PULLING POWER
Crossover gets a bigger engine to appease tow-car fans. Matt Allan finds out how it measures up
Whe ni first drove the latest generation X-trail and mentioned its downsized 1.6-litre diesel engine a neighbour of mine made various doubtful noises about its capability.
As an owner of an older 2.0-litre model and an avid caravanist (I think that’s a word) he was interested in the new model but the idea of a smaller engine with less torque was enough to put him off.
In response to the many thousands like him who want to be able to tow heavy things, Nissan have added a larger, more potent diesel to the car’s line-up and it’s that new unit that we’re testing here.
The 2.0-litre engine offers a big jump in power over the 1.6 – 175bhp against 128bhp – but more importantly also ups the peak torque from 236lb/ ft to 280lb/ft. That takes it beyond what my neighbour’s old model could manage. It also means this version of the X-trail shouldn’t struggle to haul caravans, trailers or whatever else drivers need to tow.
Behind the wheel and without anything hitched to the back, the extra grunt is noticeable. In three months of running an X-trail with the smaller diesel it always felt adequate but with the 2.0-litre it now moves with added urgency and cruises at motorway speeds with ease.
Our test car’s performance gains were somewhat marred by the addition of the Xtronic CVT gearbox. Also new to the range, it is far from the worst example of its sort and will be a welcome option for owners who do a lot of towing but for day-to-day driving I still prefer the manual six-speed. Thankfully that’s still available with the larger engine.
The power gains and extra towing ability offered by the 2.0-litre are exactly what some buyers have been looking for but they come at a price. Compared with the 1.6, the 2.0-litre unit is a gruff, noisy affair. It calms down at a steady cruise but under any kind of acceleration there’s plenty of diesel clatter and, strangely, induction noise. It’s not unbearable but compared with rivals it feels and sounds unrefined.
Away from the the new oily bits the X-trail remains a fantastic option for families looking for a large SUV.
The cabin is spacious and airy, helped by the panoramic sunroof that’s standard on all but the most basic models. There’s plenty of space for five to get comfortable and our test car also featured the seven-seat option, which is handy for occasional, if not everyday, use.
The top-of-the-range Tekna model we tested added to that with a huge list of safety and convenience kit, including intelligent emergency braking; lane departure intervention; traffic sign recognition; intelligent blind spotintervention; leather upholstery; a powered tailgate and the excellent A round view 360-degree camera system, which makes parking a doddle.
It also came with a seveninch Nissanconnect nav and media system. The touchscreen may be smaller than in some rivals and has quite a lot of buttons but it is blessedly simple to use. All the functions you actually need while driving are quickly and easily accessible, minimising potential distraction.
Realistically, the 1.6-litre diesel version of the X-trail is probably perfectly suitable for most families with its lower price and running costs. However, this new larger engine and auto gearbox means that those who need the extra towing ability can now enjoy the X-trail’s many charms without sacrificing ability.