Nissan X-Trail driving report
Japanese crossover ready for the future
The Japanese car manufacturer has given its best-selling model a generation change and is sending the X-Trail on the road to success in the third attempt. 3,7 million models have been sold since its launch in 2000. The crossover presented at the IAA in 2013 replaced the Pathfinder that had been running in Europe to date. In mid-2014, customers were able to look forward to more curves and acknowledged this with 115.000 units sold on the European market to date. From summer 2017, the regular facelift received even more safety and comfort functions as well as a further leap in quality in the interior and minor modifications to the exterior. In order not to miss the connection to the topic of "autonomous driving", Nissan is now equipping its bestseller with its in-house development ProPILOT. This is intended to take the first steps towards future mobility. For the quiet market launch in 2018, the Japanese are offering the basic model with a 1,6 liter gasoline engine and the “VISA” equipment from € 25.440.
Innovations by customer request
Nissan wants to have implemented all innovations in the X-Trail based on feedback from its customers. These include, among other things, its high wheel arches and the curved line of the bonnet. He finds support for the dynamic appearance in the newly designed front section. In addition, the X-Trail shows itself with the brand's typical V-shaped front grill. His headlights shine in the boomerang motif, which are already offered by his bigger brother Qashqai as LED headlights with an adaptive light system. The entire front appearance makes the Japanese generally very self-confident on the street. With a clear straight line, it stretches backwards and with its rear already finds the clear conclusion of an SUV, albeit described in the crossover segment. Last October, we were able to get a first impression of its driving characteristics and the new design around the Bavarian capital of Munich.
Powerful diesel
The first test kilometers are very entertaining with the X-Trail, which leaves an astonishingly safe impression for a crossover both in the sprint and when cornering quickly. The focus for us is the 2016 diesel with its 2.0 kW (130 PS) introduced with the 177 facelift. The "strong" diesel with a maximum torque of 380 Newton meters at 2.000 revs not only cuts a fine figure in city traffic, but also looks just as confident on shorter motorway routes. The chassis set-up, which has been revised for the new generation, impresses with tighter springs and a new adjustment of shock absorbers and rack and pinion steering with electronic power steering, which makes the X-Trail appear extremely agile.
Four-wheel crossover
The 2.0 diesel engine in all-wheel drive mode is combined as standard with both a six-speed manual transmission and the Xtronic automatic transmission. If it is "only" the front-wheel-driven vehicle, only the Xtronic automatic is available. In addition, a stop / start system comes as standard in the X-Trail, which contributes to the support of the good consumption values. Combined, we have information from the manufacturer of a slim 4 l (4 l in urban areas, 6,1 l in urban areas) for the 6,7 × 5,8-driven X-Trail equipped with an Xtronic automatic transmission. The associated carbon dioxide emission value of 162 grams per kilometer speaks for itself. The 2.0 liter diesel naturally also meets the Euro 6 standard.
From 2018 prepared for the future
The Japanese engineers have been offering the ProPILOT system since the beginning of 2018 to the trend-setting assistance systems such as Cross-Traffic Warner, Parking Assist, Tiredness Detection and Totewinkel Assistant. In single-lane motorway traffic, column traffic or traffic jams, it is to take over control of steering, acceleration and deceleration. It combines the functions of Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and Traffic Jam Pilot. A switch on the steering wheel activates and deactivates the system. All status information is provided by the display between the round instruments.
Except autonomous and luxurious
The X-Trail starts for all its engines with the basic equipment "Visia", which meets the requirement for a complete crossover for now. The price range goes from 24.440 Euro (1.6 liter petrol engine, equipment "Visia") to the variant "Tekna" with the 2,0-liter diesel for 45.290 Euro. In addition, numerous optional extra packages are available at different prices, leaving room for customization. Available are 18 and 19-inch alloy wheels, Panoramo glass sunroof, Smart Key system including start-stop button and a Premium BOSE sound system with 8 speakers, just to name a few features. In the area of security systems, Nissan offers features such as Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist Active with Corrective Brake Intervention, Pedestrian Detection for AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking), Emergency Brake Assist, as well as Rain Sensor, Distance Assisent and Traffic Pitch Detection. A rear view camera with 360 degree all-round visibility is included in the package of the Nissan Connect navigation system.
And finally ... The 2.0 liter diesel X-Trail with its full equipment package does not show any weaknesses on the first test kilometers. With the starting price of the motorization including full equipment of a little more than 45.000 euros, no wish remains unfulfilled and it is also an attractive alternative for its competitors.
The X-Trail with its 2.0 liter of cream diesel stops as a crossover connection to the SUV segment. He also finds support with his electronic helpers.
Text: Stefan Beckmann, Beitragsbild: Manufacturer Picture: Stefan Beckmann and manufacturer