Performance over good looks

The compact SUV market is burgeoning these days. With every car company having at least one to offer, most of the car brands are on their toes to make their models look better or even more attractive price wise.

So it is a bit puzzling why Nissan’s latest X-Trail hasn’t changed much since its last major change in 2007. Seeing it for the first time, you will definitely feel a bit of nostalgia: There’s the X-Trail’s familiar chunky wheel arches as well as the character lines running along the edges of the bonnet from the headlights to the windscreen. And who could forget the hyper rail roof lights?

Except for the front and rear lights, the grille and front fascia, the latest X-Trail still possesses that same rugged look and angular shape of its predecessor.

But while Nissan designers obviously adhered to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” ethos, the latest X-Trail is, believe it or not, a much improved version.

Global platform

The compact SUV is now fitted with Nissan’s “C” platform (which makes the latest X-Trail slightly larger than the FF-S platform-based predecessor) and a CVT transmission with 6-speed “manual” mode.

With breadth now wider by 4.8cm and length increased by 18.5cm, the latest X-Trail becomes more spacious for the occupants as well as for the things they would like to carry at the back.

Not only is the second row seats able to fold flat to accommodate bulkier and longer items, the latest X-Trail also features segmented drawer spaces underneath the cargo floor that allow smaller items to be stored in a more orderly fashion.

The new platform also bestowed the latest X-trail bigger a ride that, as this writer noticed, felt much better: more car-like feel, which most car buyers would expect in this type of SUV.

On the highway, the X-Trail 4WD’s 168 horsepower, 2.5-liter (gasoline) engine needed a little revving to get going. But once it started to hit its stride, the vehicle transforms into a more agile, more nimble machine thanks to its smooth-shifting Xtronic CVT transmission.

Perfect companion

As an everyday ride around the city, the X-Trail 4WD is more than perfect companion as it offers comfort: power seats in front, reliable and effective air-conditioning, chiller for two canned drinks, and even a cruise control (helpful along Commonwealth avenue in Quezon City where 60kph is imposed or in any roads for that matter where 100kph maximum is the limit).

The only shortcoming for this model is that its entertainment system has not evolved with the times as it offers no ready connection to play an iPod, the most ubiquitous music-playing device on the planet today.

All-Mode 4WD system

For car buyers who will look beyond the latest X-Trail’s good road-like manners and versatile interior, the model’s 4WD variant could be a deal breaker: Nissan equipped this variant with an All-Mode 4WD system that could be activated via a rotary switch located on the center console.

The knob is not hard to master: Default mode is the 2WD, which is what most of us will require as we drive around the city and in highways. This setting is optimized for everyday driving and for the achieving best fuel economy.

When this writer decided to explore a slightly rougher part of the road, the 4WD system switch to LOCK mode—this setting will automatically disengage and revert to AUTO mode once the speed gets over 40 kph—enabled the latest X-Trail 4WD to show its tenacious off-roading attitude.

But it was best not to get too carried away. While this P1.55-million vehicle offers a descent 4WD capability and ample ground clearance (20cm), one should remember that the latest X-Trail 4WD is not a hard core off-roader.

Nevertheless, the latest X-Trail 4WD will definitely attract adventurous families valuing performance over good looks.

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TAGS: Motoring, New Products, SUV