NISSAN X-TRAIL

With the look and feel of a premium SUV, the latest generation X-Trail heeds the demographic reality that families come in all shapes and sizes, as well as considering the geographic circumstances such as the sad state of our roads. BERNARD HELLBERG SR finds out exactly why the new Nissan X-Trail is set to have a significant impact on the crossover landscape.

Sales of almost 400 units in October 2017 bear witness to the on-going popularity of this stylish vehicle, which pioneered the crossover revolution.

TECHNOLOGY

With cars getting more sophisticated by the day, and with the march of technology in full swing, Nissan has wisely seen to it that its more advanced models take full advantage of these developments.

Features include blind spot intervention, which alerts the driver to the presence of vehicles diagonally behind their car, and intelligent lane intervention – regarded as an intrusive nuisance by some (depending on the methodology) – warns the driver when straying across lanes.

Increasing urban traffic density and limited parking space are dealt with by cross traffic alert, which warns of traffic from behind, while the relentless march towards autonomous driving now includes radar-based emergency braking. This system works hand-in-hand with forward collision warning, and the added advantages of automatic headlights, which respond to oncoming traffic at night.

The new X-Trail’s impressive hi-tech spec list is rounded off by the inclusion of an around view monitor system which