NISSAN X-Trail road test reports and car reviews

Nissan X-Trail 2.0 Petrol 2006

Brilliant car!! Great value compared to others in its range and much faster on-road and capable off-road... Under full servicing. A door replaced because of minor accident which has many issues... but that is only the dealers fault... I love the car and it does not have mechanical issues... no matter how roughly it gets treated. It got hit on a speedbreaker twice at 80kmph and thrice at 60kmph and only thing that happened was a loose skid plate!!!!! Well my actual location is Nairobi, Kenya.

Responses to this review

I have a 54 plate 2.5 petrol SVE, bought second-hand in 2008 for £6k, a total bargain. It handles well, needs nothing doing to it (just passed another MoT). It’s great for the snow, rain and mud though not brilliant on mpg but then it’s a petrol and at the time it’s why I got her so cheap. Fantastic family/dog car with absolutely no probs...thank God I didn’t get a diesel! - Angela Fell from Worcestershire

Nissan X-Trail 2003

Lots of space and well equiped for a 2003 car. Problem is that expensive things break down on these cars! We needed a new intercooler (which is just like a radiator but laid on its side - it cools the air to the engine) and were quoted over £2000 for the part alone!!!! That is approximately 18% of the vehicles original new price! Why do Nissan attempt to rip customers off in this way? The part must cost about £50 to make. We managed to buy a good second-hand one off ebay for £30! but I will NEVER EVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN simply because of the rip off prices for parts + the dealers are unhelpful and hopeless. I’ll go back to VW!

Nissan X-Trail SVE 2006

140,000 miles up. 36mpg. Okay it has blown 1 turbo, intercooler and fuel pump at 59,999 - but not long after I filled with petrol by mistake. Otherwise far far far better than my previous two Freelander’s (both mk1 and >100,000 miles). As a forester I am hard on my 4x4 but the Xtrail is excellent - and very good on tarmac - faster and almost as good handling as the Freelander. (Freelander feels tougher off road and is probably better but for the insanely high first gear and lack of low down grunt).

Nissan X-Trail sport. 2003

Bought s/h with 30k now up to 71k. Fully serviced. Car us a real contradiction: great to drive but every day you wonder what next is going to go wrong. Camshaft sensor failed 12k miles ago, replacement etc cost £200 but already it is failing - sometimes the car starts, sometimes it does not and towing power is down. Intercooler has a leak; door seals are coming off; exterior window trim is corroding; passenger door locked shut and could not be opened, door had to be dismantled as lock corroded; tailgate lock corroded. I love it & hate it - a super vehicle spoiled by poor quality control and the ever present awareness (unknown when I bought it three years ago!) that this model has a serious history of failed turbos and intercoolers. I would not have another.

Nissan X-Trail 2007

I agree mostly with the report stated below. I however, have some concerns - the driver’s seatbelt gives off an annoying creaking sound that can sometimes be overbearing, especially when you have a passenger you are trying to impress. I have tried countless times to get it changed under the warranty by Fidelity Motors in Jamaica (that is where I am from but the country is not in the listing), but has been told, after several test drive by the service representative(s) that most of them have this problem. Also, just now after two wonderful years, I have a slack driver’s seatbelt and I have never been in an accident. The seatbelt just does not spring back anymore with that vivaciousness like it used to. I also notice that the front passenger’s seatbelt will soon follow suit, but there is some restraint still in it for now. I have moved from a car to this type of SUV, and have driven heavier SUVs, and noticed that it does not turn corners as in a car, in that, it feels as if it will overturn and this is when you really accept that this is a light-weight vehicle. Overall, however, I feel proud to drive one and despite the few concerns glad that I had made that choice in purchasing.

Nissan X-Trail 2.0 diesel 2008

Very impressed with the car. The appearance is quite pleasing but dynamically; great, even when fully loaded. Fuel consumption is very respectable (35.5mpg), ride and handling superior to anything similar I’ve driven. Acceleration is very impressive and ride/noise very smooth/quiet even at high speed. Audio sound quality is terrific, seats comfortable; heated leather a real benefit. Loading is easy, volume cavernous and all washable. Reliability has been flawless. Great car for field, urban road and motorway. A really refined work horse; a car for all occasions/seasons. Thanks Nissan!

Nissan X-Trail sve dci 2005

Bought it in September 2005 after being pre owned by dealer with 9000 miles on the clock. It has now had three new turbo’s (all on warranty). At a cost of £975 plus VAT each. I am dreading the turbo blowing again now I have to pay for it. The plastic studs on the rear door seals have failed and I have failed to source new ones at a reasonable cost (£160 from dealer for new seals, not just studs). Average 36 mpg solo and 26 towing my caravan.... not bad. Overall the car is satisfactory but nothing to write home about. I will not buy another one. I understand the new 2 litre diesel engines are causing more problems than the old (fuel pumps, underpowered). Not a patch on my previously owned Isuzu Trouper which was a superb tow car but rather too heavy on fuel (18 mpg towing), road tax and insurance.

Nissan X-Trail 2.2 dci SVE 2004

We bought a late 54 plate pre-used X Trail October 2008 to replace a Mazda pick up. With only 20k miles on the clock it is just run in nicely. I had the car fully serviced and made sure that the ECU was updated to limit the turbo spin (quite a few turbos have blown on 2.2 dci). Added Slick 50 to the gearbox which has made the box very smooth (it was a bit "notchy" before) and got a Warranty Direct insurance just to be on the safe side (£300 buys a lot of peace of mind). We have taken it out on 2 long journeys so far and we love it. The 135bhp power unit has bags of low down torque (which should come in handy when towing our caravan), it cruises at 70mph quietly, good economy (about 39mpg), it is a stable and relaxing car to drive and the CD/Radio sounds great. Heated leather seats with electronic adjustment are refinements that I would never of bought in a new car but add ownership pleasure. Great big sunroof and a "no lip" boot which makes it so easy to get the dogs in and out of the load area. Overall 99/100 - wish I had bought one earlier.

