Adventurers in search of a compact SUV to suit their active schedules should look at the Nissan X-Trail
p>Adventurers in search of a compact SUV to suit their active schedules should look at the Nissan X-Trail
Inside the X-Trail, the Nissan designers have made a concerted effort to raise the quality of materials and lift the general ambience of the cabin. An additional 10mm rear passenger knee thanks to meticulous front seat trim modifications and the improved interior comfort levels are further assisted by the plusher upholstery on cloth-equipped models. Better colour-coordination of interior materials, higher-quality materials, a more aesthetically pleasing treatment of the bottom A Pillar, and new chrome-look switch and air vent surrounds create an airy ambience rich in perceived quality. 
As well as being more comfortable than ever, the new X-Trail is exceptionally practical, boasting intelligently thought-out nooks and binnacles for oddments storage in all the right places. There’s a double slide-out luggage “drawer” compartment beneath the rear load bed, ideal for those extras you might need for your weekend leisure activities, while the glove box as well as cup-holders in the front and rear feature heating and cooling functions as standard. As for boot space, again the X-Trail leads the SSUV class, boasting more than enough luggage-carrying ability for even the heavily-packed family!
The cabin is further enhanced for the driver by the addition of the latest technology and new instrument cluster, incorporating a new drive computer with a bevy of new informational options. The new instruments are clearer and more legible under all lighting conditions, while looking crisper and smarter than ever before.
Slip the gear lever into reverse on the range-topping LE model, and the 3.3” QVGA display for the rear-view camera lights up in your main rear-view mirror, delighting the driver with its display clarity and built-in reversing assistance in the form of trajectory markings which show exactly where your X-Trail will be going based on current steering angles. This vehicle marks the first time this advanced system has been employed in a Nissan vehicle, and the display can be deactivated if the driver prefers, with the switch located in the interior mirror.
Comments Terry Mashoko, SUV product manager at Nissan South Africa; “This new system is perfectly blended with the rear-view mirror, and when not functional you can’t see any edges where the screen is installed in the rear-view mirror itself. Customers will also be very impressed with the sheer, high-resolution quality of the rear-view display, making it user friendly and a great addition to our luxurious X-Trail LE.”
The X-Trail LE also receives a new Intelligent Key, which operates off a transponder integrated into the key itself making it unnecessary to even remove this physical item from your pocket to access and start the vehicle up. Simply open the door by stepping up to it and lightly touching a rubberised button on the handle, slide behind the wheel, and turn the moulded-on “key” to fire the engine for the ultimate in access convenience.
SE models have also had their specifications uprated, and now feature automatic headlights as well as rain-sensing windscreen wipers, and Bluetooth communications with control buttons mounted on the multifunction steering wheels, which also houses controls for the entertainment system and cruise control functions.
X-Trail XE customers can be assured of higher than ever safety levels thanks to the standard fitment of curtain and front side airbags as well as speed-sensing automatic door locking mechanism.
Perfectly matched drivetrains
The new X-Trail is offered with the same highly-developed and powerful drivetrains as before, which have proven so efficient that reducing emissions has required intelligent engineering in other areas rather than further tweaking of the power plants.
Beginning with the XE grade, customers can choose between the effortless, high-tech 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine mated to a sturdy, reliable manual gearbox, or a free-revving 2.0-litre petrol mill again using the same manual transmission. SE-grade diesel X-Trails employ a smooth-shifting automatic gearbox for the most undemanding drive in all conditions, while petrol X-Trail SEs deliver the ample power of their 2.5-litre engines to the wheels via a manual gearbox.
The range-topping LE once again employs the superb 2.0-litre diesel and automatic gearbox combination, with the petrol models enjoying exceptional economy as well as an even smoother drive thanks to the high-tech CVT gearbox fitted as standard. This adjustable-ratio transmission delivers the perfect combination between low-rev fuel economy and always-available power without ever interrupting the sheer smoothness of power delivery from the perfectly-balanced petrol motor.
These drivetrain options allow the X-Trail to be exactly what the customer wants, whether a fan of the frugality and incredible punch of the modern turbo diesel, or more inclined towards the free-revving and silken delivery of a well-developed petrol motor. Similarly, whether you prefer the convenience of an automatic transmission or the involvement of a manual, there’s an X-Trail model which will fulfill your desires. And you can rest assured that the drivetrain technology in every X-Trail on the showroom floor is optimized to deliver the lowest emissions and fuel consumption possible, without compromising on the rugged abilities or refined urban crawling one iota.
Unmatched capability
As well as being a comfortable and highly practical vehicle on the whole, the new X-Trail retains its rugged, multi-purpose character, mixing refined every day usability with exemplary off-road credentials. A ground clearance of 203mm positions X-Trail as one of the class leading leading SSUVs for raw off-road potential, and also allows for excellent ramp-over angles on extremely bumpy terrain, while the all-mode 4X4-I drivetrain with additional traction benefits from the ABLS (Active Brake Limited Slip Differential) delivers the best possible footing on even the most slippery surfaces. 
To further assist the adventurous, the new X-Trail now features an Advanced Hill Descent Control (AHDC) system which allows the driver to specify the preferred rate of descent, between 4 and 15km/h, depending on prevailing conditions. The Hill Start Assist (HSA) setup makes ascending gradients as easy as stepping off the foot-brake and onto the throttle, without any juggling of the handbrake, for unfussed progress up and over the obstacle.
On the road, Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) acts as a silent guardian to ensure that the driver and passengers are kept safe from unexpected conditions by monitoring an array of wheel and yaw sensors to maintain traction and control at all times. Braking is actively controlled by ABS to prevent wheels from locking during emergency stops, and a very rigid structure combined with extensive active safety features like a full complement of airbags are there to improve occupant protection should an accident occur.
Even more X-Life for the living
The X-Trail’s sportier new stance and significantly uprated interior enhance the already very dependable and versatile platform further still, entrenching this vehicle as the leading SSUV contender for customers looking for the best of all worlds. High-tech, high-quality interior accommodations, a striking and visually arresting new appearance, and a superbly comfortable and refined drive whether dropping the kids at school or heading somewhere remote for leisure activities on days of down-time, the Nissan X-Trail delivers every time.
“The Nissan X-Trail may be sportier and more rounded a package than ever, but it remains the only authentic SUV in this market segment, combining style with strength, comfort with durability, and providing an excess of sheer versatility all of the time. This new model represents what we see as the pinnacle of the evolution of the SSUV, packed with the technology the modern customer demands without any compromise on the respected capabilities of Nissan off-road products. And the fact that it is priced more competitively than ever just makes it the ideal all-round package,”
“In short, it is the perfect partner for living the modern X-Life, and we expect it to consolidate its position as the market leader on these unmatched strengths,” concludes Mashoko.
