NISSAN X-TRAIL
Now officially the world’s best selling SUV
EXTREME weather in this country tends to prompt two things – discussions about why we are so terrible at coping with it and a marked increase in the number of prospective buyers of four-wheel drive vehicles turning up at car dealerships.
Many of those prospective buyers might be in the market for a Nissan X-Trail and who could blame then.
It is now officially the world’s best selling SUV, though the global hit that is the current X-Trail is the result of a Doctor Who-style transformation. Originally the X-Trail was a very traditional SUV, basic and boxy and in line with the sort of capable, rugged performer favoured by the trailer/horsebox towing set.
As part of Nissan’s determined SUV roll-out it was given a kind of Qashqai makeover and looks very like a larger Qashqai.
That has clearly proved to be a winning formula, so when it came to time for a mid-life refresh the Nissan designers sensibly decided not to meddle with it too much.
On the exterior there’s new lights and bumpers, along with some flourishes of chrome and gloss black.
The X-Trail has also grown a little bit, being 50mm longer than before.
Probably the biggest interior change is a flat bottomed steering wheel with a thicker rim.
It might sound superficial and cosmetic but it looks and feels rather good and allows a clearer view of the instrumentation.
Other changes include some extra boot space for five-seat models (up 15 litres to 565 litres).
The X-Trail is of course available in two forms – five-seat or seven-seat guise. Going for seven seats will add £1,000 to the cost but if you are going for this range-topping Tekna model it’s slightly less (£660).
Like many small and mid-sized SUVs buyers also have another choice as to whether to go for twowheel or four-wheel drive.
This was a range-topping Tekna 2.0-litre diesel with four-wheel drive and I was glad of it in the recent cold snap, where the X-Trail proved a consummate and capable performer and coped with the worst the Beast from the East could throw at it with reassuring ease.
To my mind it actually felt better than a larger off-roader, feeling light, agile and sure-footed at all times.
The 2.0-litre diesel is a decent unit that combines refinement, potency and economy well, though the smaller 1.6-litre diesel available is also perfectly good.
As part of the 2017 refresh all X-Trails now come with DAB radio as standard and the range starts at £24,845 for a Visia trim manual model with front-wheel drive, powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine.
Sitting between the Visia and Tekna models are N-Connecta and Acenta trim options.
Aside from its snow and ice capabilities the X-Trail also offers a good drive on the road in everyday weather conditions.
It’s characterised by the customary commanding driving position and is a very versatile family-friendly all-rounder.