09 Nov 05
Nissan X-Trail
The competitively-priced X-Trail offers as much off-road ability as most will ever need, combined with good on-road refinement and driveability. A high-quality product, it should be utterly reliable.
Loads of choice. You can pay for the Land Rover and Jeep badges if you want, but a dependable Toyota RAV-4 will always get the job done.
The X-Trail is ruggedly good-looking and can be suitably chromed-up and accessorised, though its modest proportions won't frighten the green lobby.
Diesel is the only way to go, both on the fuel economy and tax fronts. You can buy two-wheel drive, but what's the point? A 2.2dCi SE sits below the psychological £20K barrier and has a 28% tax liability.
Easy to drive thanks to the high driving position and easy view out, and a doddle to park. Spacious enough, plus you could load up with plenty of commercial samples in the plastic-lined hose-down load bay.
Road Test: Nissan X-Trail (04-)
