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Day 1:
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The Nissan X-Trail is one of the few vehicles available in North America that is not sold south of the border. Available in both front wheel drive (FWD) and all wheel drive (AWD) versions, the X-Trail competes in the small sport-utility market against the likes of the RAV4 and CR-V.
Powered by a 2.5-litre, in-line 4-cylinder engine, the X-Trail puts out 165hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. It’s rated at a 0 - 100km/h time of 10.4 seconds - certainly an acceptable acceleration figure. So far I find the X-Trail a little sluggish between 80-110km/h. This could be a result of the automatic transmission, which requires a little prodding to get a downshift.
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Included in my tester is an AM/FM/cassette/in-dash 6-CD changer audio system with six speakers. Unfortunately, for the second week in a row, I’m in a vehicle without an AUX input. Interestingly, Nissan decided to go with centre-mounted gauges in the X-Trail, possibly to save on assembly costs for left- and right-hand drive markets.
This is the first small SUV I have had the opportunity to test; I’m extremely interested in how fuel efficient this small SUV will be over the week.
2006 Nissan X-Trail SE AWD
MSRP as tested: $32,473.00
For more information on Nissan and the X-Trail visit Nissan Canada
Updated August 22nd 2006
Day 2:
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The interior of the X-Trail is a nice place to spend some time. From the large cargo area to the large sunroof, this small SUV really packs a punch in terms of features and comfort at a reasonable price.
I won’t harp on the centre stack-located gauge cluster; like it or not, the X-Trail comes with it. It’s fairly easy to get used to. I find the X-Trail’s to be very easy to read, although starting off in the morning I tend to forget to look over at my speedometer until I realize I may be speeding.
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Moving that cluster to the centre has allowed Nissan to do some interesting things with the interior. There is a storage box directly in front of the driver that contains the 12V power outlet, although they failed to leave a gap for the cord to exit.
The cup-holders are cooled or heated depending on the setting of your HVAC system, which means your coffee will be cooled if you leave the vents open when using the A/C. The cup-holders are slightly out of reach of shorter drivers and passengers though, as they are on top of the dash. Personally, I prefer them down beside my seat. There is also a small storage bin in the centre area that is heated/cooled for multiple cans of pop or a sandwich, perhaps.
The 6 way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar is particularly comfortable, and I could see myself sitting in it for long drives. The passenger seat, although limited in adjustability, is fairly comfortable as well.
The large sunroof is a bonus and operating the powered switch without opening the sun-shade first actually causes the entire assembly to move back as one piece. Unfortunately when you close it, the shade doesn’t return, but it’s a nice feature indeed. Just one note about the sunroof: it is large and therefore lets in a lot of light. Leave the sunshade open on a hot day and you’ll have one seriously cooked sandwich in your storage bin.
Updated August 23rd 2006
Day 3:
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Having never driven one of these cute-utes, as they are called, I wasn’t sure what to expect for ride quality. Would it ride like a truck? Or would ride like a car? I half expected it to ride very much like a car, and it turns out I was both right and wrong.
In highway driving, I find the X-Trail to be a little noisy. Tire noise is mostly the culprit; wind noise is held to a minimum and engine noise is subdued as well. The ride quality on the highway is very smooth, none of the jarring, back and forth motion typically felt in trucks. So I guess you could say it rides like a car.
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In the city, the story changes slightly. Bumps in the road seem harsh, potholes and cracks seem to cause the X-Trail to rock, truck-like. It seems the suspension has been tuned to be stiff and truck-like, and as a result, at lower speeds, those bumps jar right through to the driver while going unnoticed at higher speeds.
If only my test X-Trail could speak: it very well may have lived a harsh life. There are a few battle scars on its body, and with only 10,000 km on the odometer there are a surprising number of rattles and creaks. There seems to be a rattle coming from the tailgate area and both the gas and brake pedals make a creak/squeak sound that is utterly annoying. Perhaps some oil is in order.
On the highway the engine turns between 2500 and 3000 rpm and is very quiet and smooth. Around town power delivery is smooth and I have never been left wanting, although engine vibrations do intrude into the vehicle while idling, not something I expect at this price range.
While tooling around town I find the X-Trail to be really easy to handle, the high seating position allows for good visibility and the small sized dimensions of the vehicle allow for easy maneuverability in parking lots.
I’ve been watching the gas gauge carefully and so far fuel consumption looks to be dead on with the expected 10.8/8.1 L/100km (City / Highway) Natural Resources Canada rating.
