Nissan X-trail

Endearing wagon with altitude refreshed

MEMORY can be a funny thing. Midway through driving Nissan’s largely cosmetic X-trail nip ’n’ tuck, the penny dropped as to why sales remain so solid. This is a good old-fashioned wagon on stilts, and many of us would make the connection with the Skylines, Bluebirds, 180Bs or 1600s we clambered into as kids. Perhaps the angular silhouette subconsciously reassures us of good times past.

Employing the 2.5-litre petrol engine from the original T30 of 2001 is a throwback too, especially against more muscular directinjection and/or turbo competitors like VW’S Tiguan.

Sure, there’s enough low-down torque for the driver to mercifully avoid exploring the upper reaches of the rev band via the whining artificially stepped CVT (as long as you’re not overtaking), but the lack of vitality and verve is a drag.

Speaking of which, this isn’t the subtlest of facelifts, though by way of contrast, the cabin’s more monochrome trim and newly double-stitched vinyl inserts elevate the ambience nicely.

Not much was needed actually, because the Nissan’s pleasingly equipped interior remains airy, spacious and comfortable, defined by plush seats, an elementary driving position, a lovely new wheel, attractive instrumentation, exceptionally clear switchgear, simple controls and no shortage of storage. Hate that foot-operated park brake, though.

Moving to the back, if only the Nissans and Datsuns of yesteryear boasted a sliding and reclining split/fold bench, rear air-con outlets and elevated views. The cargo area is comparatively vast, and includes a reversible hosedown floor, as well as a third-row option on ST FWD. Additional sound deadening also quietens things down a bit.

However, just as with the he petrol powertrains, there’s been no change to the steering, which is light and precise but could benefit from more feel and feedback, or to the strut front/multi-link rear suspension set-up. The latter varies from firmly controlled ( ST/ST-L on 225/65R17s) to busy and occasionally unsettled ( Ti/ TL on 225/55R19s).

Still, AEB debuts across the range yet prices remain steady or have fallen depending on variant, and all score extra kit including adaptive cruise and an electric tailgate on Ti/ TL.

And the diesel, delayed until September, grows to a promising 130kw/380nm 2.0-litre with standard auto and AWD.

The upshot? As a family runabout the latest X-trail ticks all the required boxes to stay near the top of the medium SUV class. Nissan’s able form with wagons does go way back, after all.