was capable and relaxed. We might have our misgivings about the styling, but it’s the X-Trail’s overall comfort, refinement and ease of use that will more than make up for those ‘shortcomings’.

NISSAN X-TRAIL  

1.6DCI LE 4WD
ENGINE 1 598cc, 16v 4cyl, 96kW @ 4 000rpm,  320Nm @ 1 750rpm
TRANSMISSION 6-speed manual, four-wheel drive
SUSPENSION MacPherson strut front, multi-link rear
LENGTH/WIDTH/HEIGHT 4 640/1 820/1 710mm
PERFORMANCE 11sec 0-100kph, 188kph, 5.3ℓ/100km, 139g/km
WEIGHT 1 580kg
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