2008 Nissan X-TRAIL Reviews

With the X-Trail riding on a wave of popularity Nissan chose to tweak the compact SUV rather than re-invent it when it launched the new T31 model in 2007.As a result, the T31 looked very similar to the outgoing model, unless you got up close and saw the changes in detail.If you did that you would have seen it was longer, wider and taller, with more interior space, but it was also heavier.The 2.5-litre petrol engine was carried over with minor retuning, but the growing demand for diesel engines saw a turbo-diesel engine added to the range.In search of improved fuel consumption a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) became the automatic transmission option on the petrol engine.To meet the changing wants of SUV buyers, as more and more switched to the high-riding wagons, was the addition to the X-Trail range of a front-wheel drive model.By the time the T31 X-Trail was launched in 2007 the switch to SUVs, particularly compact models like the X-Trail, was in full swing.This new breed of buyers appreciated the practicality and versatility of a wagon, they liked the visibility of the high driving position, and while they weren’t necessarily going off road, they found the safety of all-wheel drive appealing.But they wanted more, hence the introduction of a turbo-diesel engine for better fuel economy, and a front-wheel drive model for those who had no desire at all to go off-roading.The T31 was launched with a revised model range, which was made up of ST, ST-L, and Ti with petrol engines, and the TS and TL with turbo-diesel engines.Entry to the T31 X-Trail club was through the ST, which boasted an extensive list of standard features, among them air-conditioning, a tilt-adjustable steering column, CD player and four-speaker sound, remote/keyless central locking, cruise control, variable intermittent wipers, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, power windows and mirrors, a rear wiper and washer, roof rails, a vanity mirror, cloth trim, and a trip computer. Metallic paint was optional.A step up to the ST-L added 17-inch alloy wheels, six speakers, climate control for the air-conditioning, an in-dash CD stacker, MP3 compatibility, front fog lights, and chrome exterior highlights.On top of all that, the Ti also came with power front seats, leather trim, and a sunroof.The diesel-powered TS was similarly equipped to the ST-L, the TL similar to the Ti.The spare wheel was full-sized until 2012 when a space saver spare was introduced.Bluetooth was added in 2009 allowing an iPhone or Android device to be connected.A MY10 update saw the ST-L get heated front seats and leather trim, the Ti got 18-inch alloy wheels, a DVD player, parking sensors, a reversing camera, and sat-nav.Another update in MY11 saw the release of front-wheel drive only versions of the ST and ST-L. At the same time Ti buyers were treated to automatic xenon headlamps, rain-sensing wipers, and keyless entry and drive away.The spare wheel was full-sized until 2012 when a space saver spare was introduced.There was no touch screen, or park assist system.The cabin had accommodation for five in a roomy and comfortable environment.Gone was the annoying centre-mounted speedo and other gauges that so many criticized in the T30; in its place was a more conventional dash in front of the driver.There were plenty of storage options, including the centre console, a cooled glovebox, door pockets in the front doors, and cupholders in the front and rear.The boot was a generous 633 litres with the rear seat in position, and 1651 litres when the split-fold rear seat was folded flat.The 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine carried over from the earlier model, but had lower noise, vibration and harshness levels, better fuel economy, and its mid-range response was improved.With VVT variable valve timing the double overhead camshaft engine put out 125kW (167 horsepower) at its power peak, and maximum torque of 226Nm.The engine was a willing performer with solid mid-range performance, but with extra weight to haul around its zip was dulled a little compared to the T30.To meet the growing demand for diesel engines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine was added to the range in 2008.At its peaks it produced 127kW (170 horsepower), and 336 Nm of torque, and delivered the fuel-consumption savings motorists were looking for along with the smooth drivability that comes with a good level of pulling power.Those buyers who chose the petrol engine had the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a CVT auto, the latter with six preset ratios to make it feel more like a conventional automatic.With a little more weight to haul around the petrol engine isn’t the zippiest performer.The turbo-diesel came with a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a conventional six-speed automatic transmission.Final