Warming up the engine
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The Nissan X-Trail first arrived in 2000 as a rugged off-roader, with a four-wheel drive powertrain and promising more off-road ability than some other rivals. It stayed that way for some time, but Nissan knows as well as anyone else that the real money is in more road-biased SUVs, so that’s how the X-Trail has been since 2013, effectively serving as a seven-seat version of the incredibly popular Qashqai.
It has much more competition today but is still worth a look if you’re searching for a practical family SUV. An economical one too, since all X-Trails are now hybrid, a change Nissan made with the latest model launched in 2021. Some rivals drive better and others look better, but the X-Trail is a solid all-rounder and worth a look if the Qashqai isn’t quite big enough for your family’s needs.
In this guide we’re concentrating on the most recent generation of X-Trail, launched in 2021. Like its predecessor, it’s effectively a larger version of the Nissan Qashqai, and has a pair of small fold-out seats in the boot that can accommodate small children, or when they’re folded down, allow for a larger load area than you’ll find in the Qashqai.
It’s a more interesting car to look at than its predecessor too, with a rugged look that should find a few fans, though it’s fair to say some of the other cars in this class are more striking still. The same can be said of the interior design, which isn’t much to look at but is well-built, trimmed in pretty decent (and hard-wearing) materials, and is equipped with a responsive infotainment touchscreen.
All X-Trails offer some variation on the hybrid powertrain theme, from a mild hybrid entry-level model to two models that use the engine as a generator, and power their wheels with electric motors. They don’t need plugging in, and while they’re not the most efficient in their class, the economy figures aren’t bad at all for a seven-seater car running mainly on petrol power.
The X-Trail drives well in general, but if you’re looking for something with more driver appeal, then the Mazda CX-60 is worth a look, and has an interesting engine of its own, a 3.3-litre six-cylinder diesel. The Skoda Kodiaq pairs chunky styling with a practical cabin and a fine drive, and the Hyundai Santa Fe is one of the more visually striking options in this class.
For its mix of fuel efficiency, equipment and affordability, our pick of the current X-Trail range is the front-wheel drive e-Power model in mid-range N-Connecta trim. It’s more efficient than the all-wheel drive version (which most buyers shouldn’t really need), but is better equipped than Visia or Acenta Premium models, and side-steps the much heftier tax rates that Tekna and Tekna+ versions can attract with some engines.
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We’ve concentrated on the trim levels offered on the most recent X-Trail here, so some may have changed since the model debuted in 2021, but should be broadly representative of what you’ll find on dealer forecourts. Like many other Nissan models, Visia opens the range while Tekna and Tekna+ are the best-equipped.
The Nissan X-Trail’s dimensions are:
The Nissan X-Trail’s boot size is:
Any X-Trail registered after April 2017, which covers all current generation models as it was launched in 2021, is subject to a flat rate of VED or ‘road tax’. As all are hybrids, that means a bill of £180 per year. There are a few models that may get hit by a hefty surcharge though, as some X-Trails cost more than £40,000 when new, lifting the tax rate up to £590 per year, at least until the seventh year of registration.
The X-Trail range starts in group 22 for a Visia in mild hybrid form, to group 31 for a top-end Tekna+ with the e-4orce all-wheel drive setup. We’ve not covered them in detail here, but pre-2021 X-Trail models cover a range from groups 17-35 depending on trim level and engine.
£15,990
£25,499
£28,999
£25,500
£28,800
£22,678
£24,671
£18,500
£29,779
£29,779
£24,612
£26,000
£35,437
£35,999
£1,000 off£22,346
£450 offWhat is the most popular colour for Nissan X-Trail ?
What is the most popular gearbox for Nissan X-Trail ?
What is the most popular fuel type for Nissan X-Trail ?
What is the most popular engine for Nissan X-Trail ?
What is the average mileage for Nissan X-Trail ?
18567
How many Nissan X-Trail cars are available for sale?
201
