Say hello to…
…the latest Nissan X-trail, the brand’s large family SUV with the option of seven seats. Launched last year, the X-trail is now powered by a all-petrol all-hybrid engine line-up – both of the two engines are 1.5-litre units – however the most popular option called E-power is a full hybrid that runs mostly with the petrol engine operating as a generator, when needed, to charge the battery. In turn this powers the wheels. The battery also charges via regenerative braking. However, under greater acceleration, the engine can also directly power the wheels. It’s very similar to the engine found in the Qashqai.
Unlike the Qashqai the X-trial is not only available as a seven-seater, but also with the option of all-wheel drive which makes the car popular with those who need to tow or go off-road.
Five trim levels are available:
- Visia
- Acenta Premium
- N-connecta
- Tekna
- Tekna+
Standard equipment on the Visia includes 18-inch alloys, rear parking sensors, 7-inch driver’s display, adaptive cruise control, power adjust & fold door mirrors, 2x USB sockets, lane departure warning, high beam assist, drive modes, Bluetooth, manual aircon and blind spot warning.
Acenta Premium adds rear view camera, dual-zone climate control, 2x USB sockets, 8-inch infotainment screen, Android Auto and Apple Carplay.
N-connecta adds privacy glass, roof rails, wireless charging, 12.3-inch infotainment screen with connected services and wireless Android Auto & Apple Carplay.
Tekna adds a powered tailgate, side parking sensors, powered front seats with memory, tri-zone aircon, heated front and rear seats, heated windscreen, 10.8-inch head up display, 19-inch alloys, synthetic leather upholstery, glass sunroof and advanced adaptive cruise control.
Tekna+ adds 20-inch alloys, premium leather and a Bose sound system.
Is the Nissan X-trail suitable for my fleet?
For those company car drivers that need or want either a large SUV or have a requirement for seven seats and all-wheel drive the X-trail is a very attractive option without having to opt for a premium brand and the associated higher price.
While the X-tail may not yet be available as an EV or a PHEV, the hybrid does keep the CO2 down below maximum tax levels.
Leasing a Nissan X-trail
Intelligent Car Leasing is offering the X-trail with the 213hp 1.5, all-wheel drive and seven seats for £593 a month on a 3+36 contract with 20,000 miles a year. That’s a lot of car for the money. According to Gensen Reports monthly maintenance is likely to cost £70 a month and the Class 1A NIC payments will be £147.
Driving a Nissan X-trail
With all brands heading for electrification it’s great that Nissan offers a petrol hybrid seven seat SUV with all-wheel drive. Those drivers who need this kind of car often can’t fit a full EV into their use pattern.
What’s particularly impressive is the efficiency from Nissan’s hybrid system. We saw almost 40mpg over mostly motorway miles and higher figures in more urban settings.
The X-trial is refined and easy to live with and besides the efficiency, it’s also quick in 213hp guise (there’s also a 163hp version). The engine is refined at most speeds, and power delivery is smooth too.
Nissan offers the X-trail with several different drive modes, but unless you’re heading off-road and need additional all-wheel drive grip, it’s best left in standard mode.
As well as still offering the car as a petrol hybrid, Nissan has also kept all the right physical buttons and not opted to put everything in a touchscreen menu system. This means advancing songs on the stereo or changing the cabin temperature are super simple. That said, the infotainment screen is quick to respond to inputs and the menu structure is relatively easy to get to grips with.
In five-seat mode, the X-trail has acres of room. The seven seater has 485 litres of boot space in five-seat mode and while this is significantly reduced in seven-seat mode, it’s not as small as you may expect. And folding the seats is simple, as is access to the third row even if seats six and seven are best only used by kids.
The cabin also feels incredibly well built with high-grade materials that wouldn’t be out of place in more expensive rivals.
Overall, the X-trail proves that a mainstream value option can be the best option and fleets don’t always have to go premium to obtain the best equipment and the best quality.
Verdict on the Nissan X-trail
Nissan’s X-trial proves you don’t have to go premium to have a good driving, seven-seat 4×4 with all the kit.
Nissan X-trail
- Model: X-trail Tekna e-4orce 7-seats
- Power: 213hp
- Torque: 525Nm
- Max speed: 111mph
- 0-62mph: 7.2s
- Official fuel: 42.2mpg
- Test fuel: 39.2mpg
- CO2 emissions: 152g/km
- BIK tax band 2022/23: 35%
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