drive was courtesy of an improved version of Nissan’s acclaimed 'All-Mode' system, which offered three modes of operation; front-wheel drive, automatic, or 4WD lock for off-road driving up to 40 km/h. Hill start and descent assistance features were added to the system.To meet the demand for a high-riding wagon from buyers not wanting to go off road in their SUVs Nissan added front-wheel drive versions of the ST and ST-L to the range in 2011.The ride is comfortable with good damping and body control on road and off.With its independent MacPherson strut front suspension and coil springs in the rear suspension, handling is balanced and assured in most situations.The steering is light and responsive, and the turning circle is tight enough to make maneuvering easy.Both engines, even the diesel, are acceptably quiet, and there’s little road noise to bother those inside.With a little more weight to haul around the petrol engine isn’t the zippiest performer, and the diesel is better with good response and drivability thanks to its torque.With a comprehensive array of safety features ANCAP rated the T31 at four stars out of a possible five.Passive safety features included front airbags for the driver and front seat passenger, side front airbags, head airbags, and seat belt pre-tensioners.It was also well equipped with active safety features, including ABS braking, BAS emergency brake assistance, EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), and ESP electronic stability control.Lap sash seat belts on all five seats facilitate the fitment of a child seat, and ISOFIX baby car seat mounting points are fitted.The earliest of the T31 X-Trails will now have done on average between 150,000 and 250,000 km, which means they need to be approached with caution and require thorough checking before being purchased.Owners report they the reliability is good and they give little trouble, but any car of the age and odometer reading of those early cars needs careful assessment of its condition.Check under the car for damage from off-road excursions. The X-Trail is quite a competent off-road performer, but its ground clearance limits it to light off-roading rather than rock climbing.Buy the car in the best condition, with the lowest odometer reading, and a complete service history.Nissan recommends servicing every 10,000km or six months. If the service book doesn’t show a car has been serviced as recommended, be skeptical.Regular oil changes, using 5W-30 oil, are the key to long and reliable engine life.Capped price servicing didn’t apply to the T31, but service costs are not excessive, and any competent mechanic can do it.Anyone opting for the CVT auto should road test a car before making their decision, as they’re a different beast to drive and you need to get used its idiosyncrasies, one being the constant whirring noise.There were some issues with the CVT in early T31 X-Trails due to a bearing that was overloaded and prone to failure, and Nissan replaced many transmissions. Listen for odd metallic noises coming from the gearbox during your road test.Another problem reported on a number of diesel models is the failure of he DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). They’re expensive to replace if you have to.The engines use a timing chain, which means there is no requirement for regular replacement.When new, the X-Trail carried a warranty of three years/ 100,000km.MORE: If anything crops up, you’ll probably find it on our Nissan X-Trail problems.Michael Liagourdis: My 2012 Nissan X-Trail Ti 4WD auto has 93,000km on the clock and has been trouble free. It’s great cruising on the highway, and it is impressive off-road. The 2.5-litre petrol engine is both fuel-efficient and smooth. Overall it’s a fun vehicle and a pleasure to drive.Ken Collins: I have a 2012 X-Trail and I love it. I’m tall, but it’s easy to get in and out, it’s great on petrol, has a ton of power, and is great to drive, especially long distances.Ross Weldon: I have been an X-Trail owner for 13 years; the latest is a 2012 ST-L. I wanted a good highway cruiser that could go off-road when required, and the X-Trail fills the bill perfectly. It is easy to enter and exit, has one of the biggest cargo areas in their class, and the fit and finish is spot on.Rigby Gilbert: My 2008 TS diesel manual is my second X-Trail. It has now done 160,000km and is still running as well as ever. The first was a petrol model, but I find the diesel relaxing to drive when towing and the fuel consumption when towing improved.Ian & Rae Singleton: We bought our 2011 X-Trail manual because we wanted easy access in and out of the car. It’s done 43,000km, none off-road, and it has been very reliable, easy to drive and gets good fuel economy on the open road. There’s nothing glamorous about it, but it’s a good, reliable and simple SUV.Roomy, practical family wagon that’s at home on the road and off.

