How practical seven-seat used SUV can be yours for £12k

FROM £12,000000 Mk3 SUV is smart and well equipped, and offers option of seven seats

NISSAN has a long history of making rugged SUVS; its Patrol was introduced way back in 1951.951. Over the years the company has produced a raft of other 4x4s, including the original X-trail, which arrived in thehe UK in 2000.

The first two generationss of X-trail were surprisingly capable off road, and offered reliable family transport at keen prices, even thoughugh the exterior design was uninspiring. iring.

But with the Mk3, unveileded in 2013, Nissan brought the design right up to date. This sleeker and muchh more stylish SUV packed lots of hi-tech features. It also offered the option of seven seats, which is whyy there’s no second-generation Qashqaihqai +2. So how does the X-trail Mk3 stackack up?

History

THE third-generation X-trail arrived rrived in July 2014, codenamed T32;; its predecessors were the T30 andnd T31. Only a 130bhp 1.6 dci diesel engine was offered, with front or part-time four-fourwheel drive; the former was available available with a six-speed manual or a CVTVT auto.

A 1.6 DIG-T turbocharged petrol trol engine appeared in January 2016, in 2WD manual form only, then in January 2017 a 175bhp 2.0-litre diesel was introduced, rated at 175bhp and d offered with a manual gearbox (4WD only) or CVT (2WD or 4WD). WD).

July 2017’s facelift brought a revised nose, better refinement and a higher-higherquality interior, plus LED rear lights,ights, new wheel designs and DAB as standard ard across the range. There was also new standard and optional safety tech.

Which one?

THE 1.6 DIG-T feels sluggish while the 1.6 dci is noisy and short on torque, leaving the 2.0 dci as the best option, especially if towing, but prices are high.

Entry-level Visia spec gets 17-inch alloys, cruise control, air-con, hill start assist and all-round electric windows. It also has a spare wheel, plus electrically heated and adjustable door mirrors.

Acenta trim adds privacy glass, power-folding door mirrors, dual-zone climate control, automatic lights and wipers, parking sensors front and rear plus an electrically operated sunroof.

n-tec has 19-inch alloys, a powered tailgate, DAB radio, a bird’s-eye parking camera, AEB and a suite of other safety aids. The top-spec Tekna features LED headlights, heated leather seats, blind spot warning and automatic parking.

Alternatives

TWO of the most talented seven-seat SUVS that compete with the X-trail are

the Hyundai Santa Fe and its Kia Sorento cousin. Both are bigger, come with long warranties, lots of kit and keen prices; they tend to be reliable, too. Another alternative is the Mitsubishi Outlander, which (unusually) is available in plugin hybrid form or as a regular diesel.

Noticeably more upmarket – and pricey – is the Volkswagen Tiguan. Older models come with five seats only, like the (more costly) Audi Q5 and BMW X3.

Verdict

THE X-trail sits in a crowded market, especially if five seats are enough for your needs. But even if you need space for seven, there are many accomplished choices and it doesn’t really stand out.

Still, the Nissan isn’t a poor buy; it looks smart, is well equipped and has a roomy cabin, but there are alternatives that offer these things and feel more special to drive and more solidly built, and are just as affordable. So while we wouldn’t steer you away from an X-trail at the right price, we’d urge you to look at a few rivals before taking the plunge.