X-Factor Nissan

Back in the days when Nissan’s X-Trail was riding the crest of a boom in this area of the market, the rugged appearance and go-anywhere capability of these downsized SUVs were highly prized.

Nowadays, manufacturers are keeping a little quieter about the potential their products have for rock-hopping and swamp-wading, preferring to promote efficiency and on-road composure.

It is a trend that has fuelled the rise of the crossover 4x4, a less imposing, more cultured brand of SUV.

Nissan has its crossovers in the form of the Qashqai and Juke, but the X-Trail retains at least some of its rough ’n’ ready style.

Like many of the leading lights in the compact 4x4 sector, the X-Trail campaigns with a diesel-only engine range these days.

The mid-range muscle and fuel efficiency of a good oil-burning unit just makes more sense in this kind of vehicle.

The choice is limited to a pair of 2.0 dCi common-rail diesels with either 148 or 171 b.h.p.

The more powerful engine can scoot the substantial X-Trail to 60 m.p.h. in 10 seconds and hit 124 m.p.h. where conditions allow. The 148 b.h.p. option is included primarily for its ability to be mated to Nissan’s six-speed automatic gearbox. It takes 12.5 seconds to reach 60 m.p.h.

The X-Trail has been offered in front-wheel-drive form in the past, but the advent of Nissan’s successful Qashqai crossover reduced the need for these road-biased versions and all models are now 4x4s.

The X-Trail has always been very competent off road, Nissan’s designers are rightly proud of All-Mode 4x4-i, an intelligent four-wheel-drive system that reduces understeer and gives some real capability in the rough.

The bold set-square lines of the X-Trail are classic 4x4. The designers have steered clear of the sleeker, curvier shapes in favour of the tall and the chunky.

A large and complex headlamp design dominates the car’s front corners, with indicators, projectors and main beam integrated into the same cluster.

The redesigned bumper moulds around the prominent grille and flares outwards at the base to visually widen the car. At the rear, there are tall LED light clusters bordering the tailgate.

The styling changes render the X-Trail slightly longer than before at 4,640mm, while larger wheel sizes, tyres and wheel arches produce a width of 1,805mm.

Upgrades to materials in the cabin are welcome and give the X-Trail a higher quality ambience.

The instrument cluster is clearer than before and a central trip computer provides handy information.

The front seat backs have been reshaped to increase knee room for rear seat passengers, but the X-Trail already fared reasonably well on this score with comfortable accommodation for those in the back.

There is a sizable boot, too, measuring 603 litres and increasing to 1,773 litres with the 40/20/40 split rear seats down.

Consistently figuring among the nation’s favourite compact 4x4s since the compact 4x4 market went mainstream, the X-Trail has been a highly successful model line for Nissan.

The latest models retain their focus on all-round, family-friendly ability in the face of a shift in the wider market towards Tarmac-specialist crossover models.