Even many petrolheads don’t know that SUV stands for sports utility vehicle—and no car lives up to that title more than the Nissan X-Trail, tailormade for those itching to load up with a surfboard or trekking equipment and head for the nearest beach (or mountain).
What’s more, the X-Trail comes with up to seven seats, making it an attractive alternative to an MPV. In a nutshell, it’s the perfect vehicle for big families ready for an adventure.
Some versions of the X-Trail come with E-4orce, Nissan’s electric motor on both the front and rear axles, giving the four-wheel–drive with extra traction. In fact, all versions of the X-Trail come with some form of hybrid electrification, from the entry-level mild–hybrid to the part-electric e-POWER—part-electric referring to the fact that the e-POWER’s wheels are driven solely by electric motors, while a turbocharged petrol engine charges the battery.
Even then, the X-Trail naturally faces stiff competition from an army of versatile large SUVs and seven-seaters, not least the Mazda CX-60, Kia Sorento, Peugeot 5008 and Hyundai Santa Fe. But before we delve too deeply into how it shapes up against its rivals, let’s check in with the X-Trail’s key stats.
| Brand-new price range | £33,000–£49,000 |
| Car Planet price range | £14,000–£17,000 / £284–£339 a month |
| Trims | 5 |
| Engines | 3 |
| Available fuels | Petrol, hybrid |
| mpg range across all versions | 37–49 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60,000 miles |
| Company car tax at 20% (min/max) | £2,200 / £3,310 |
| Company car tax at 40% (min/max) | £4,400 / £6,620 |
Equipment, options and extras
If you want to keep costs down, you’d best avoid the entry-level Visia trim—it covers the basics, but that’s about it. Instead, try the Acenta Premium: it adds extra kit including Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and dual-zone climate control.
Next up is the N-Connecta—and it’s our trim of choice, because it balances cost and equipment, boasting an upgraded infotainment system with a larger touchscreen and introducing navigation. It also replaces traditional instrument dials with a 12in digital display and adds rear privacy glass, keyless entry and start, wireless phone charging, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. But you might want to consider the range-topping Tekna and Tekna+, which add more luxurious features like a head-up display, powered tailgate, upgraded stereo system, and 19- or 20in alloy wheels.
Costs, insurance groups, mpg and CO2
As a cash purchase, the Nissan X-Trail is competitively priced compared to its rivals the Škoda Kodiaq and Peugeot 5008—and they don’t come with hybrid tech. In fact, if you want a seven-seater with a hybrid engine you’ll need to spend a lot more—on the Kia Sorento or Hyundai Santa Fe, for instance.
And here’s some even better news: the X-Trail is predicted to hold on to its value as well as the Kodiaq, and should depreciate even more slowly than the Santa Fe. That will help you when buying on finance. In the meantime, in terms of fuel economy, the two-wheel–drive e-POWER is especially economical, while the VC-Turbo mild–hybrid is the least economical. The former is also the best choice for company car drivers by virtue of its extremely low CO2 emissions, which draw the lowest company car tax monthly payments. Although make sure to check out the Santa Fe plugin hybrid as well—its payments are even lower than those of the two-wheel–drive e-POWER.
Safety and security
Every Nissan X-Trail comes with a shedload of safety kit, including speed limit adjustment, lane-departure prevention, blind spot monitoring, traffic sign monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian recognition.
Reliability
The Nissan X-Trail comes with a 3-year or 60,000-mile warranty which includes roadside assistance and a courtesy car. You can extend the cover to up to 6 years, although that’s fairly pricey compared to the extended warranties on some of the X-Trail’s rivals. For example, Hyundai offers a standard 5-year warranty on the Santa Fe, and Kia trumps even that with a class-leading 7 years on its Sorento.
The Car Planet verdict
The Nissan X-Trail’s e-POWER hybrid system brings smooth driving manners and fuel economy figures verging on the miraculous. The primary issue prospective buyers have to contend with is that plenty of the X-Trail’s rivals are more ‘adept’ seven-seaters, offering more space and greater versatility. But still, as large SUVs go, the X-Trail is a quiet, spacious and comfortable cruiser—and ideal for families in search of adventure.
Car Planet are experts in used cars in Watford and Hertfordshire. Our virtual viewings mean you can check out a car from the comfort of your own home, or you can come in and view our cars in person. Every car goes through a thorough 150-point check to ensure it’s totally roadworthy. We’re transparent, too: we always display the details of a car’s imperfections. We care about sustainability, which is why we plant a tree for every car we sell, and we provide a 7-day money-back guarantee to any customer who isn’t absolutely satisfied with our service. With our competitive finance deals and part exchanges, you’re sure to find what you need, so check out our selection of secondhand Nissan X-Trails today and let’s get the ball rolling!
