Getting on with the drive, the Nissan X-Trail is quiet and refined on the move. Weighing in at over 1,600 kg means it needs some decent oomph to get going and get a move on in a hurry—which the engine is capable of. The engine is paired with the new generation of the X-tronic CVT which allows the preset ratios to be held, like a gear, allowing for more consistent acceleration when needed. It also uses shift-by-wire tech for the drive-selector knob on the centre console—great for just choosing “R” (reverse) or “D” (drive), but fidgety when trying to select “N” for neutral when long traffic jams exhaust the idle stop-start capability and the powertrain is whirring away. Then, there are the drive modes—standard, Eco and Sport—which help better harness the variable compression ratio capability. Oh, and there are distinct changes in the exhaust soundtrack, too.
We were heading out of Gurugram and on to the new eight-lane Delhi-Mumbai expressway, some 85 km one way to our pit-stop where we’d break and head back the same way. Starting early meant less traffic and a slightly cooler temperature outside, though a taste of the damp and humid mid-day climate was already quite telling. Cold air is good for any engine and the 1.5 performed rather admirably, with little hint of turbo-lag, what with the ISG proving its mettle. While I would have liked to test the Nissan X-Trail with more people and some bags on board and start off an incline, circumstances meant I had to go about without box checked. Anyway, that’s what a road-test review is for.
The steering feel is quite firm and nicely weighted for an electric power-assisted rack and pinion. The Nissan X-Trail‘s suspension—a strut front and multi-link rear—is nicely sprung and well-damped making for a good ride even with the stock 20-inch wheels and 255/45 rubber. The boot volume is 585 litres with the two third-row seats plopped down and as much as 1,424 litres; measured up to the roof line with the second row tumbled as well. Nissan are focusing on the technology and comfort aspects of the X-Trail and hoping for it to carve a space for itself in what is a demanding segment. It does have some modern and sought-after goodies, such as the panoramic sunroof, a 360° surround camera with moving object detection, a wireless smartphone charger, a premium sound and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. It also packs seven airbags, including one central airbag between the front occupants.
Finally, is the Nissan X-Trail efficient? I started out with the smart info-display showing an indicated fuel economy of just below 10 km/l and, having spend a considerable amount of time on the highway with the cruise control set to 119 km/h—given that some speed-camera displays on the e-way showed 113 km/h while the rest showed 120 –meant I couldn’t play with true speed. Even so, an indicated 12.5 km/l is good for what it is—a huge car with a small engine; contrary to the rules of efficiency. But, alas, such is the world. The claimed efficiency of 13.7 seems achievable, too. With a 55-litre tank, that’s a range of about 600 kilometres, give or take.
The Nissan X-Trail packs good tech and space with an appreciable level of comfort for four, while providing the added flexibility of having a plethora of seat combinations for carrying all sorts of cargo while also being able to seat seven when needed.
This story was edited on 1 August 2024 with pricing details.
Need to Know – Nissan X-Trail 1.5 VC-Turbo MHEV CVT
Price: Rs 49.92 lakh (ex-showroom)
Engine: 1477-1497 cc, in-line three, port/direct injection, turbo-petrol, 12-volt mild-hybrid
Max Power: 163 hp @ 4800 rpm
Max Torque: 300 Nm @ 2800-3600 rpm
ISG Assist: <5 kW (6 hp), 6 Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable, automatic, front-wheel drive
Suspension: Strut front, multi-link rear
Weight: 1,660 kg (estimated)