Responses to this review

Can you tell me any more information about the up grade ECU for the turbo please? I am just about to buy a X trail for the first time and would like to prevent the turbo over spinning - Eric Bishop from Norfolk

Nissan X-Trail Diesel 136 Sport 2004

Avoid like the plague. Bought from new, 3 turbo’s down the line (1 under warranty) and now up to £2k plus for a new fuel pump. No more Nissan’s for me.

Nissan X-Trail Columbia 2.2 CDi 2006

I purchased my pre-registered 2006 Colombia X Trail 2.2 cdi in July 2007 with delivery miles only. It came highly recommended and I believed the official MPG figures - big mistake! After 3000 miles I achieved 30 MPG at best. Nissan dealer and Nissan customer services said this was acceptable! I have now completed 22000 miles and average has gone up to 32 MPG. After a few weeks the rubber trim round both rear doors came away and the plastic studs were lost. Nissan dealer could only sell me the complete seal - £160.00 plus VAT per door! Nissan Customer service offered me a 10% discount. Local body shop obtained the plastic studs and fixed the seals - no charge! My first service cost £175.00 and the bill came with a £560.00 plus VAT list of extras (not under warranty) that I should have done. I took the car to a local garage and they agreed some of the items needed done but most did not and charged me £120.00 including VAT for the lot. If you buy, do not expect quality after sales back up or the economy figures they claim. By the way I have just sold mine!

Nissan X-Trail Trek 2008

A great family car with plenty of goodies. Good on fuel and so far faultless.

Nissan X-Trail 2004

2.2 DCI SVE- What a fabulous car!! It really is a work horse. We have three children (one being a baby) and a dog... they all fit in perfectly. We pull a 23’ caravan all over the country and you don’t know it’s there. Plenty of torque and very comfortable. Avoid main dealer servicing though as its a total rip off - especially in Cardiff. They charge you for work they don’t do!!! Overall the vehicle is superb and definately buy another one. No problems with anything. Top car.

Nissan X-Trail Columbia Diesel 2.2 2006

I have owned the vehicle from new, June 2006. I have found the engine to be very noisy. Under warranty the injectors have be replaced but it is still noisy. On the annual service this year I mentioned it again and was told after test that it was the norm for this engine. Disappointed. In May 2008 when we travelled down to the French Alps towing a 1500Kg caravan. On coming out of La Mure on the N85 the vehicle overheated within the first part of the climb I had to stop and let it cool down. On re starting the journey from stand still it only just coped, but I could not get out of first gear for the rest of the climb and had to stop a second time, overheated again. On the flat or lower grade mountain roads, for example on the A75 from Milau to Beziers it is OK. I will be get rid very soon but not for another X-Trail.

Responses to this review

The X-Trail is great, in my case since 2003. We must remember it is a car and not a tractor. Towing 1.5 tons is quite heavy I must say hence don’t blame the X-Trail - Jason Mochache from Cambridgeshire

Nissan X-Trail 2.2di 2002

Nice to drive BUT CANNOT recommend a car that needs new fuel pump for £2000 at 58000. Very common fault according to NISSAN dealer. Air flow meter, common fault £400 , new key £300 with coding. How can they charge these prices. DO NOT BUY unless you have deep pockets.

Responses to this review

I spotted an X-Trail in the garage the other day on ramps. Guess what? Fuel pump. The mechanic says it has to be a design fault as he has replaced 5 over the last two months; the part alone is £1600 and it seems to affect 2.2 dci engine. Please heed this warning and buy something else - Ian Garnham from Durham

Nissan X-Trail Columbia diesel 2007

For three years I previously had an X-Trail 2.2 litre sport six speed giving an average of 33 miles to the gallon. I looked at the new X-Trail in November 2007 when I was due to change but was disappointed to see they had reduced the cc to a 2 litre. As I tow a caravan the extra power is a must. The dealership were very good in that they checked to see if the old model was available and managed to supply a Columbia version with sat nav and cruise control and I can honestly say its as good as the previous one.

Nissan X-Trail 2.0 Dci SVE 2005

The Nissan Xtrail was a good car to begin with but two years on we are now on to our 3rd Turbo and have had to have the suction control valve changed. I would never buy one of these cars ever again.What a complete let down it has turned out to be. Once this car is back on the road we are going to get shot of it ASAP and get something more reliable. Luckily for us we are having the work done under Warranty but when we have to start paying they are talking £1,000 money we can’t fford to keep paying out...

Nissan X-Trail 2.0 dCi (148) 2007

If you’re going to get an X-Trail, get the diesel. The six-gear manual gearbox is a delight and I think it comes as standard. The ride is comfortable, visibility excellent. Corners well and the diesel engine is lovely and quiet when cruising. Great space, equipment and safety make this one of the best 4x4s, especially at the price.

Nissan X-Trail Sport

I’m excitedly waiting to collect my first x trail sport, I had a test drive yesterday & am so impressed. The drivng position, easy handling, comfort & what really sold it to me ... the wonderful fuel consuption. I didn’t think I could afford to run a 4x4, but this is brilliant. I’ll report back when I pick him up ... I’ve called him Neville!

Nissan X-Trail 2.0 dCi 171 Sport 5 dr

So far everything has been reliable, and trouble free. Plenty of space for 4 adults to travel comfortably and very good on fuel consumption. Great car.