For years mud, mud and cross country were the domains of the Nissan X-Trail. Since the new generation, the off-road crossover is increasingly sighted on the Kö, Kudamm or Leopoldstraße. And also parks self-confidently in front of the day care center or the State Opera. The big brother of the Qashqai is a proof that the big time of the chunky SUV is over. Its chubby smoothness comes better than the angular robustness of earlier models. In addition, there is no longer a long version with the suffix "+ 2" for the smaller sister model Qashqai. On request, the X-Trail offers two retractable additional seats in the rear for its ex-customers and can thus take up to seven passengers on tour.
The X-Trail is framed by a sheet metal dress whose front looks in the current Nissan look complacent, without being too overpoweringly soft washed. The change from a hard guy to a modern partner, the Japanese has survived well. Character yes, but just a good portion of gentle. Thanks to the lush wheelbase of well over 2,70 meters and the possible displacement of the seats in the second row there is amazing leg and knee freedom. The ingenious variability of the X-Trail can also be used as a loader. Between 550 and 1.982 liters of storage space are more than tidy.
In the range of engines Nissan freed future customers from the usual, sometimes even sprawling agony of PS choice. Currently, there are only two engines: The 1,6-liter petrol engine (120 kW / 163 PS) is held up to the front-wheel drive, consumes the current standard just above 6 liter and makes a peak of 200 km / h possible. More important is the familiar diesel with the same displacement. It has to be satisfied with 96 kW / 130 PS and stands with a pulling power of 320 Newton meters in the data sheet. From the paper form before the first test drive already raises the question of whether this is all for a befitting progress with the depending on the version up to 1,6 tons heavy X-Trail sufficient.
The mountainous area around Innsbruck, wet fresh snow has settled on the narrow, winding country roads. Of course, the X-Trail relies on the modern four-wheel drive, which thanks to electronic support always sends the driving force to the axle, which is especially needed. It quickly becomes clear that the "S" in the generic abbreviation "SUV" (Sport Utility Vehicle) is not the largest letter in the X-Trail alphabet. "Sport" is different. The six-speed gearbox wants to be switched immensely diligently to keep the Japanese happy. Until the needle of the tachometer has reached the "2.000" and the turbo lag is overcome, not much happens. Only then can the X-Trail be moved to relaxed swimming in everyday traffic.
Nevertheless, he reliably manages overtaking maneuvers, even if the gap to the oncoming driver is not too tight. Nissan calls a spike of up to 186 km / h and a sprint to tempo 100 in just 11 seconds. But users of this kind of cars place more value on comfort anyway, the high seating position for good overview, on space and practical benefits. The all-wheel drive, however, is not necessarily in the foreground. But at least half of the X-Trail buyers have decided on it so far. By means of rotary wheel can be selected between front-wheel drive, automatic four-wheel drive or the fixed distribution of engine power in the ratio 50: 50 on the two axes. That sets him apart from the smaller Qashqai. He rolls only in exceptional cases on all fours.
The so driven X-Trail is available from 32.000 Euro. Air conditioning, aluminum wheels, parking aid front and rear, LED daytime running lights or cruise control are standard on all versions. At an additional cost, there are various assistance systems, including an emergency brake function in the event of imminent impact. The list of extras includes LED headlights, an electrically-opening tailgate, a camera with 360 degree all-round visibility or an Internet connection. Who has the necessary credit on the account, so can spend well up to 40.000 Euro.
Since the X-Trail in the interior makes a more than passable impression and is well-made, he encounters some love in the seemingly ever growing SUV community; although he came later than many well-heeled rivals, who make up the business for years. But: Nissan is now one of the most successful players in this class and will certainly use its rich customer file, for example, in which just those owners of the faded Qashqai + 2 are listed as a target group. And they should actually be quite easy to convince the X-Trail.
Author: Peter Maahn / SP-X