Towing or touring, the boxy family wagon had ample living room. New Until you got up close to the new X-Trail Nissan released in 2007 you could have been forgiven for thinking little had changed. It was the same boxy shape, but when you did get up close you discovered it was longer, wider and taller than the outgoing

Though often used only as an on-road station wagon, Nissan's X-Trail is pretty competent as an SUV. While not intended to be used in extreme 4WD conditions, it can handle most recreational off-road driving with little trouble. Providing enjoyment to adventurous families while doing so.  Nissan X-Trail uses a complex

Graham Smith reviews the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 Nissan X-Trail as a used buy.

Nissan was relatively late into the compact SUV market, arriving here in the wake of the trail blazing Toyota RAV4 and the popular Honda CR- V, but when it did hit the market it did so with a thoroughly competent vehicle in the X-Trail.The T31 was an all-new model launched late in 2007, initially in all-petrol form, but with a turbo-diesel option from 2008. With its rugged looks, practical cabin, gutsy petrol engine and its clever all-mode 4WD system it won its share of followers, but the diesel was really the icing on the cake.There were two versions of the turbo-diesel engine, one that came with the auto transmission that was less powerful, and one you got with the manual gearbox that boasted more performance. While most buyers would probably prefer the automatic transmission variant for its smooth driveability around town it's important to understand that it has a lower towing capacity than the variant with the manual gearbox. When hooked up to the manual the towing capacity is a hefty 2000 kg, but with the auto it drops to just 1350 kg.Nissan's smart all-mode drive system gave the driver the option at the flick of a switch of 2-wheel drive, 4-wheel drive, or a combination of both in which the system chose which drive was needed for the conditions of the moment.The cabin was roomy and flexible, but if there was a criticism it was the central location of the instruments, which meant the driver had to take his/her eyes off the road for an instant to check speed and other vitals.That aside the interior was spacious for the class and there were lots of practical storage options. All models boasted a full-sized spare wheel mounted under the rear for better security.The T31 is still relatively new in the market and few have done high mileage, so there is little service history to report. But there are lots of the earlier T30 models that have done the big kays to have confidence that this one will go the distance without too much trouble. Both the petrol and diesel engines use chains to drive the camshafts, so the cost of servicing is reasonable. The introduction of the diesel brought with it a Diesel Particulate Filter, which periodically needs to go through a regeneration cycle. If a driver fails to complete the cycle as required it can mean a trip to the dealer to have it done and that will cost.Anyone considering converting the petrol X-Trail should think again, the LPG industry generally recommends against it. A number of X-Trails that have been converted have suffered high engine wear, which has been attributed to the engine drawing in particles of the internal structure of the catalytic converter, causing excessive wear on the cylinder bores. While it's been mostly associated with X-Trails on LPG, and blamed on the gas, there have also been reports of cars showing high oil consumption at higher odometer readings. That suggests the issue, while perhaps exacerbated by LPG, is not restricted to engines running on gas.The X-Trail uses regular unleaded fuel and Nissan approves the use of E10 ethanol blend as well.Competent, well-equipped all-rounder with intelligent 4WD system and choice of diesel engine makes it a worthy contender in the compact SUV class.

Nissan, which has been scrambling for sales with its restyled X-Trail, will add more fire power to the compact-sized wagon by finally adding a diesel version to its line-up this week.A year ago, Nissan repeatedly dismissed the diesel as a viable option, saying there wasn't a business case for it in Australia, but its change of heart has been driven by customer demand.Nissan has set the price of the diesel at just $1000 over comparable petrol models, admitting the petrol versions were subsidising the cost of the diesel so it could come to market at the budget price.The X-Trail has been travelling a rocky road of late. It was once the best selling compact wagon in the market, but sales of this latest version, launched late last year, have according to Nissan's marketing manager Ross Booth, been “disappointing”.Nissan, he admits, was caught napping — too slow to react to an intensive price cutting blitz from its rivals like Subaru and Toyota.With that lesson learnt, Nissan has now retaliated with a new marketing campaign, effectively lowering the price of the petrol models