2015 Nissan X-TRAIL Reviews

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the Nissan X-Trail Ti, with specs, fuel economy and verdict.

Carsguide reviews the best of the medium SUV pack from Jeep Cherokee, Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail, Mitsubishi PHEV.

Nissan call it "family proof" but the reality is that this car will appeal to a younger audience.

Not many car makers have the gumption to show their new model alongside the old one. But Nissan had the confidence to do so at the launch of the new X-Trail. And comparing the two cars was something of an eye opener. PRICE / RANGE New X-Trail is available in three grades, the familiar ST, ST-L and Ti - in two or

The third-generation of Nissan’s mid-size SUV is set to create a stir in its ultra-competitive market segment.

It's almost inevitable. Once you two are no longer DINKS, an SUV appears in your driveway. The convertible lacks boot space, the V8 ute has no rear seat and the full-on 4WD is too big. The solution seems to be a compact or medium SUV. There are worthy station wagons to consider but new car buyers want to look like explorers, not breeders. Check the shopping centre or school car parks -- easily a third of vehicles have more than 150mm of ground clearance. Today's SUV is far from the 4WDs of yore -- it's easy to drive and load, child friendly, frugal with fuel and competitively priced.  The toughest surface these machines face is a wet speed bump so four of the five we've assessed have a 2WD variant. If you want to carry seven or more, that's the terrain of people-movers and large SUVs. Stay tuned for that. Weekly running costs include purchase, finance, registration, insurance, servicing; based on 15,000km a year, private ownership; costs vary between states and variants. Toyota RAV4  The new model brings with it a diesel -- it's unsuited to towing, so the 2.5 petrol is the option for versatility. Boot space is 506L (or 577L without a full-size spare). It has only 160mm of ground clearance and a low chin, so steer clear of serious obstacles. It scores for driver's knee airbag, spacious and quiet cabin with good storage but loses for a sharpish ride. Warranty: 3 years/100,000km Running costs: $199-$235 pw Safety: 5 stars Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 107kW/187Nm; 2.5-litre 4-cyl, 132kW/233Nm; 2.2-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 110kW/340Nm Transmission: 6-speed man, 6-speed auto, CVT; FWD/AWD Thirst: 5.6L-8.6L/100km Tank 60L Dimensions: 4.6m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H) Stuey's pick: GXL 2.5 auto AWD $35,490 Price: from $28,490 Subaru Forester One of the newer models here, the Soob still leans to the off-road side of the equation. There are diesel and turbo petrol options but most buyers won't need that amount of urge. Boot space isn't great at 422L but the Forester gives occupants ample room and a smooth drivetrain. The CVT is much better than previous versions. Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km Running costs: $210-$230 pw Safety: 5 stars Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl boxer, 110kW/198Nm; 2.5-litre 4-cyl boxer, 126kW/235Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cyl boxer turbo diesel, 108kW/350Nm Transmission: 6-speed man, CVT; AWD Thirst: 5.9L-8.1L/100km Tank: 60L Dimensions: 4.6m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H) Stuey's pick: 2.5i-L $35,990 Price: from $30,990 Mazda CX-5 If evidence was needed that SUVs are moving away from their off-road origins, the Mazda provides it. An A-grade unsealed surface is about as adventurous as you'd want to get with the little Mazda but it has few peers for on-road dynamics and nothing comes close to its Skyactiv turbo diesel powerplant. The absence of rear vents can be overlooked but at least the child seat anchor points are on the seat backs. It's got the longest wheelbase of this quintet, which suggests reasonable cabin space, but boot space is below par at 403 litres and ride quality isn't as supple as the Honda. Warranty: 3 years/unlimited km Running costs: $203-$244 pw Safety: 5 stars Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 114kW/200Nm; 2.5-litre 4cyl, 138kW/250Nm; 2.2-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 129kW/420Nm Transmission: 6-speed man, 6-speed auto; FWD/AWD Thirst: 5.7L-7.4L/100km Tank 58L Dimensions: 4.5m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H) Stuey's pick: Maxx Sport 2.2 Price: from $27,880 Nissan X-Trail This version has been around for nearly a decade, hence it rates four crash safety stars from ANCAP rather than the now standard five. It tops the braked towing capacity with 2000kg, adding to its versatility despite just 410L of boot space. It has off-road prowess, diesel variant (in AWD only) and a ``lite'' option, the 2.0-litre front-driver. Warranty: 3 years/100,000km Running costs: $219-$243 pw Safety: 4 stars Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 102kW/198Nm; 2.5-litre 4-cyl, 125kW/226Nm; 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel, 127kW/360Nm (auto 110kW/320Nm) Transmission: 6-speed man, 6-speed auto, CVT; FWD/AWD Thirst: 7.1L-9.1L/100km Tank: 65L Dimensions: 4.6m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H) Stuey's pick: 2.5 ST $32,690 Price: from $28,490 Honda CR-V Once dominant then long lost, the Honda is getting back where it belongs. Chief asset is cargo space of 556L, the best of the bunch despite a full-size spare, although marred by roof-mounted child seat anchors. Footprint is compact but Honda says there has been no change to passenger space. Compared with previous model, much quieter and easier on the backside. Pricing is canny, there are front and all-wheel drive variants and a diesel is imminent. Warranty: 3 years/100,000km Running costs: $189-$225 pw Safety: 5 stars Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 114kW/190Nm; 2.4-litre 4-cyl, 140kW/222Nm Transmission: 6-speed man, 5-speed auto; FWD/AWD Thirst: 7.7L-8.7L/100km Tank: 58L Dimensions: 4.5m (L), 1.8m (W), 1.7m (H) Stuey's pick: VTi-S AWD Price: from $27,490

