What is it?

Now in its fourth-generation, the all-new Nissan X-Trail has a muscular and modern design that’s brimming with sound practical features and advanced technology.   Regarding the latter, e-Power means that Nissan have fitted electric motors to drive the wheels whist still using a petrol engine as a generator, so not electric, but getting there. 

On the road

The X-Trail is a very comfortable car to drive, no matter what the surface it handled them all well.  Yes, on twisty roads when you put your foot down it can roll a bit, which is natural, but drive it normally and you’ll be surprised at how the soft and supple suspension keeps it upright.  What surprised me the most was just how sharp and responsive the steering is - it feels at odd with its SUV and family orientated brief.

Although the in-line 3-cylinder petrol engine can sound a bit gruff under hard acceleration (don’t they all?), but it’s almost whisper quiet on the move, and it suppresses outside noises like wind and rough surfaces.  It’s the same when in electric mode too, there isn’t much outside intrusion to spoil the journey.

I didn’t mess around with the electrics much, I just let it decide itself when to use electric, and after a week of hooning around it achieved a very reasonable 45.6mpg.  I reckon I could have easily seen 50mpg if I was more sensible - but that ain’t going to happen anytime soon!

There’s also an ‘e-Pedal Step’ mode which allows for mostly one-pedal driving, although the brake pedal is needed to bring the car to a complete stop.

Off road

The X-Trail comes in 2WD and 4WD flavours, and it was only half way through the loan, when I was about to venture off the beaten track and searching for any sort of low-box button did I realise that Nissan had in fact sent me the 2WD version, my fault for not checking.

With not-bad approach and departure angles I reckon it could be a lot of fun off the beaten track, throw some camping gear in the back and head to a wild camping site on the top of a hill somewhere and I feel it would do you proud.  In fact, in the new year I think I’ll mither Nissan and do just that.

Interior

Although it isn’t a huge vehicle on the outside, jump in and it feels almost TARDIS like as the Nissan engineers have done a cracking job making it as roomy and as practical as possible.

The front seats are not only incredibly comfortable, they’re also supportive, the dash layout is well finished and there’s oodles of cubby space.

This top-spec Tekna+ is particularly well-finished, with a light tan interior and two 12.3” displays alongside each other. The large windows offer plenty of visibility and even better, Nissan have given the X-Trail actual knobs and dials for the heaters and a really tactile flat bottomed, thick rimmed small diameter steering wheel - 5-stars!

When it comes to tech and safety features the Tekna+ has them by the bucket load - too many to mention here, let’s just say that if it doesn’t have it then you don’t really need it.

Jump in the back, which is easy by the way as the rear doors open almost 90º, and even the tallest amongst us will find it roomy, especially with reclining and sliding seats.  Add to that there’s no transmission tunnel, so even if you have 3 adults in there there’ll be no awkward man-splaying.  Oh yeah, you can get your feet under the front seats for extra leg room.

There’s an optional of third row seats that are really for children that this particular X-Trail didn’t have, instead you get some really handy hidden underfloor storage.

If you chose the 5-seat model, once you have lowered the back seats you have 1,424 litres of space. And, whether your loading / unloading awkward loads or doing a spot of car-camping, all seats fold flat and you will appreciate that there’s no lip to heave things over.

Conclusion

I’m not going to say that the X-Trail is an exciting SUV to drive, but it isn’t dull either, it feels solid and is hugely practical, and overall I enjoyed my week with it.  Yes there are other SUVs with more rear space available, but it suited my needs well, and if Nissan offered me one as a long-termer I wouldn’t complain, though I’d make sure it had AWD.

Price: with options - £46,050.00