Nissan X-Trail TL new car review

★★★★

There's plenty of choice when it comes time to search for a new family car, highlighted by a long list of soft roaders that have become the first pick for suburban duties.

That list is growing rapidly and now covers the entire spectrum of new-car variants, with plenty of new models at either end, including a raft of small city-sized SUVs, as well a plethora of sporty and luxurious variants now on offer.

While they have garnered the most attention, there has still been plenty of activity in the middle ground, with Nissan alone introducing three new models in recent months; the latest generation Pathfinder and X-Trail, as well as the replacement for the Dualis, which now wears its global Qashqai nameplate.

If the difference in size isn't enough variety, now there is even more, with the Japanese car maker adding diesel-engine options to the X-Trail family this month.

WHAT DO YOU GET?

Whereas Nissan offers five model grades for the petrol-powered X-Trail variants, it has limited the diesel to just two specification levels; a mid-range TS and flagship TL.

That's because, where it has 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre engines to define the petrol range from top to bottom, there is only a single 1.6-litre turbo diesel on offer across the TS and TL models.

Each is available in either front- or all-wheel drive but limited to having a CVT auto in the former and a six-speed manual gearbox only in the latter.

Prices start at $35,380 plus on-road costs for the two-wheel drive TS, which places it in the middle of the petrol alternatives in terms of sticker price, even though it matches the entry-level ST grade in terms of features, which include 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth interior trim, push-button start with keyless entry, cruise control, reverse camera and a five-inch colour display with Bluetooth connectivity.

Stepping up to the TL grade is a decent leap, with the front-driver we're testing here starting at $46,280 plus on-roads. But it does come with a host of added features, such as 18-inch alloys, leather trim, heated and electrically adjustable front seats, LED headlights, sunroof, a powered tailgate, 360-degree camera and a larger touchscreen display with digital radio and sat nav.

It also builds on the TS's six-airbag protection and five-star crash test rating with a more comprehensive safety package that includes lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring and moving object detection.

Because all-wheel-drive models only come with a manual transmission, there's a marginal $300 added cost for the benefit of all-paw traction on both the TS and TL models.

WHAT'S INSIDE?

Just as there is from the outside, there's a familiar look and feel that now stretches across the cabin of Nissan's latest trio of soft roaders.

That means there's still the high-seating position and good all-round vision loved by SUV owners but a more car-like interior with plenty of room, well thought-out use of space and, in our top-spec TL, more than enough gadgets to brag about.

The front seats are relatively flat but still fairly comfortable for long journeys, while the rear bench has enough room for three children – or at least two adults – without being too squeezy. The seats can even be reclined for a more relaxing environment, with passengers also treated to rear air-conditioning vents.

The overall design of the dash is fairly modern with its centre-mounted touchscreen flanked by a set of upswept wings that draw into the air vents at either end, but it's mostly grey colour scheme doesn't showcase the style very well and is also let down by hard plastics on most surfaces.

There are, however, plenty of smart storage solutions such as the hidey hole for a mobile phone, a centre console big enough for an iPad, cupholders for all occupants and large bins in each door. But it's the X-Trail's boot that is the smartest as it can be configured in 18 different ways thanks to two luggage boards that can divide the space into unique compartments.

UNDER THE BONNET

The 1.6-litre unit is the same as that used in the Qashqai and matches its outputs of 96kW at 4000rpm and 320Nm from as low as 1750rpm, but those are considerably less than the gutsy Renault-sourced 2.0-litre from the previous-generation X-Trail that delivered 127kW and 360Nm.

Still, the smaller capacity, the adoption of fuel-saving technologies such as stop/start and the fact it can now be had with a CVT auto means the diesel engine's biggest drawcard is improved fuel consumption with its claimed average of 5.3L/100km significantly better than before and well below the best performing petrol alternative with the 2.0-litre entry-level ST recording an official figure of 7.9L/100km.

Even though most of our test drive was conducted in city traffic, a final reading of 5.8L/100km was commendable for a car that weighs almost 1600kg, which the engine manages to disguise quite well with a decent surge of mid-range pulling power.

The CVT also helps tap into the engine's strength quickly while on the move but it does struggle to get things underway from a standstill and there's a noticeable – and sometimes disconcerting – degree of hesitation between the engine re-awakening and then auto flaring up to maximum revs while the turbo builds boost pressure.

ON THE ROAD

Even with the added strength of the diesel engine, it is clear from the moment you hit the road that this latest-generation X-Trail has lost some of the ruggedness that made its predecessor the default soft roader for those who  like a little bit of adventure.

It is even more car-like than most of its rivals, with its light steering making it easy to manoeuvre through city streets, while the suspension has been tuned with an obvious focus on comfort, allowing it to soak up most bumps without upsetting the occupants.

But it also means it's not the most engaging of drives, with little in the way of feedback through the steering wheel and plenty of body roll through the bends.

Being front-wheel drive, it also virtually eliminates any notion of getting off the beaten track.

VERDICT

The X-Trail might have lost some of its adventurous side, but the all-new version has matured into a much more relevant option for modern families. It is bigger, more comfortable and, at the top of the range, comes loaded with plenty of toys and safety features. The addition of a diesel option doesn't rekindle much of its predecessor's off-road ability, and  doesn't help it match gruntier rivals, but does make it a more economical option for everyday use,

Speifications

Price

$46,280 plus on-road and dealer costs

Country of origin

Engine

1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel

Power

96kW at 4000rpm

Torque

320Nm at 1750rpm

CO2 emissions

139g/km

Transmission

CVT auto, front-wheel drive

Weight

1562kg

Safety

6 airbags; stability control

Pros

Frugal engine; well equipped; comfortable ride

Cons

Lacks low-end shove; hesitates to get away swiftly; dark interior

Fuel use: 5.3L/100km (4th notch, good)

Performance: 61kW/tonne (3rd notch, below average)

Boot: 450 Litres (7th notch, good)

Resale: 47 per cent (4th notch, below average)

The Competitors

Mazda CX-5 Akera Diesel

Price: $ plus on-road costs

Engine: 2.2-litre four cylinder turbo diesel; 129kW/420Nm

Fuel use/CO2 emissions: 5.7L/100km, 149g/km

Safety: 6 airbags; stability control

Pros: Decent economy, well equipped, agile handling

Cons: Indecisive automatic, boot could be bigger

Our score: 4/5

Honda CR-V DTi-L

PRICE $45,340 plus on-road costs

ENGINE 2.2-litre four cylinder turbo diesel; 110kW/350Nm

FUEL USE/CO2 EMISSIONS L/100km, g/km

SAFETY 6 airbags; stability control

PROS Flexible performance, roomy cabin, quiet and comfortable ride

CONS Poor economy for a diesel, misses out on petrol's optional driving aids

OUR SCORE: 3.5/5

Ford Kuga Titanium TDCI

PRICE $47,740 plus on-road costs

ENGINE 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel; 120kW/340Nm

FUEL USE/CO2 EMISSIONS 6.4L/100km, 168g/km

SAFETY 6 airbags; stability control

PROS Sweet handling, functional cabin, plenty of gear

CONS Firm ride, boot could be bigger

OUR SCORE: 4/5

Online Road Test: Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid

VERDICT: It's not a game changer for those looking at a Pathfinder, but the hybrid system and four-cylinder engine deliver on performance while helping moderately lower fuel bills.

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