June 30 is D-Day. The end of the financial year is the best time to buy a new car because there are always special deals in showrooms. As carmakers and dealers aim to clear their outdated stock, Toyota uses a June push to cement its showroom leadership. Some of the special deals are on cars that have done demonstrator duty, or were built in 2012, or are just not selling as well as expected. So they're not the tastiest fruit in the bowl. But there is great buying across the board as demand for new cars fuels one of the longest growth periods in motoring. The bottom line is that you can save money -- and lots of it. So here's a look at the June sales, with Carsguide's assessment of the best deals on wheels. CITROEN The new importer is pushing hard so the Aircross SUV starts at $31,990 drive-away front-wheel drive or $33,990 with AWD, a saving of $3800. There's $5000 off the C4 Seduction turbo diesel auto hatch at $25,990. Carsguide says: The Aircross isn't great, but the C4 discount is tasty. FORD The death notice for the Falcon and Territory has not helped buyer confidence but a 2.9 per cent finance push on Fiesta and Focus still looks good. The superseded Kuga SUV from $31,990 drive-away is a $10,000 saving. You can save about $3000 on a 2012 Escape SUV from $27,990 drive-away. The Territory gets a $6500 tickle, the TX seven-seater at $38,490 drive-away (third-row seat usually costs $2500). The impressive Mondeo liftback starts at $29,990. Good buying on Falcons, thanks to the arrival of the VF Commodore, from $33,990 and better if you haggle. HOLDEN As the VF Commodore creates queues, the outgoing Z-Series starts at $34,990 with five years' warranty and roadside assist. That also applies to the SV6 at $35,990 and the Cruze SRi and SRi-V at $23,490 and $26,990. Last year's Barina CD hatches are $15,990 drive-away with a sunroof. The Colorado is $39,990. Hard to see past the excellent Cruze SRi. HONDA Clipped prices and free on-roads. The City VTi sedan is $17,990 and the (slightly) more lavish VTi-L automatic version starts at $21,990. The bigger Civic sedan is being cleared from $21,990. Free auto on the Jazz VTi at $19,990. The Civic is worth a look at $2500 off. KIA Free on-roads, discounts and $1000 gift vouchers on many models. A five-door Rio S is about $3K off at $15,990 drive-away with a $500 gift card; the three-door Rio is $14,990 and the five-door Si is $18,990. Runout Cerato TD sedans start at $17,990 for the S, saving about $5000, the Si sedan is $23,990 and hatch at $17,990. All get a $1000 gift card. Cerato SLi and SLS have drive-away pricing but miss the gift card.  All Optimas have free on-roads. A 2012-build Optima Platinum is $37,990, saving about $4000 with a $1000 gift card. Most Sportage SUVs include on-roads and a $1000 gift card. Carnival and superseded Rondo pricing is drive-away. The Sportage diesel and Optima are top-notch. MITSUBISHI The manual Lancer gets an old-school value pack on the Special Action Model for $19,990 drive-away. The Mirage is $12,990 drive-away for the ES manual, with a $500 cash-back that also applies to the auto. Driveaway prices also for the compact ASX at $24,990 for the 2WD manual, the Outlander LS 2WD auto at $29,990, Pajero GLX-R auto at $54,990 or $59,990 for VRX. Both come plus $3000 cash-back, saving about $6000. The Triton ute is now tackling Great Wall from China at $19,990 drive-away for a GL single-cab 2WD with alloy tray, or add luxury for a GLX dual-cab 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away with $2000 cash-back, saving about $14,000. The utes look good at those prices. NISSAN A 2.9 per cent finance package, with agreed value after three years, makes the Pulsar ST sedan look good at $49 a week or $19,990 drive-away. The X-Trail ST 2WD petrol manual cops a $4000 reduction to $25,990 drive-away, while the Navara RX 4WD dual-cab manual is cheaper than ever with a $9500 cut to $30,990 drive-away. The Pulsar sedan deal is attractive. OPEL There are drive-away deals across the range. The basic Corsa is down by about $2500 to $16,990 drive-away, the Astra is from $22,990 drive-away for the 1.4-litre turbo petrol hatch with three years of free servicing, saving about $5500. The top-line Insignia sedan is from $39,990 drive-away with heated leather seats. The Astra is easily best of this breed. PEUGEOT Free on-roads at Peugeot on most models but not the cool new 208. The 4008 SUV cops a $1500 saving from $29,990 drive-away and there are deals on the outgoing 4007. Nothing to see here. RENAULT A Koleos from $26,990 drive-away looks even better with