Nissan X-Trail review

To be imported as a CBU (completely built-up) unit from Japan, Nissan’s big calling card here is the presence of “Japanese DNA” in the X-Trail. What this means remains as vague as Godzilla’s next stomping location, it does bear a family resemblance to global icons such as the Juke, Qashqai and Ariya. The V-motion grille adds the requisite butchness to the face that makes it look like a full-size SUV deceptively. The 20in wheels with appropriately sized rubber add to the appeal and ability too.Overall, it’s a non-polarising design that errs on the side of caution.

Cabin quality and the fit/finish are of a high order and put the Japanese build quality in sharp perspective. Cabin design on the other hand has a hint of old-world charm and solidity with large swathes of double-stitched tan leather, soft plastics and fabric used in layers to break up the monotony of grey. The floating centre console also features a huge storage bin under it and the butterfly armrest opens up like a barn door for added convenience. Practicality seems to be the goal here and it can be seen in various areas like the removable slip mats for the wireless charging pad and storage bin for easy cleaning. Even the second-row centre seat that folds down as an armrest features cupholders and a phone holder.

Being a proper 7-seater, the X-Trail has a ton of tricks to help you move your house or your hockey team. 16 different combinations of split and folding seats are available between the second and third row along with slide and recline for maximum comfort. But the third row is still best for kids or pets, mind you. The 40:20:40 split second row on the other hand is extremely comfortable with great legroom, recline and cushioning so chauffeur-driven owners will have no complaints whatsoever. Even the doors open 85 degrees, making ingress and egress foolproof for members of all ages.

Alright so it does have a modern-ish 12.3in full digital instrument cluster but the graphics are more Back to the Future than Ready Player One. Limited customisation, largely monochrome and yet fully functional and very legible, once again, it chooses function over form. The 8in infotainment screen supports wired phone mirroring like CarPlay and Android Auto but the operating system itself looks archaic in comparison to the competition’s polished and smartphone-like intuitiveness. There’s an assortment of USB-A and USB-C ports for the first and second row along with the customary 12V socket, but the wireless charging pad is a handy addition. The front and rear parking cameras along with sensors have great resolution and work well too. Besides this and the dual-zone climate control aside, the cabin is largely devoid of creature comforts like a branded audio system, wireless CarPlay, ventilated seats and electric seat adjustment. Even safety tech which is becoming commonplace in this segment like ADAS has been given a miss. What you do get is a superb powertrain though and Nissan seems to have saved all the tech for its motor design.

Dubbed as the world’s first production engine with a variable compression turbo, the 3-cylinder petrol engine might seem inadequate on paper. But thanks to some seriously high-tech and ingenious thinking behind it, the variable compression ratio of 8:1 to 14:1 ensures that no matter how heavy or light your right foot is, the valve timing is adjusted accordingly. The transition between instant power delivery to a coasting and efficient driving style should happen seamlessly, merely depending on how you use the throttle pedal. Mated to a third-gen CVT, there are paddle shifters that simulate an 8-step gearshift and make it all seem as normal as possible. And it does so brilliantly.

If you’re quick to judge a 1.5L 3-cylinder engine by its size, you’d be sorely mistaken. The VC Turbo tech isn’t just marketing mumbo-jumbo, and you feel that the moment you get out on the open road. Acceleration is brisk and the CVT has barely any rubberband effect that lingers. It’s smooth, refined and so well insulated that NVH is a non-issue. Its 163hp/300Nm comes in handy when you put your foot down during a quick overtake and realise that given its size and weight, the motor does an amazing job of masking all that bulk. On the contrary, the paddle shifters work, sort of. They do give you the perception of more control, but drop down a few steps in quick succession and there is no perceivable engine braking associated with the “lowering” of the steps. The only time the 3-pot feels like a 3-pot is when you put your foot flat on the throttle on a poker straight highway and it starts running out of steam beyond 160kmph. It does come equipped with a 12V mild hybrid system which works mostly in the background.

Ride comfort is as expected, which is mostly comfortable with a firm edge. Planted even at high-speeds on the highway, it does get caught out by potholes with a loud thud permeating the cabin. Purists might lament the lack of a 4x4 option, but this front wheel drive X-Trail does come with with brake limited slip differential at the rear to give you added confidence if things get a bit too slippery. What stands out is the superb steering response. Sharp and direct with quick direction changes and a lightness that makes it easy to drive in urban settings, the X-Trail can be fun behind the wheel or behind the chauffeur too.

Going head to head with a whole bunch of cars in terms of size or price point, the X-Trail has its work cut out for it. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of the Creta or the Hector nor the 4x4 chops of the Fortuner or Meridian, so it definitely isn’t going to be for everyone. But if you do appreciate bulletproof Japanese build quality, a refined drivetrain and engine, superb comfort and well, exclusivity, then the Nissan X-Trail is a worthy contender for the well-heeled SUV lover.