NISSAN X-TRAIL

Top marks for Africa's top selling SUV and Nissan’s top-of-the-range X-Trail 2.2 Turbo-Diesel 4X4.

Our particular test X-Trail was the range-topping 2.2 turbo-diesel, 4X4. Well actually it's can also be a 2X4. By a simple dash-mounted switch, you can switch the X-Trail from a "2WD" front-wheel-drive to "Auto", which will engage the rear wheels if the front wheels should lose traction... and disengage them the second you have traction again with the front wheels. Then you can also engage "Lock" which will engage diff-lock and put drive to all four wheels. With the vehicle in "Lock" you should be able to go almost anywhere. We tried to get stuck in beach-sand, so we could engage "Lock", but couldn't even manage that, so just drove around happily on the beach in 2WD-mode without any hassles (next time I'll look for some really soft stuff).

As would be expected, our X-Trail was fully kitted with every conceivable bell 'n whistle, from electrically-adjustable soft leather seats, front and side impact air bags for the front seats, privacy glass on the side windows (the tint-film is applied on the inside of the glass and is therefore better protected from lifting or scratching) and rear park sensors, which are the only external distinguishing feature of the new level of spec.

X-Trail, a vehicle to go anywhere with - in style, on tar or sand. No wonder it's such a great seller.

the very capable X-Trail will happily take you off the track less followed

the business-end of Nissan's X-Trail

the user-friendly controls, simple to use and all within easy reach

the enormous boot will swallow up even the "kitchen sink"

16" alloy rims come with the new package and what Nissan calls "hyper roof rails" – with driving lights in their leading edge – give new distinction to the top-end models. They have been designed to carry outdoor gear from canoes and mountain bikes.
The car's cabin will be familiar to current owners; similar instruments but more finger-friendly fascia controls for the ventilation system and I particularly liked the horizontal air vent that blows refreshingly cool air straight into the driver's face.
"It's the execution that has changed," Nissan explains "New, soft-touch materials provide an ambience of higher quality while detail ergonomic improvements make the X-Trail even easier to live with."
A three-position rotary switch replaces the previous array of buttons to electronically change from two-wheel drive to auto 4x4 and locked all-wheel drive and the can-holders at each end of the fascia have been linked to the air-conditioning. A single warm/chill multi-box ahead of the gear lever has replaced the refrigerated drink holders in the centre console.
The seat cushions have been redesigned for better thigh support and the upholstery is water-resistant. The luggage space, expandable with folding rear seats, comes with six floor-mounted metal retaining hooks and 13 hook points for an elasticised luggage net that can be positioned vertically.
The X-Trail's motors have been improved, too, particularly the already mentioned diesel which has a variable-nozzle turbocharger and bigger intercooler feeding a new common-rail injection system; turbo lag is not a hassle. This, Nissan says, has benefited fuel consumption and made the motor quieter.
The air-conditioning unit comes straight out of the new 350Z sports car.
 

SPECIFICATIONS:

even though it's a SUV, with 6-speed manual gearbox it's still quite economical

the YD22 - 2.2-litre Direct Injection Diesel engine

Thanks to Sorita van der Walt and Nissan South Africa for the drive,

We enjoyed the X-Trail. It's one very capable vehicle with loads of great features.