interest-free finance. The Megane hatch is from $22,990 drive-away with finance pegged at 1.9 per cent. The slow-selling Fluence and Latitude sedans are available with 2.9 per cent finance. The Megane CC convertible goes from $43,990 including on-roads. The sporty Clio RS is from $34,990 drive-away and the hotrod Megane RS has 2.9 per cent finance. Commercial deals start with the short-wheelbase Kangoo petrol manual with dual sliding doors from $20,990 drive-away, moving up to the Trafic short-wheelbase manual for $29,990 and the long-wheelbase manual for $32,990, while the Master large van starts from $46,990 drive-away. There's a five-year/200,000km warranty on all light commercials ordered in June. Hard to argue against a $3000 bonus on the Koleos but stocks are tight. SUBARU Drive-away pricing -- for savings of $3000 to $4000 -- is the bait, with Impreza pricing from $23,990 (excluding the WRX, of course). The Tribeca from $54,990 now includes on-roads but you need to visit a dealer to get the full story. Nothing outstanding. SUZUKI The front-drive SX4 gets a Navigator pack with voice-controlled 6.6-inch satnav with Bluetooth for $19,990 drive-away for the manual and $21,990 auto. That also applies to the 2WD auto Grand Vitara at $29,990 drive-away, including reversing camera and satnav with Bluetooth. The Alto GL manual also gets satnav for $11,990 drive-away for the manual, with the Swift GL manual at $17,490 drive-away including cruise control and Bluetooth. The Grand Vitara is a polished piece. TOYOTA There's 2.9 per cent finance on Aurion and Camry with the Camry Altise looking best at $29,990 drive-away. Other drive-away deals include $15,990 for the Yaris YR five-door, $21,490 for the Corolla Ascent automatic, $39,990 for the Kluger KX-R 2WD five-seater, $60,990 for the Prado GXL turbo diesel auto and $39,990 for the HiLux SR 4WD dual-cab ute. The right time for the cabbies' new favourite, the frugal hybrid Camry. VOLKSWAGEN Drive-away pricing on passenger cars and zero finance on commercials. The Polo is $16,990 on-road, the Jetta is down to $25,990 and the Passat $36,690. The Polo is Carsguide's 2010 COTY. VOLVO Fuel and servicing for three years or 60,000km plus roadside assistance. There are conditions -- with a pre-paid BP card based on 15,000km a year and $1.50 a-litre pricing -- and the latest V40 hatch is excluded. Clever twist on bargaining but a pity it doesn't apply to the V40. Paul Gover's 10 COMMANDMENTS You must still do your homework. You must still check the fine print. You must still be prepared to haggle and compromise. But do it right, crunching the numbers and running right to the dealer's deadline, and you can drive away in something special at a special price. The starting point is all the deals, from sticker specials to cheap finance and steak knife-style free extras, being offered by most of the 60-plus brands in showrooms today. If something you want is on special, go for it. But check that the car was built in 2013, and is not a geriatric old-timer from 2012, and ensure your target is exactly what you want - not a stripped-out stocker, perhaps missing an automatic gearbox - that will cost thousands to get the way you want it. Once you lock down a target, don't think the advertised special is the end of the deal. You also need to negotiate for a better price on delivery and on-road costs, and avoid the trap of buying over-priced extras such as paint and upholstery protection, window tinting and extra-long warranties. No-one can expect to go into the ring with a showroom professional and expect to win, because buyers only get a new car occasionally and sales staff are dealing every day. But, by concentrating on the real bottom line - the changeover price - and being prepared to compromise, you can come out ahead. The best tips are the simplest. Run as close as you can to June 30 to sign the deal and get the car, because dealers are all aiming for targets that can mean tens of thousands in bonus money from headquarters. Also be prepared to take a car they have in stock, even if it's not your favourite colour, because dealers are aiming to clear everything they have on the lot. And have your finance in place before you arrive, especially if you're taking up a special deal, because that makes things quicker and you'll also be spared any hassle and potential extra costs. Watch out for 2012 cars because the warranty clock has already been running, don't forget that a big discount today will also mean less at changeover time, and remember that a demonstrator car could have had a hard life already.  

