Review
One of the first of the current wave of mid-sized "soft roaders", and still one of the better ones. The X-Trail combines the rugged styling of a "proper" SUV with a tarmac-biased driving experience. Excellent standard equipment and competitive pricing help to strengthen its appeal further.
It certainly looks the part - big, boxy and adventurous. Once inside, the spacious cabin is well finished and thoughtfully laid out, with plenty of space for full-sized adults in both the front and rear. Bootspace isn't particularly generous with the rear seats in place, but the load area becomes massive when they are collapsed.
On-road manners are predictably good. The X-Trail's well-damped suspension makes for a comfortable, compliant ride over urban bumps and bangs. It copes well with the motorway too, cruising happily at higher speeds with a minimal amount of fuss. Cornering limits are relatively low, but the X-Trail stays safe and predictable right the way up to them. It's not much cop off-road, as you would expect, but the four-wheel drive versions can deal with dirt tracks or damp grass painlessly. Base 2WD version would be embarrassingly easy to get stuck.
Three engines are available. The basic 2.0 litre petrol gives decent urge at the cost of a loud soundtrack and a two-wheel drive powertrain. The more powerful 2.5 litre petrol comes with 4WD but is barely faster. Most punters will go for the excellent DCi diesel version, which combines strong urge with respectable fuel economy.