The era of the MPV has come to an end, or so Nissan says, even as it recognises the ongoing demand for seven-seater vehicles. To address this need, Nissan is introducing the fourth generation X-Trail, the rugged SUV that has attracted 140,000 UK customers in the past two decades.
For this new version, Nissan has reinforced the design, although there’s still an element of Qashqai XL about the car’s appearance. The X-Trail is undeniably eye-catching, though, particularly in the Champagne silver metallic hue of our test model. Its upright front, striking LED lighting, and boxy yet contemporary structure contribute to an appealing and modern aesthetic.
What’s even more modern is the drivetrain. Gone is the traditional diesel engine, replaced by a 1.5-litre petrol engine backed up with electricity. The entry-level to the range adds some mild hybrid power to the front-wheel drive setup, but we’re in the more powerful e-Power e-4ORCE model with two electric motors and four-wheel-drive.
E-Power is far more than just another hybrid system. We’ve already seen it in the Qashqai, and it works just the same here; the petrol engine works as a generator, creating electricity stored in a 2.1kWh battery pack. That then feeds the electric motors that drive the car. At no point does the engine drive the wheels, giving the Nissan X-Trail something of an electric car sensation while mitigating any range anxiety issues.
Only ‘something’ of that sensation, though. While there’s the promise of EV-like instant power and smooth responses, the illusion can be easily shattered. Gently bimbling around the city is delightful, with that EV surge of torque available and the engine genuinely inaudible in the cabin. Move outside of the urban sprawl to something more demanding — accelerating onto a motorway or even just a long hill — and the petrol generator revs up, making a rather unpleasant noise and reminding everybody that you’re not quite as eco-conscious as you might appear.
That’s true when you look at the economy, too. Officially, 43.1mpg is on the cards, and we ended up with an average of 39.2mpg after hundreds of miles of mixed roads, which is no improvement over the old diesel-powered model. In the X-Trail’s defence, the journey included a lengthy section of forest track — where economy wasn’t a consideration — which the SUV coped with admirably. Even on 20-inch wheels, the soft suspension absorbed most of the ruts, bumps and tree branches lying around on the ground.
It proved its rugged capabilities further at an off-road centre, where we took the Nissan X-Trail around a reasonably demanding course. It wasn’t anything that would have any off-roader breaking into a sweat, but it’s a fair bet that it was beyond what 99% of X-Trail buyers would ever subject their vehicle to.
As capable as it is, it’s better on the road than off it. The twin electric motors have a party trick that improves the ride quality, as well as offering potent performance. By automatically adjusting power delivery and regenerative braking levels between the front and rear motors, the computers can minimise pitching in the car, keeping it level even under hard braking.
That keeps the cabin comfortable, which now has a stylish if not exactly ground-breaking, design. It’s taken an enormous amount of inspiration from the latest Qashqai, with plenty of black plastics. Still, it’s lifted by plenty of metallic highlights and some wonderful, but optional, tan leather. It’s not expected to be popular in the UK, where we’ll stick with black or grey trim, but I’d encourage you to consider splashing out. Top-spec models also get diamond-stitched upholstery — with laser-guided stitching, no less.
The driver gets a 12.3-inch screen instead of a traditional instrument cluster, which is clear and reasonably customisable, with a head-up display floating above. This is large, crisp and provides practical rather than overwhelming levels of information. The centre console gets another 12.3-inch infotainment screen, but Nissan has resisted the temptation to shoehorn every option onto the screen. That means there are still physical buttons for the climate control and a rotary knob for the radio volume.
Front passengers get plenty of space, as you would expect given the size of the car, with delightfully comfortable seats. Those in the rear seats are also well looked after, with a bench that slides back and forth by as much as 22cm, creating huge amounts of legroom. Of course, slide it back, and the boot shrinks, but there are 575 litres of space to start with, leaving plenty spare.
Nissan is keen to remind buyers that a seven-seat option is available. The third row of seats is hidden under the boot floor and pops up quickly with the tug of a fabric strap, but there’s not much space once they’re up. Nissan claims they’re fine for kids up to 1.6 metres tall. After folding all 1.8m of me in there, that seems about right. Access is relatively easy, with seats that fold and slide forward and rear doors that open to 85 degrees. That’ll also be a boon for parents struggling with child seats.
All that starts from £32,030, but you’ll need to move up a grade (£1,675) if you want the optional seven seats (£1,000), while four-wheel drive and the e-Power electric drivetrain adds £4,635. And then you’ll want the N-Connecta grade or higher for a more pleasant experience in the cabin. Soon you’re looking at over £42,000, rising to more than £48,000 for the top model. That’s strong pricing, but good finance deals and expected high residual values should mitigate the pain.
For those that need all seven seats, the X-Trail isn’t as persuasive as a traditional, dedicated MPV, but it offers a compelling option for families seeking versatility. Accommodating occasional extra passengers, carrying sports equipment, or embarking on weekend camping adventures to forests and parks, the Nissan X-Trail makes a pleasing and premium case for itself.
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