Nissan X-TRAIL Review
Published: 23rd March 2005
Nissan X-Trail
How It Drove - Performance
The Nissan X-TRAIL 2.2 dCi SVE is equipped with a 2.2 litre dCi turbocharged diesel engine which is available in all the four trim specifications, SE to T-Spec. Currently the diesel engine is not available with an automatic gearbox, only with a six speed manual gearbox.
The diesel engine was modified at the end of 2003 and the 16 valve twin overhead camshaft, 2,184cc engine's power output rose from 114PS to 136PS, and torque increased from 270Nm to a hefty 314Nm. Since torque was also stronger at lower revs, driveability was also improved and while the top speed went up from 107 to 112mph, and the 0-62 mph time down from 12.7 to 11.5 seconds (two-wheel drive 11.2), the economy figures remained unchanged, returning 39.2 mpg (two-wheel drive 39.8mpg) on a combined cycle.
Like most diesel engines we found it noisy on cold start up but it soon settles down when warmed up. Once on the move the engine noise does not really intrude and you tend forget that it is a diesel. We are becoming more and more happy driving diesels, not too long ago it would have been a chore. Now we can only see the benefits, better low down torque and acceleration coupled with better fuel economy. During our time with the dCi X-TRAIL we achieved circa 37 mpg, which we consider to be quite good.
The 6-speed manual gearbox is very easy to use and very car like in operation, the clutch is well weighted and light to use. The five close ratio gears are topped with a long overdrive sixth gear suited to motorway cruising, resulting in lower engine speeds and better fuel consumption.
You can switch the transmission into ‘2WD’, ‘AUTO’ (automatically switches between 2 & 4 wheel depending on conditions) or ‘LOCK’ (locks the car into 4 wheel drive mode). In normal driving conditions you would leave the X-TRAIL in two wheel drive (driving the front wheels only) as it saves on wear and tear - and more importantly it saves fuel.
How It Drove - Ride/Handling
For a relatively large SUV the Nissan X-TRAIL is surprisingly nimble with well weighted steering and limited body roll, in fact unlike some SUV's it is very car like to drive.
The ride is supple and levels of grip are impressive making the X-TRAIL entertaining to drive and of course you do benefit from four wheel traction when necessary in the form of Nissan's ALL MODE 4x4 system the first electronic four-wheel drive system to be seen in a compact SUV.
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