Keep death off the roads, buy a 4x4 - Nissan X-Trail road test

By Steve Orme on Dec 11, 08 01:01 PM

Further to the news that Britain is as safe as houses, not over-mortgaged ones obviously, I wouldn't suggest for one minute that now is the time to begin making cars from recycled cardboard.
Councils in many rural areas are doing their best to get the UK into line with the rest of Europe by keeping as many gritters off the road as possible, which is good for both climate change and the undertaking community.

Where I live, low temperatures are more likely to bring out a troupe of Polynesian hula dancers than anything with an orange light on top.
With this in mind a permanent reduction in the number of 4x4s is hardly likely. Sales may be flagging in the current climate but eventually the idea that you may pay an extra £2 a week in tax will be outweighed by the possibility of a protracted period eating hospital food.
Hence the need for all and sundry to launch a crossover during the last 12 months. A niche that does not embrace the Nissan X-Trail.
It may share its DNA with the Renault Koleos but the X-Trail is fully equipped for terrain that would make a crossover sick.
Aggressively bodied with a very reasonable 200mm ground clearance, the Mk II has a new chassis and steering which has improves its road manners considerably with good grip and a reduction in body roll.
How fast? Well push a six-speed 2.0-litre DCi Sport, looking at 10 seconds to 62mph and a top speed of 124mph. Not bad for a Staffordshire bull terrier.
Expect 40mpg and under 200g/km of tax-enhancing carbon.
Off road the All Mode 4WD system anticipates terrain changes, integrates the traction control, ABS and hill decent equipment and generally predicts the best way to keep you roof uppermost. Think of it as fitting Doris Stokes to your car.
Clearly whoever designed the interior had spent some time in trans-Atlantic containers. It is big and functional with an impressive equipment list but none of this gets in the way of work. Frankly, it all adds to the businesslike appeal although comfort has not been forgotten. Seats are well shaped and supportive and noise levels low.
My preference would be for an X-Trail before even peeping up the skirts of most of this year's crop of cross dressers. It looks hard and has the right economics. Above all it is safe.
Which is today's message for readers everywhere struggling with a lack of rock salt.
Keep death off the roads, buy a 4x4.