While the first generation of the Nissan X Trail was popular due to its unashamed simplicity, the new model is a little bit more grown up.
It’s a bit of a different approach from Nissan, bringing the X Trail into a stable of crossovers instead of keeping it as an SUV. This makes it so similar to the Qashqai to look at that, most of the time, it will be mistaken for one – which may not be a bad thing.
The X Trail’s interior will be familiar to you if you’ve been inside a Qashqai. It’s a little disappointing for those who are expecting more for their money, but it is nicely laid out and of a good quality. Where the X Trail excels is in its spaciousness: The cabin feels roomy and bright, particularly with the panoramic sunroof fitted. It boasts a good size boot and plenty of head room and leg room for passengers, but the centre seat is a bit uncomfortable.
Previously the X Trail wasn’t the best performer the road, but it has been given a significant overhaul to give it some genuinely good pros. It’s still a big car so there’s plenty of lean, but the suspension soaks up all the bumps, making for a comfortable ride. You probably won’t get much joy from throwing it down a B road, but it’s a pleasant place to be on motorways and around town alike. If you pick one of the four wheel drive cars it also retains the off-road ability that made people love the first X Trail, and will easily tackle the worst that most people will encounter.
Whereas the original X Trail was one of those cars that made sense in the countryside, it’s now been brought more into the mainstream fold. It’s still a car that will withstand the rural lifestyle, but it’s now been made to fit in with the urban environment too.
