Nissan X-Trail: Power Packed Practicality Seven-Seater SUV Review

Nissan X-Trail : This is the Nissan X-Trail, the solo 7seater in the Nissan lineup. And if this car was a football team, it’d be West Ham United. It hasn’t always been easy on the eye, but recent upgrades has led to more success. And ultimately, it’s a much nicer watch.

And in this article, we’re going to delve deeper into Nissan X-Trail to see how Nissan have boosted the X-Trail up the rankings in terms of the seven seats on market.

But if you are interested in one of these, then we can see on the Glenn Hopkin Nissan website, you can get a brand new Nissan X-Trail from as little as $399 a month.

Evolution of Seven-Seaters

Now, when we hear the term sevenseater, we often cast our minds back to how seven seaters used to look 10, 15 years ago. That were definitely more practical rather than style.

And Nissan X-Trail is living proof that sevenseaters can actually provide not only style, good design, but a good driving experience as well.

Exterior Design and Road Presence

And although the front of this car has somewhat similarities to the first edition Nissan X-Trail, it’s clear that this is much more keener on the first edition. It looked a bit boxy, looks a bit clumpy.

You know, this grill section is essentially just been stretched out from that first generation with the implication of Nissan’s Votion grill, which you kind of did see on the first and second edition, but we can all agree this is much nicer. This is a stylish car.

And it’s weird because if you look at it low down, it has similarities to the Nissan Juke with the way the bonnet sort of bevels up at the edges.

But then if you look closer at the way the LED headlights are formed against that center grill, may I say the word Land Rover Defender, it has that sort of similarity about it.

Has that rugged edge, you know, this accentuated bumper parts which have been added over the years.

All in all, the front of this car, I think it’s a bit of a looker.

Side Profile and Practical Touches

At the siding, you’re still getting a very smart looking sevenseater. you have that contrasting roof with them roof rails depending on your spec.

This chrome strip rear privacy glass and 18 or 19in wheels depending on your spec.

Rear Door Practicality

One thing I do want to point out that really adds the practicality of the Nissan Extra is I’ll show you later on the how the rear two seats work to make this a sevenseater.

But one thing that really adds the practicality of that is the back doors open to nearly 90°. If I was playing pedantic, I’d say it’s about 89 degrees coming out.

Meaning to get into the rear seats, it you get so much more room.

And even if you aren’t going to that third row, if you have young kids and are in car seats, just makes it much more practical.

Interior Comfort and Usability

And although I mentioned at the start of how the Nissan XL sort of evolved from just being a practical SUV, it’s kind of is one of the most practical cars out there whilst also adding that bit of style.

It has really up the ranks and the same can certainly be said about the interior.

Now, being a 5’5 individual, a 4×4 isn’t necessarily my go-to. And can you blame me?

One thing I will say is driving about in the extra, I haven’t felt that this car is necessarily too big for me.

The whole driving feel, the user friendliness of this car means that it’s really suitable for all.

Cabin Features

And the interior really shows that because you have lots of space.

You have a good amount of storage in your center console.

Obviously, two cup holders, wireless phone charging pad, which come from standard, and also wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Nice finish across the dash with contrasting stitching to that leather, the chrome effects, metallic effects in the center console.

And throughout the specs, you do get different patterns and style on the seat.

And essentially what you’d expect, you go up the rankings, you pay more, you’re going to get a nicer interior. Simple as.

But the base spec still offers quite a lot.

Pricing and Variants

So then, how much is a Nissan XL going to set you back?

We’d be glad to hear there’s not necessarily going to break the bank.

There are five spec levels to choose from within this extra starting from the £36,000 mark going all the way up to about the £45,000 mark.

Standard Features

And one thing you’d be glad to know is the base spec, the Asenta Premium comes with a lot of driving needs that you kind of would find necessary on today’s roads.

Things like wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charger, intelligent cruise control, lane departure warning, multiple driving modes, and rear view camera.

So, the base spec is still going to give a rather all-rounded car.

Higher Variants

When you go up the specs, it’s more about styling features.

Things like rear privacy glass, panoramic sunroof, heated seats.

They’re the things that come the premium specs.

Technology and Driving Experience

Coming back to the interior and you get a 12.3 in infotainment screen.

The base spec only has an 8.7 in infotainment screen, but it’s still more than enough and it has all your driving needs.

Coming over to digital dash which comes as standard I previously mentioned and you have everything you need and you can actually integrate your built-in satnav to that driver’s display.

Drive Modes and Controls

All your controls nicely presented on your leather wrapped steering wheel.

Do like the fact that it doesn’t cover your digital dash at all no matter sort of where you position it.

Multiple drive modes selected in your center console.

And these are snow, standard, eco and sport.

And also the addition of off-road because this is a 4×4 7seater.

e-Power Technology Explained

But you’re probably thinking, what is e- power?

Well, it’s a very impressive system and unique to Nissan.

Normally across the car market, when you get a hybrid car, especially an SUV, it’ll have a petrol engine run alongside an electric motor essentially to get more out of your driving rate to make it a bit more economical.

While the Nissan e- power works in a slightly different way because the petrol engine charges the electric motor, which means you drive fully off electricity.

You get that instant torque.

You get an EV driving experience without need to charge up.

Performance Figures

You get two powertrain options.

Both come with a 1.5 L engine.

One providing 161 brake horsepower, the other with e power 201.

Your powertrain without e power is going to provide 0 time of about 10 seconds.

When it comes to actual e- power, it goes down to about 7.3.

Space and Seating Practicality

Plenty of tech and safety features with plenty of space including 585 L boot capacity depending if you have a 5 or 7 seat configuration.

Yes, I would say rear passes would be more than comfortable in the back of the Nissan XR.

There is so much leg room.

Third Row Usability

In terms of space in the back, then I would say there’s an okay amount of space.

I mean, it is pretty tight back here.

If you do have any sixfooters, they would definitely have to go in the front or the second row.

Conclusion

But when you’re thinking about the price of it and the actual style and performance of this car, for me, it’s a well-rounded vehicle.

And if you want to find out more about the X-Trail or any of its Nissan counterparts, then contact Glenn Hopkin Nissan.