Nissan listens to his customers, because well over 50 percent of the customers wanted the X-Trail as an automatic with all-wheel drive and diesel. And that's exactly what the Japanese now offer with the new 130 kW / 177 hp engine. At least 36.490 euros are due for this option, while the fuel consumption of around six liters is still expected to be moderate. Of course, the manufacturer does not deny the new two-liter to the switching fans - then you saved around 2.000 euros. Incidentally, the four-cylinder now working in the X-Trail is a Renault plant. This is the unit that has driven various models of the French group in recent years, but now the developers have revised the diesel engine - 20 percent of the parts are new. The main aim was probably to make the powerhouse fit for the Euro 6 emissions hurdle.
Time for a first trial round. After pressing the start button, it quickly becomes clear that the four-cylinder is a rustic journeyman and does not even think about acoustically covering up its diesel existence. Almost a refreshing counterpoint to the smooth design of modern SUVs, like the X-Trail is. But let's stay with the engine first. The 380 Nm chunk has an easy game with the 1,7-tonner, at least after overcoming its starting weakness.
So it can happen to choke the switch unintentionally. He also likes to roll back on slopes. Here the technicians could put some work into the hill start control. The surcharge for the automatic is therefore well laid out. The continuously variable transmission makes a really pleasant impression - the starting comfort is convincing, the translation transitions are naturally smooth, and the dreaded rubber band effect is absent because the engineers simulate levels. Now you can really enjoy the two-liter, which should accelerate half a second later on highway speed than the output with mechanical transmission, but this is irrelevant in practice. Especially since the X-Trail is not a designated sprinter anyway.
On the other hand, it is nice that the strengthened Kraxler is already picking up speed at the slightest accelerator pedal pressure from the engine room and is therefore one of the elasticity professionals. In addition, he is also one of the utility professionals, offering plenty of space. When the seats are folded down, almost 2.000 liters fit in the trunk - which cars already have such a large cargo volume? And the human cargo was also considered, for example with a sliding rear seat bench. So you really don't have to suffer in the second row and can stretch your legs (even longer versions of them) with relish. Only the passengers in the at least 500 euros in the third row of seats would not necessarily go voluntarily on long-haul routes, but that is quite normal. In terms of all-wheel drive competence, the X-Trail is logically only a semi-professional and, for a given reason, foregoes a reduction - in practice, almost nobody drives into rough terrain. The power distribution can be fixed using a rotary switch, and the experts show that the Nissan also cuts quite well when it comes to wheel alignment when presented on a prepared scree slope.
What remains is the view into the interior. Here you can have plain home-style food instead of a star menu. The architecture, however, is neatly finished, and some will be pleased that he activates the seat heating simply by pressing a button via an old-fashioned toggle switch instead of strolling through the menu on the touchscreen for five minutes. Nevertheless, the Nissan also offers a touchscreen. With a very convincing navigation system, too, which quickly processes destination entries and guides them precisely. For infotainment satisfaction, the screen in the center console and a small TFT field between the classic round dials in the instrument cluster must suffice, since the X-Trail is knitted conservatively. In contrast, progressive attitudes towards safety - autonomous braking system, lane departure warning system and traffic sign recognition are even a matter of course for the base. But an integrated navigation system is not available here at all and even in the somewhat higher-quality "Acenta" line, at 1.380 euros, it is quite expensive. After all, the Bluetooth hands-free system and reversing camera are included. In the overall package, the X-Trail is a fairly priced vehicle and, above all, offers a lot of utility and considerable comfort for your money. The powerful two-liter diesel is definitely an asset to the model. (Patrick Broich / SP-X)