Latest SUV stays on the trail to success

the road, this comprehensive upgrade has seen enhancements which focus on fresh exterior design, greater cabin refinement, more practicality for owners and innovative new technology.

The 2017 version has a new front end and lights layout with ‘boomerang’ signature daytime running lights and external plastic panels now in gloss black plus there are several new colours to choose from. Inside there are a raft of upgrades including a thicker ‘D’ shaped steering wheel, heated seats front and back in five seat versions, higher quality materials and a hands-free power tailgate.

So what is the latest X-Trail like to live with? Well very civilised on road and very competent off.

As well as using the seven seat (a worthwhile £660 option) Nissan for the daily A-roads and motorway commute - where it proved comfortable and quiet - I managed a bit of fun in the rough stuff and with its off road driving aids (including intelligent engine braking, ride and chassis control) plus Nissan’s excellent four wheel drive system the X-Trail showed it has lost none of that go anywhere ability.

Our test version had the range topping Tenka trim, which gives a raft of equipment for the £38,155 on the road price including 360-degree camera system, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, hill start assist, parking sensors all round, power driver’s seat, panoramic opening glass roof, touchscreen DAB radio and sat nav, 19” alloys, rear privacy glass and even a heated steering wheel.

But the biggest change is that 2-litre, 128bhp diesel engine joining the existing 1.6-litre petrol and diesel units in the range. Many drivers would expect a larger engine in such a big SUV and now they have got it, although it only reaches 62 just over a second faster than the 1.6 dCi.

However, the greatest difference is that extra overtaking punch and added flexibility making the 2-litre feel less strained than the 1.6. Another big plus is the bigger engine raises the towing capacity by 150kg, hitting the magic two-tonne mark.

Fuel efficiency figures don’t suffer much as Nissan claim our switchable 2/4WD auto still returns a shade over 46mpg overall - which does not seem over optimistic as I returned over 40mpg during a week of normal motoring.

So have Nissan done enough to keep ahead of the chasing SUV pack? I would say yes and expect to see lots of X-Trails on our roads for years to come.

More information at www. nissan.co.uk