by picking up on-road costs, while its dealers have also come to the party by doing drive-away, no more to pay deals.So far this year the X-Trail has been convincingly outsold by market leader, Toyota's RAV-4, Subaru's Forester and Honda's CRV while Mitsubishi's Outlander has rapidly closed in on X-Trail's fourth place.Nissan says the X-Trail is the first volume seller in the compact SUV market to offer a diesel. Suzuki launched its diesel Grand Vitara earlier this year but Booth doesn't see the fellow Japanese brand as a volume seller nor a serious rival.DRIVETRAINSThe X-Trail will come with a choice of two turbocharged diesels, both a variant of the same of 2-litre motor sourced from alliance partner Renault. But one of the new diesels comes with a penalty.A big selling point for the X-Trail has been its class-leading 2-tonne tow capacity — and by Nissan's own reckoning 80 per cent of buyers use the wagon for towing.While the six-speed manual version retains the maximum braked trailer rating, those opting for the six-speed automatic will be limited to just 1350kg. The difference in tow capacity is governed by how the transmissions are cooled: manual models feature a conventional separate external oil cooler for the gear box; the auto is water cooled internally from the engine and cannot take the added tow load.Nissan, based on past experience, expects 60 per cent of X-Trail buyers will opt for the automatic so those wanting to tow heavier boats or caravans will have to buy the petrol model which retains the 2-tonne rating.The auto also doesn't match the manual for power and torque either. It will come with an 110kW/ 320Nm version of the turbocharged diesel; the manual gets more potency with a 127kW and 360Nm.Both engines are economical, rated at 7.4l/100km for the manual and 8.1l/100km for the auto. Peak torque is achieved at just 2000rpm, with 90 per cent of maximum torque on tap from a low 1750rpm.SPECIFICATIONSThere will be two specification grades: the TS and premium TL both of which have similar equipment to petrol models. Pricing starts at $36,990 for the TS manual and $38,990 for the automatic. The better equipped TL starts at $39,990 for the manual and the auto comes in at $41,990. The price of the diesel has been pegged at just $1000 over petrol versions.But in a bid to cut costs and keep the $1000 price premium, climate controlled air conditioning (standard air con fitted instead), leather wrapped steering wheel and leather gear knob have been dropped in the TS and replaced with a vehicle alarm.The TS comes with Nissan's smart All Mode switchable all-wheel drive system with hill start and downhill assist, six air bags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, cruise control, keyless entry, alloy wheels, six-stack audio and trip computer. The TL adds leather upholstery, power adjustable front seats with seat heaters, huge sunroof and climate control air conditioning.DRIVINGIf you exclude Suzuki's Grand Vitara, the X-Trail gains bragging rights over its main rivals for being first in this compact SUV market with a diesel.But the timing isn't brilliant; Nissan should have had this engine option available more than six months ago when Australians were quickly warming to the advantages of having an efficient diesel over a petrol motor.Now that there is an ever-widening gap between petrol and diesel pump prices, some of that advantage has been lost so the appeal of a diesel X-Trail is not as strong.Nissan's rivals will be closely monitoring the diesel wagon's take up rate — Nissan expects it will account for about 40 per cent of volume — to see if there is still a strong demand by buyers for an oil burner. As such, the arrival of the diesel is really a toe in the water exercise for all the major players.Nissan's inability to offer the maximum two-tonne tow rating on the automatic will hurt, especially when trying to attract business from buyers looking for the combination of an all-road wagon, diesel engine, automatic transmission and big towing ability.The X-Trail however should be a very attractive proposition to fleets and private buyers on its fuel efficiency alone.The auto wagon is not a bad thing and nice to drive; but the manual offers a more spirited edge, although both suffer from a noisy diesel clatter, especially at idle.The X-Trail has already proven itself as a competent, well designed family wagon; the diesel just adds icing to the equation.And the big factor in Nissan's favour is the price. Diesels normally command a hefty premium over petrol models, so Nissan's bid to keep the price to $1000 is a marketing winner. Nissan X-TrailPricing: TS manual $36,990, automatic $38,990; TL manual$39,990, automatic $41,990.Engines: 2-litre four cylinder diesel, 110kW at 4000rpm (six speed automatic) 127kW at 3750rpm (six speed manual).Torque: 320Nm at 2000rpm (auto); 360Nm at 2000rpm (manual).Fuel consumption: 7.4l/100km manual, 8.1l/100km autoEmission: 198g/km; Euro IV compliant.Acceleration: zero-100km/h 10s (manual), 12.5s (auto).