Haven’t even heard of this SUV? Okay, you will be forgiven for that. Nissan hasn’t publicised it very much. But that does not stop it from being a rocking vehicle. The X-Trail has been Nissan’s bestseller around the world.
It is a very good vehicle and Nissan has done the right thing in bringing it to India. It came at a time when the SUV market was multiplying like microbes in India. Even if there are many more models compared to what we had a few years ago, there still aren’t enough choices in that segment. It is bound to give some stiff competition to the other SUVs. But there are some setbacks like the steep price tag. Is it worth all that cash?
SUVs are meant to look imposing and rugged. The X-Trail does look like that to a certain extent. The front may look traditional, but that makes it agressive. It may not look as modern and sleek as the CRV, but I am sure this styling of it is intentional. The front is definitely handsome. As you move over to the side, the meaty alloys grab your attention.
The side looks attractive with its huge wheel arches and sleek greenhouse. The rear is rather bland, and the mounted tail lamps like on the CRV and Fusion have now gone out of fashion. It is just good enough. The build quality is really good and the vehicle is as solid as a rock. The finish is excellent and leaves a lasting impression.
The interior is one of the highlights of the X-Trail. The first thing that gets(or rather snatches or robs) your attention is the instrument cluster placed... right in the middle! This is very radical. But surprisingly, it is not a disadvantage as it is absolutely normal if you get used to it. The instrument panel is just great and is laid out well. The interior is awesome.
The steering wheel is very sporty and is wrapped in leather. Interior quality is the best of its kind. All the plastics are of high quality and the fibre glass finish on the dash is specially good. The dash looks very attractive with the A/C vents placed on the side. The A/C knobs areso very different from the conventional ones. The seats are leather and are very comfy.
There is enough legroom in the front. At the rear everything is good except one thing; the legroom. It will be a bit uncomfortable. There is no third row (no big deal). And forgot to mention one VERY important detail. The sunroof is the largest I have ever seen. It feels very airy if you open the sunroof and drive with the windows down.
There is sufficient space for loading luggage. So a world class interior let down by its rear legroom.
The engine is the best part of the car. It is a diesel. This is no normal engine. It is so refined and so powerful it will make you think it is a supercharged petrol engine. I feel it is the best engine available in India. It is a common rail direct injection turbocharged intercooled engine. The engine has a capacity of only 2.2 liters, yet it has a power output of 132 bhp.
It also has a massive 32 kgm of torque which is just amzing. It has refinement which can put other petrol engines to shame. The X-Trail has a superb amonut of low end grunt and the torque starts flowing in right from the bottom. Overtaking is a child’s play. There is more than sufficient power available. It accelerates swiftly to hit 60 km/h in just 5 seconds. It can accelerate till 100 km/h in just above 10 seconds! For an SUV, this is too good. Even the Grand Vitara with its 2.7 liter V6 petrol engine is left behind! The performance is definitely the best in SUVs in India. The top speed is more than 175 km/h.
The X-Trail is actually a crossover, and so inherits the charecteristics of sedans also, i.e handling. It handles like it is a light, small sedan. You will barely know it is an SUV. But it is not as good as the Subaru Forester. The ride is good at all speeds. You can’t feel any of the bumps or potholes on the road. There is body roll only to a small extent.
Now this is a real SUV and not just something like the Forester or CRV. It is because it can tackle rough terrain very well. Even though it is not as hardline or rough as the Pajero or Terracan, It is surprisingly good for the type of ride and handling it provides. On a Terracan or a Pajero, the off road ability is better, but the handling is bad. So the X-Trail is as good as a small sedan when it comes to ride and handling. But even when driving it off road, it is very good though not as good as the Pajero. It is just sufficient. Anyway, how often are you going to drive off road? :)
The X-Trail has CRDi diesel engine and for the performance it provides, the fuel efficiency is respectable. In city driving conditions, it manages just above 7.5 km/l. On the highway it can return as much as 11 km/l. In mixed conditions, an overall figure of 9 km/l makes it frugal enough. Diesel is much cheaper than petrol and that is bound to reduce the running costs. Compared to the Pajero, Terracan, CRV, Grand Vitara and Forester, the X-Trail is cheaper to run.
Verdict- The Nissan X-Trail is superb in every possible aspect. In styling it is great and the build quality is the best in its class. It is extremely difficult to fault the interior with the exception of rear legroom. The engine is a gem and is perfect.
The performance is better than many lighter and more powerful luxury sedans. It beats ALL its competitors in performance. The ride and handling is too good. The off road capabilitiy of the X-Trail is good enough. The fuel efficiency is the best in its class (I am running out of superlatives!!!). So why isn’t it selling well? The reason is its Everest high price tag. At 22 lakhs, it has to compete with the Terracan, Pajero, Camry and maybe even the Mercs which is a formidable competition. If its price was at around 16 lakhs it would set record sales.
If you don’t mind the price tag, I suggest you buy the X-Trail over all other SUVs and sedans. If not for its price tag, the X-Trail is unbeatable. Your choice!
STYLING-9.5/10
BUILD-9.5/10
FIT AND FINISH-9.5/10
INTERIOR-9.5/10
ENGINE-10/10
PERFORMANCE-9.5/10
RIDE AND HANDLING-9.5/10
OFF ROAD ABILITY-9/10
FUEL EFFICIENCY-9/10
VALUE FOR MONEY-5/10
GRAND TOTAL (with value for money)-90/100 :(
GRAND TOTAL (without value for money)-95/100:)
Please, for heaven’s sake comment on my review and give a rating.