Nissan X-Trail review: still living in the Qashqai’s shadow?

The Nissan X-Trail is the largest car in the maker’s UK lineup, but has long lived in the shadow of its smaller SUV sibling, the Nissan Qashqai. The latest X-Trail offers a boxier, more upright stance, and is available with five or seven seats. Plenty has been done to improve on the previous version which was looking rather dated. So, all things considered, can the X-Trail make a name for itself like Britain’s best-selling car of 2022, the Qashqai? Rich finds out.

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00:00 - Introduction
01:19 - Interior & Technology
03:10 - Trim levels & specifications
03:44 - Practicality & boot space
05:54 - Engines & driving impressions
07:44 - Running costs
08:44 - Dealmakers & Dealbreakers
09:39 - Verdict

[NordicMeatShield]

The E-Power E4orce Is a fully electric car with a petrol generator to charge the battery so you don't have to wait around for charging which mostly runs on the battery with the engine coming in when needed which you don't really notice. i've owned one for a few months now coming from an Audi Q7 3.ltr V6. the X-tail is fast off the line for getting in and out of traffic and overtaking while still feeling like a comfy family cruiser more than sporty. the steering is very light with the power steering and feels like you are driving a luxury car, it's lovely to drive, i'm getting around 36mpg around town and 44mpg on the motorway. it's very spacious in 5 seat mode but the 3rd row is really only any good for people/children up to 5ft2 because of the leg room. you can make it work for taller people by sliding the middle row forward but then the middle row gets a little cramped too. overall i'm very impressed, not quite at the level of my Audi Q7 but not far behind but has much better fuel economy

[KaKA-mtei]

I don’t normally watch British reviews because of all the corny jokes, but this guy is different very smooth and no silly unfunny jokes.

[owenmcdonald]

We miss out on the 1.5 210HP model that's available in the US.
It was well reviewed by the US, you tubers.

[brianross]

I'm a bit surprised you didn't mention the safety features or the driver assist features. I have one on order and as a generally economical driver I'm going to be very interested in my actual economy. I would back myself to beat Nissan's official figures but we'll see in due course 🙂

[MyJammy]

Have you done a review on the 2014-2018 version ?

[rhysmainwaring]

Unpopular opinion but I'd go for the basic version without the touch screen and use it as the rugged versatile vehicle it's designed for. Less to go wrong as well

[johntrinick]

It would have been useful to know it's towing capacity.

[eugenereivillanueva]

The New X-Trail. Rivals the Kia Sorento

[bobthebarsteward]

Touch screen, pah, give me a nice button or rotary dial anytime lol. Reach for a touch button while going down a bumpy road in the dark whilst trying to keep your eyes on the road, because you want to turn a demister on, and next thing you know Radio 4 is blaring out at max volume because your finger was bounced to the wrong part of the screen.

[ronpower]

Where is the XTrail more plush than the Qashqai? It has the same dashboard, door panels and all materials are more or less identical, given the differences between lines. The center console is different, while using the same materials as in the Qashqai. It even suffers from not sufficient leg room for long legged drivers just as the Qashqai. I really wonder who decided to put plastic leather in the Tekna version...real leather has a bad climate in summer, plastic fake leather is just dumb to use for a car seat on anything else than a taxi.

[animationcreations]

Still not as good as the T31 X-Trail though in terms of boot space!

Not having a touch screen on the base model I see as a positive, it means they HAVE to have physical buttons for all the essentials!

[MattHealey.]

My gf’s step dad had the previous one. I’m only 5’8 but there was just no headroom in the back.

[softlylolalunar]

Why would you compare the boot size to a Kia Sorrento? Totally different car type. The Australian reviews are much better. However, it is indeed shocking to have a 2023 car (even entry level) without touch-screen/Carplay!!

[Beorn.]

I did look at one of these but was disappointed with the quality of the interior, ended up with a Mazda instead that has a really nice interior.

[stevejewiss]

How is it better inside than the Qashqai? It's exactly the same apart from a few details. It's based on the Qashqai so it's not gonna be that different. And the E power really isn't worth the extra bother, it doesn't get you any mpg in the real world.