Nissan X-Trail

Leather upholstery, classy looking surfaces, and contemporary design—the Nissan X-Trail’s cabin is easy to appreciate. The steering wheel is designed for convenience, with a D-shape that makes it easier to get in and out of the driver’s seat, and audio and drive controls for those with opposable thumbs. The center console boasts a large color display that puts everything you need within easy reach. 

Those worried about storage will enjoy the X-Trail’s 565-liter cargo capacity outback. Flat-folding 50:50 rear seats raise that number to 1996 liters. Need more space for passengers? The X-Trail can be ordered with a third-row seat, pushing seating capacity to six. Just make sure you only put kids in the third row, as the space is extremely cramped.

A panoramic sunroof adds upmarket appeal, and there’s a roof rack for those looking for more utility. Infotainment system centers on a 5-inch QVGA system with CD/Tuner/MP3/Aux/USB along with Bluetooth and iPod connectivity.

The Nissan X-Trail has a very imposing name, but it doesn’t quite translate to the car’s overall design, which favors a sleeker style over ruggedness. Though the vehicle is plenty attractive, Nissan’s design choice may turn-off those who prefer their SUV to be sporty. That said, the straightforward exterior will please many a family man and maybe even lifestyle couples.

The X-Trail measures 4690 mm long, 1830 mm wide, and 1740 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2705 mm. The front façade is characterized by Nissan’s V-Motion grille and boomerang lamp signature, the latter of which also makes an appearance at the rear. Buyers get five paint finishes to choose from, including Nissan’s new signature color, Premium Corona Orange.

The X-Trail’s ride and handling come as a pleasant surprise, combining decent on-road persona with a brawly off-road character. The steering provides adequate feedback, and the 4x4 supplies an impressive amount of grip. The CVT is another plus as well, providing a crisp response whenever you need it. Low speed and small space maneuvering is a chore though, because of the stiffness of the steering wheel.

The Nissan X-Trail is offered in two engine options: a 2.0-liter gasoline unit that’s good for 142 hp and 200 Nm installed in the 4x2 trim, and a more powerful 2.5-liter gas mill with 168 hp and 233 Nm, which is equipped in the 4x4 variant. Both engines are mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Though these numbers are respectable enough for a daily driver, they may leave SUV purists a bit disappointed. Fortunately, the X-Trail makes up for the shortcomings of its engine with sturdy and reliable off-road prowess.

The Nissan X-Trail relies on front and rear discs for braking. Basic safety features for this Nissan crossover include driver and front passenger airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, seatbelts, and seatbelt reminder. There’s also a cruise control system for less footwork during long trips. Safety is further elevated by the Nissan Intelligent Mobility suite, which includes Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection, Forward Collision Warning with Forward Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist. An intelligent all-wheel-drive system is installed in the 4x4 variant.

The Nissan X-Trail may not be the first model that crosses your mind when you think of crossovers, but its city smarts make it a worthy urban driver to own. The 4x2 model costs PHP 1,534,000, while the 4x4 trim is priced at PHP 1,820,000. This puts the X-Trail in the affordable range, considering that many of its contemporaries cost in excess of PHP 2 million. The Nissan Intelligent Mobility System certainly helps its case as one of the safest options out there, which makes the X-Trail an ideal car to own for those with kids.