Nissan X-Trail 2.0 dCi Sport

	The old car’s knobbly fabrics and workmanlike dash materials gave a utilitarian feel, but this model is more upmarket

The new car certainly has the same chunky appeal, but it now sits on a platform shared with the Qashqai. Every panel is different; look hard and you can spot the modifications. What’s more, the stretched D-pillars are an indication of a far bigger boot.

The 603-litre load area is 193 litres up on the old model, and it’s longer and wider than the Land Rover’s luggage space, too. A low load lip and wipe-clean trim add to the X-Trail’s practicality. The big boot comes courtesy of a long rear overhang – the wheelbase itself has grown by only 5mm. This means the previous generation’s adequate rear legroom has only improved fractionally, although the rear seats now fold 40/20/40.

Up front, the driving position is excellent, and there’s a decent range of steering wheel and seat movement. The old car’s knobbly fabrics and workmanlike dash materials gave a utilitarian feel, but this model is more upmarket.

There’s a better-quality finish on the dashboard and the layout is simple, while the X-Trail’s practical features remain. Owners get six cup-holders, a generous glovebox and a lidded dash-top cubby.

Another welcome trait carried over from the previous model is the light action of all the controls. The clutch is well weighted and the six-speed manual gearbox has a precise shift. The 2.0-litre dCi diesel engine has already been seen in the Qashqai, and even in lower-output 148bhp guise it delivers meaty performance.

The X-Trail weighs 1,711kg – that’s 59kg lighter than its rival – and this balances out the fact that its 320Nm torque output is 80Nm down on the Freelander’s. As a result, the Nissan feels just as responsive. It’s half-a-second quicker from 0-60mph, at 9.1 seconds, and outperformed the Land Rover in our in-gear tests. The auto box in the Freelander contributed to the performance gap, but despite a flat point around 2,000rpm, the Nissan’s dCi unit delivers its power smoothly.

Our noise meter picked up some diesel clatter in the middle of the rev range, yet on motorways, the engine is far more subdued. However, the X-Trail can’t match the Freelander’s premium feel, especially when it comes to the ride. There’s more vibration in town in the Nissan, while extra tyre roar disturbs motorway progress.

But this tighter dynamic set-up means the X-Trail has the edge on a twisty road. With sharp, positive steering and good body control, the Nissan is agile, balanced and car-like in its responses, whereas the Land Rover has a more ponderous feel to its dynamics.

The X-Trail’s All Mode 4x4i transmission allows you to select front-wheel drive only, which improves economy. Or you can switch the clearly labelled dial to Auto Mode, which adjusts drive between the axles. You can feel this when exiting corners; the unloaded front wheel doesn’t lose traction, as power is sent to the rear tyres instead.

As with the Land Rover, stability control is standard, and if you head off-road, hill descent control allows you to lock the 4WD to give the best set-up for mud-plugging. But it’s the X-Trail’s combination of practicality and value that makes it such a strong contender; a full-length sunroof, CD changer and Bluetooth phone connection are all included.