Skip advert
Advertisement

Nissan X-Trail

We like driving our white X-Trail, but it’s still a lot of effort to wash the dirt off!

Avg. savings
£6,353 off RRP*
Pros
  • Extra-large sunroofs are all the rage judging by the number of test cars we see fitted with them – and our Nissan has a big one as standard. It allows plenty of light into the cabin and makes the X-Trail great for car-to-car photography!
Cons
  • There’s nothing wrong with the way the X-Trail has been assembled, and the interior works really well – but the cabin plastics are all very hard. It lacks the tactile quality of the more upmarket Land Rover Freelander.
Find your Nissan X-Trail
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Clean me! That’s what you see written in the dirt on white vans – and now I know why! Trying to keep our long-term Nissan X-Trail whiter than white
takes serious elbow grease.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve gone to the local garage for a jet wash, and the wash/wax/rinse cycle is far too familiar for my liking. The owner must think I’ve got some kind of obsession, but unless the pearlescent white paint is sparkling, I’m not happy.

Advertisement - Article continues below

As Auto Express’s staff photographer, the interior usually gets a tough time, but the normal scuffs from camera bags and cases have been avoided thanks to the
Nissan’s hard-wearing cabin.

However, a trip to the recycling centre with a large load did leave a lasting mark. After I was forced to brake hard by other traffic, a piece of wood made a couple of small holes in the passenger-side rear door panel – but thankfully this looks repairable. Meanwhile, on a recent group test I got to experience the Nissan in its natural habitat when it met its main rivals (Issue 1,026).

For the test we headed to north Wales – and after five hours’ driving I appreciated just how refined the X-Trail is. Sixth gear cruising is very relaxed and quiet for an off-roader. Hit the mud, though and its clever 4x4 set-up keeps you moving. Changing from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive using the selector switch makes more traction instantly available. The rotary switch is right by the gearlever, so it couldn’t be easier to change between the three settings: 2wd, 4wd and a 4wd lock.

The Nissan finished as runner-up in our test to the Freelander, which is a good showing. I ran the Land Rover before the Nissan arrived and I loved it. However, the X-Trail has a more honest feel. It may lack the overall quality of the Freelander, but it’s cheaper, bigger and almost as comfortable. If only I’d chosen a more practical colour!

Second Opinion

As Pete mentioned, the X-Trail ran the class-leading Land Rover Freelander close in a compact SUV group test that I took part in back in Issue 1,026 – and for good reason. Our white long- termer might be constantly in need of a wash, but it can show many hatchbacks a clean pair of heels thanks to its powerful 2.0-litre dCi diesel engine. And it’s not only fast – the SUV’s tidy handling makes the X-Trail an entertaining drive, plus as our off-road test proved, it’s great in the rough stuff, too.

Ross Pinnock
Road tester

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Nissan X-Trail

Nissan X-Trail

RRP £36,225Avg. savings £6,353 off RRP*Used from £27,999
Peugeot 5008

Peugeot 5008

RRP £38,590Avg. savings £5,875 off RRP*Used from £16,357
KIA Sorento

KIA Sorento

RRP £41,375Avg. savings £2,850 off RRP*Used from £26,388
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £13,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025