Category: Small 4x4s 
Price Range: £19,245 to £26,795
Tough, well equipped, good value; adept off road and civilised on road.
Not as posh as the Freelander.
A very good all-rounder, and better on the rough than most 4x4s.
The X-Trail has a very rigid structure, and should score well in the Euro NCAP crash tests (back in 2001, the first-generation version achieved a very meritable four stars for overall occupant protection). Standard kit includes six airbags, with most models getting full-length head-protecting curtain airbags, hill descent control, uphill start assist and stability control - a crucial electronic aid in a tall SUV with a high centre of gravity - as well as the mandatory ABS anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution. Brownie points for the proper full-sized spare wheels, too. Final specification hasn't been firmed up for the UK as yet, though.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Nissan X-TRAIL
wrote on 30 12 2007
wrote on 18 10 2007
wrote on 31 07 2007