Nissan X-Trail and Subaru Forester go head-to-head in this comparative review.

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

Compact SUVs are the family wagons to be seen in. The segment account for just under half of all soft-roader sales - and that number continues to grow. Four-wheel drive associations report more compact SUV owners are calling to see if their vehicle is capable of doing an off-road course and some courses are now targeted specifically at women. It's the old story: women listen to instructions better than men and usually learn more. Nissan tops the sales in this segment with its X-Trail/Dualis duo. The Dual is is strictly a high-riding wagon, but the four-wheel drive X-Trails have reasonable off-bitumen capability. The boxy wagon is as practical as families looking for a weekend escape vehicle can aspire to. Money talks in this market and the leading players are generally within a few hundred dollars of each other. The base 2.5-litre petrol X-Trail ST all-wheel drive starts at $32,490 -- the same price as the Hyundai i35 and Mitsubishi ASX and climbs to $44,490 for the Ti model. The 2-litre turbodiesel TS is $35,990 stepping up to $42,990 for the TL. The base price is equal to the Hyundai i35 and Mitsubishi ASX and includes cruise control, Bluetooth phone connectivity and alloys wheels. A big part of the X-Trail's appeal is the number of clever storage areas, from the heated/chilled glovebox to the slide-out drawers in the boot. The boxy shape is softened by the curved tailgate and the rear seats fold flat to give it serious cargo capacity. Parents with kids in capsules will appreciate the seat height and wide-opening doors and the durable plastics and interior trim. It's not class leading, but the dirt and dust from a weekend in the bush is easily wiped or swept off. The all-wheel drive system in the X-Trail is known is controlled by a rotary dial with 2WD, Auto and Lock settings. It is as capable on gravel as any of the electronic AWD systems and also uses hill start assist and descent control to keep things tidy on slopes. There's the option of a continuously variable transmission on the petrol models or a six-speed auto on the diesels. The X-Trail crashes with four stars, according to the Euro NCAP authorities. It packs the expected front, side and curtain airbags, along with stability and traction control and ABS with brake assist and emergency brakeforce distribution. It didn't make five stars because the frontal offset collision test found that neck support for the driver was weak and front seat leg protection was marginal. The X-Trail has one of the best suspensions in the class. It irons out ruts on road and softens the big hits when negotiating a rocky track without wallowing like a pregnant hippo. The steering is accurate but set up so there's a bit of play before it responds to inputs and feedback through the wheel is reasonably ordinary. The diesel engine is the pick for off-road duties -- the 360Nm give the car enough grunt to scrabble up most slopes, or to poke its way through a river crossing. Drivers will usually find they run out of ground clearance (212mm) before the AWD system starts to struggle. On road it is a competent vehicle for shopping duties or interstate runs, though like most compact SUVs, pushing hard will create body roll and upset the passengers. Fuel use is about average with a claimed 9.3 litres for the 2.5-litre petrol engine with the manual transmission and 7.4 for the 2-litre diesel manual. The X-Trail is one of the more reassuring SUVs on dirt without affecting its on-road manners. It just pips the Forester for off-road action thanks to the diesel/auto drivetrain and as such, is the car to choose if you aim to be more adventurous than most compact SUV owners.