Nissan's X-Trail was one of the first of the now ubiquitous generation of soft-roaders, those rugged 4x4s for the mean city streets. Nissan nicely managed the blend of tough off-roading beast and soothing tarmac squeeze, realising quickly that it's the image that sells these cars and the drive that endears them.
The X-Trail is a comforting companion, swallowing up bumps in the city environment and cruising well at motorway speeds courtesy of well-damped suspension. Its handling is reasonably too, if you don't take the proverbial. It's better all-round if you stick to the road, though - the car might look tough, but would probably shriek at the sight of mud: that X-Trail name is a touch misleading.
The 4x4 option available for the car should be enough to get you out of a sticky situation, mind. The two-wheel drive version seems a little superfluous to us - a rugged SUV shouldn't be in danger of getting stuck somewhere too easily, and you can only take the pseudo-4x4 thing so far.
There is only the one engine available with the X-Trail, so it is a good job it's a decent one. The 2.0-litre DCi diesel is punchy enough to heave the car around whilst returning a respectable economy. It has a relaxed manner at motorway speeds, which contributes to the X-Trail's long-distance comfort.
Interior quality is decent and well-built, but not premium, which is to say fairly standard for a Nissan. Cabin space is respectable, although you might find that the rear seats lack legroom for taller passengers compared to some rivals. Boot space is decent, leading to massive once the seats are dropped to form an expansive flat load space.
The downside of the car is its poor depreciation and the fact that it's getting on a bit. If you are planning on keeping the X-Trail for a long time then it makes sense, but sell it on in three years' time and you might get a nasty surprise. The age factor means that the X-Trail missed the boat on the environmental front, and high CO2 emissions will mean increasingly punitive road tax each year.
Overall the X-Trail is a beefy and handsome car, which has much to recommend it; even if it has been usurped in many areas by younger and better-resolved rivals. Consider the X-Trail as an old-fashioned gentleman compared with some of the cruder young upstarts that are out there.