Nissan X-Trail 2.0 dCi 150 Aventura Road Test Report

Performance

The X-Trail offers several engine choices, with the quiet and refined 150hp 2-litre diesel tested here sitting roughly in the middle of the range. In everyday on-road use its power is ample, while the easy-action six-speed gearbox (a sequential auto is an option) can be left alone for much of the time due to a healthy 236b/ft of torque. It’s not a blazingly quick car – 0-62mph in 11.2secs, 117mph top speed – but the X-Trail’s true character shines through when driven off-road. Okay, it probably won’t happen often, if at all, but when faced with thick mud or an unnervingly steep hill, the X-Trail really delivers.

Ride & Handling

In theory SUVs don’t have the impeccable road manners of many lower-slung estates or hatchbacks, but the X-Trail has to be driven unusually hard for this to be of any bearing at all. Its electric power steering is well-weighted and responsive, it grips well in corners and its suspension and underpinnings resist uncomfortable body roll while also providing a compliant ride. If you should venture off road then there’s all manner of clever engineering and electronic systems to help you including an automatic transfer to 4WD when required and both uphill and downhill support systems.

Build Quality & Reliability

Impeccable would be one way to describe it. For many years Nissan has enjoyed a fine reputation in this area, scoring highly in customer satisfaction surveys, and there’s nothing on or about the X-Trail that gives any indication that that reputation should be sullied. Although ‘just’ a soft-roader, or more correctly a compact SUV, the X-Trail is well designed and ruggedly built, both inside and out. It looks capable of withstanding hard use, whether on an overland expedition, or just ferrying the kids about, year in, year out.

Safety & Security

In the Euro NCAP crash tests, the X-Trail scored a creditable 4 stars in both occupant and child safety. That’s one less than the max of five, but bear in mind that a fifth star can be earned by something as minor as a passenger seatbelt warning light. The X-Trail scores just two stars on pedestrian safety, but that’s very much in line with most other 4x4 SUVs, with their high, blunt front ends. Inside there are dual-stage driver and passenger front airbags, plus front side and full length curtain airbags, while security is handled by an ‘intelligent’ key, remote central locking (with speed-triggered auto locking) and an immobiliser.

Space & Practicality

The interior isn’t showy, but it’s cleanly designed, spacious and practical. There’s loads of handy storage spaces and, aside from some big MPVs, I can’t think of many cars with six cupholders – that’s at least one each with one to spare! There’s plenty of head and legroom for all aboard, and the seats are genuinely comfy, although three large adults in the rear may need to ‘squeeze up a bit’. Rear loadspace is as good as it gets in this class – the minimum of 603 litres isn’t massive, but by removing the false floor and stowage trays beneath, and folding the 40/20/40 split/fold rear seats flat, this can be increased to 1,012 litres.

Ownership & Value

Nissan’s latest price list has no less than 41 different X-Trail variants, with otr prices ranging from £19,238 to £26,651. This Aventura version sells for £23,837 otr, and it comes with leather, powered and heated seats, a panoramic sunroof, climate control aircon and much more, although that price can easily be bumped by adding ‘eXtreme’ roof rails, satnav and xenon headlamps. Combined consumption for the manual 2.0dCi 150 works out at 39.8mpg, with CO2 emissions at 190g/km. If you never venture off-road then you might wish to consider a less rugged Qashqai, but if you want something butch, but not too big and pricey, then the X-Trail is tough to beat.