New X-Trail: great ride quality and fun to drive

After shedding that “love-it-or-hate-it” boxy design of the previous X-Trail SUV and replacing it with a sexier shell, Nissan might just attract more buyers for the new model thanks to the highly attractive package on offer.

Apart from a new exterior that fits with the mainstream Nissan design concept, the new X-Trail comes with a long list of segment firsts that puts the competition in hot water.

The X-Trail is available with two engine choices (2.0-litre with 144ps/200Nm and 2.5-litre with 171ps/233Nm), and is priced from Bt1.172 million to Bt1.325 million for the three 2.0-litre trims and Bt1.551 million for the top 2.5-litre model that I drove earlier this week.

More than 1,300 orders have already been placed after the new X-Trail was launched last month, and Nissan is hoping to sell as many as 8,000 annually, company executives said.

This would put it alongside segment leaders comprising the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-5, both of which have already passed the 7,000-unit mark from January to November this year.

The X-Trail’s sales performance has been strong in major markets around the world such as Japan, where it was the best-selling SUV last year, and the US, where it is sold under the name of Nissan Rogue.

After appreciating the exterior design change, next is the interior. Nissan has kept the interior of the X-Trail simple. There’s the usual Nissan multi-function steering wheel and black leather upholstery that contrasts sharply against the aluminium/carbon trim. The choice of materials is generally good, although the power window switches look a little cheap while the combination stick has got too much resistance, making it hard to use, especially for the three-blink function.

The centre console houses the 7-inch touch screen that is Bluetooth capable, and doubles as a display for the 360-degree Around View Monitor (AVM), which provides all-around graphics of the vehicle and surroundings by using four video cameras.

The X-Trail also comes with Nissan Connect, an application that allows you to log into Facebook as well as search for destinations via Google. And apart from voice recognition in both Thai and English, the system also reads out your Facebook messages, although the Nissan official who briefed me said this function has not been programmed to work with SMS.

The 2.5-litre model gets a navigation system as standard (an upgraded version that doesn’t make you think of Windows 98 like the Teana), along with other segment firsts such as an electrically powered and programmable tailgate, panoramic sunroof, 5-inch 3D information display in the instrument panel, and LED projector headlights with daytime running lights.

There are 7 seats divided into three rows (2+3+2) and the second- and third-row backseats can be folded to create a relatively flat storage area. The second and third row seat cushions can also be slided fore and aft, allowing you to customise the legroom and remaining cargo room. There’s also an additional storage area under the luggage compartment floor.

The 2.5-litre engine, which is also shared with the Teana sedan, produces 171 horsepower and 233Nm and is mated to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with 7-speed manual shift mode.

The CVT delivers quick response and helps the X-Trail accelerate satisfactorily, although there’s actually not much oomph from that petrol engine, which has less torque than a Mazda2 subcompact (250Nm).

And unlike Mazda with its CX-5, Nissan has not decided to offer a turbo diesel engine with lots of torque for the X-Trail in Thailand. What a pity.

Nevertheless, the X-Trail is still a fun ride altogether, with the powertrain delivering forces to all four wheels through its automatic 4WD system. Despite the 210mm ground clearance, the X-Trail takes on corners pretty well thanks to stabilisers both front and rear, as well as driver assistance such as Active Engine Brake, Active Ride Control and Active Trace Control. In case things go bad four-wheel ventilated discs are governed by not only ABS, EBD and BA, but also feature Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS).

Ride quality is great, with road undulations being absorbed effectively, while wind noise is also on the low side, with the cabin offering peacefulness while cruising at 120km. Apart from reduced stress, a quiet cabin like the X-Trail’s also gives the audio system a chance to perform at its best. I did enjoy the music quality played over my Sony smartphone via Bluetooth.

The speed-sensitive steering has the right amount of precision, although not as sharp as the CX-5’s. It is also very light at low speeds (actually at high speeds as well), which is probably tailored for female customers. Don’t forget that females make up a large chunk of buyers in this segment – the Honda CR-V is a great example.

There is also Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control, and you can lock the 4x4 system by turning the drive selector knob at any speed under 40km/h. You can also set it to 2WD (front-wheel-drive) for maximum fuel efficiency, or 4x4-I (fully automatic), allowing the system to apply forces to the rear wheel when necessary.

The new X-Trail is definitely a big improvement over its ageing (and funny-looking) predecessor. It is now able to compete against the market leaders with more impact, offering a comprehensive packaging along with attractive pricing.

 

Nissan X-Trail 2.5V 4WD

 

Engine: 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve Twin C-VTC

Displacement: 2,488cc

Bore and stroke: 89.0x100.0mm

Compression ratio: n/a

Max power: 171ps/6,000rpm

Max torque: 233Nm/4,000rpm

Transmission: CVT

Ratios: 2.631-0.378 (Manual Mode 2.631/1.567/1.203/0.929/0.721/0.547/0.378)

Suspension (f/r): McPherson strut, stabiliser/multi-link, stabiliser

Steering: speed-sensitive powered rack-and-pinion

Turning circle: 11.2 metres

Brakes (f/r): vented disc/vented disc

 

Dimensions (mm)

Length: 4,640

Width: 1,820

Height: 1,720

Wheelbase: 2,705

Track (f/r): 1,575/1.575

Weight: 1,638kg

Wheels: 18-in alloys

Tyres: 225/60 R18

Fuel tank capacity: 60 litres

Price: Bt1.551 million

Distributor: Nissan Motor Thailand