Nissan X-Trail Review

Provided by Independent.ie

I told you some time back about counting a huge proportion of cars with just one person in them. When you think about it, we drag an awful lot of car around for no reason much of the time. I still have the image of that little driver in a big car passing through White's Cross. What a waste.

Now I readily concede my reasoning is too simplistic, yet I remain fascinated by our ability to justify something on the basis of a remotely possible 'just-in-case'. I call it the rainy-day syndrome. I suffer from it myself. For example, I get uneasy if we're running low on teabags (of all things) so my minimum store is 250 in reserve. If I have to start into them, I feel compelled to go get another lot almost immediately. No sense to it. I know I'm not alone. I wonder if it's a psychological extension, in my case, of fretful foraging for scraps at boarding school?

Anyway, I'm blaming all that psychobabble on the new Nissan X-Trail. That's because you can have seven, as opposed to five, seats if you choose to. I'd love to know how many people would opt for them - as a precaution against infrequent demand. Let me know, please.

The cost of adding the third row is €1,100. Not bad. I think some will say they'd be handy to have to ferry their own clutch and friends to the under-10 football, school play rehearsals, camping, etc.

And there aren't too many motors with that sort of option (€550 a seat, albeit for smaller children).

But you will, I must point out, pay a penalty in fairly heavily restricted luggage space.

Anyway, the number of seats made little difference to me. I spent most of my time with only a couple of others on board.

The X-Trail, as you probably know, is a mid-size crossover aimed squarely at families. The emphasis is on tarmac driving but there are 4WD variants.

We were most comfortable and were more preoccupied with the 'connectivity' (lot of focus on music, social networking, entertainment apps, etc).

I had the top spec SVE but I recommend the mid-tier SV trim (from €32,600). It's better value. Sadly, you will miss the brilliant Around View monitor as standard but you can have it as an option. It gives you a 360-degree bird's eye view - as if you were looking down on the car. I parked in real tight spots a few times without taking my eyes off the monitor.

Speaking of visuals, I think the X-Trail now looks much more like the smaller, hugely popular, Qashqai. Not a bad thing. But, while it is a big and roomy motor, it is less a driver's car than little brother. Just lacked the edge. And there was some front-wheel torque spin on slippery roads.

I do like the idea of the sliding and reclining second row of seats. Family cars need that sort of flexibility. And they have this 'theatre' stepped layout which made it easier to get in and out. The optional duo at the back fold flat. Their presence is possible because the wheelbase is 76mm longer, though the car itself is just 17mm longer (4,643mm), a bit wider (30mm) and a whisker (5mm) lower.

They left little to chance in some areas. For example, they examined surfaces that get most wear (especially with families) and made much thicker pads for the door armrests and centre console. Good thinking in the boot area too. There is a double-load floor so you can easily put bigger stuff in one area and smaller in others. Nifty.

Power is another major area where people feel they want something in reserve. I wouldn't blame you if you look at this big structure and calculate it would need a 2-litre diesel at least.

It used to have a 2-litre. It doesn't now. It has a 1.6-litre, 4cyl, 128bhp diesel. I had an experienced colleague with me for some of the drive and he volunteered the opinion it was 'one lively engine'. I agree. It has plenty of pull and power.

Sometimes enough is plenty, though I've just noticed that we're running low on tea bags again.

We need to give our younger drivers a chance. Lord, I saw a young woman getting ferocious abuse (flashing lights and gesticulations) from an ould fella in a Merc the other day.

She was in a state. Indeed, I ­suspect, as I looked in my rear-view mirror after driving away from the lights, she pulled in to gather herself she was so shaken.

All she did was take the wrong lane at Donnybrook church. She realised she needed to be in the one on the inside and, fair dues, indicated, and began to edge in. I was watching from a few cars away.

But the bully boy in the Merc behind her saw the straight-ahead lights go red and blamed her for delaying his passage.

He honked the horn, made some strong hand gestures and flashed his lights as she, contritely, nudged in front of a driver with a more forgiving nature.

We all need to show a little more consideration for other drivers, but especially for those tenderly making their way on their own.

Nissan X-Trail crossover: facts and figures

1.6-litre diesel (128bhp, 5.3l/100km, 129g/km, motor tax from €270). Price from €30,950. Delivery, related charges extra.

Standard equipment: includes six air bags, cruise control + speed limiter, chassis control technology, 5ins driver assist display, Bluetooth, electric parking brake, CD/USB/aux-in + four speakers, air con, 60/40 rear bench folds, reclines, slides; 18-combo luggage system, 17ins alloys, electric/heated, mirrors.

SV (from €32,600): adds front fogs, auto headlamps/wipers, high-beam assist, forward emergency braking, parking sensors, dual zone air con, six speakers, electric folding mirrors.

SVE (tested) from €37,600: adds front heated seats, electric driver's seat, NissanConnect, around view monitor, DAB radio, park assist, driver fatigue alert, leather seats, 19ins alloys, silver roof rails, electric moonroof and tailgate.

Options: include seven seats (on test car).