Updated August 24th 2006
Day 4:
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I have been quiet impressed by the X-Trail over the past week; it has surpassed my expectations on many levels. I have been impressed with the ride and handling of the X-Trail over the week, and especially the level of comfort.
Gas mileage was the big surprise; I have fairly bad luck with any type of SUV regarding gas mileage. I averaged 10.3L/100km over the course of my week with the X-Trail, which is truly impressive when my driving habits for this week consisted of 99% city driving.
Overall I was impressed with the X-Trail, there are a few areas where some improvement could be made. There are a few squeaks and rattles in the dash and hatch area and some enhancements like steering wheel mounted audio controls and more thought on the ergonomics of the driver controls. Overall, the Nissan X-Trail provides an excellent package at a reasonable price.
*Rating out of 5:
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*Rating based on vehicle’s classification
2006 Nissan X-Trail SE AWD
MSRP as tested: $32,473.00
For more information on Nissan and the X-Trail visit Nissan Canada
August 23, 2006, 11:38:30 am With the sunroof all the way open, is there a lot of annoying wind buffeting against your ears? (I know this can happen at some speeds, and opening the window usually makes it go away, but on the highway above 110km/h wondering if opening the roof alone is comfortable. Good to know on the seats.
August 23, 2006, 11:41:36 am No, I was surprised, the X-Trail had less wind noise with the roof open than many other cars I have driven such as the Avalanche or DTS which were annoying.
August 23, 2006, 12:21:31 pm Some owners have indicated that they find the wind noise very high and have helped aleviate the so-called booming by cracking the rear windows to allow an outlet for air moving around the cabin that has entered throuth the sunroof. I ran one on the 417 in Ottawa with the pana-roof open, and did <<edit>> not <<edit>> find that it is problem. It was probably less noisy than when I have the sunroof open in my 06 Sonata.
August 23, 2006, 10:41:48 pm When will you take if "off" road?
I would interested in knowing its potential as a soft-off roader, maybe a future, more economical, replacement for my Pathfinder?
August 24, 2006, 07:15:40 am
Is the Ava spoiler type ( slide above roof) or does slide into the roof?
August 24, 2006, 12:22:03 pm Interesting update today refering to rattles and noises in the cabin. Any owners with at least 8 or 9 months of ownership find the same issues with long-term ownership?
August 24, 2006, 12:34:27 pm
No squeaky pedals here, the plastic cover in the back sits on foam compartments and that can be noisy at times. So open the sunroof and take her on the 417 at 130 and you won't hear a thing
August 24, 2006, 03:13:12 pm
I knew I could trust you to come up with a viable solution to cabin rattles. Works for me ---- weeeee!
August 24, 2006, 05:29:55 pm Have a look at this!
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1156327306663&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154
Conclusion: The X-Trail is a very safe vehicle.
August 25, 2006, 12:43:28 am
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1156327306663&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154
Conclusion: The X-Trail is a very safe vehicle.
That was posted under the general as well but as it relates to the Xtrail, it survived the roll-over very well did it not?
August 25, 2006, 08:47:05 am
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1156327306663&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154
Conclusion: The X-Trail is a very safe vehicle.
That was posted under the general as well but as it relates to the Xtrail, it survived the roll-over very well did it not?
Some people are whacked out - I can't imagine what the car-jacker was motivated by or what he was "on" at the time.
August 25, 2006, 09:35:17 am
My wife took it in with a rattle somewhere in the dash. It was her garage door opener rattling in a storage compartment.
No problems here. After 38K, she's averaging less than 8.5L/100km.
August 25, 2006, 10:06:22 am
My wife took it in with a rattle somewhere in the dash. It was her garage door opener rattling in a storage compartment.
No problems here. After 38K, she's averaging less than 8.5L/100km.
Wow, that's very good fuel economy. I barely get that in my P5! Mind you, I wear lead boots.
August 26, 2006, 12:10:05 pm Notice I say "wife", not "me". I doubt I could achieve that by coasting downhill. Now, the X does use a fair bit more gas in the winter, but in the summer, it's great. I gotta believe that's close to the Escape Hybrid.
What is more insane is my dad's 4Runner. 11.1 L/100km now. For a 4L V6 4Runner.
September 05, 2006, 10:53:42 am Hey, this BonaVista edition looks to be packaged with everything I'd want...
http://nissan.ca/en/vehicles/xtrail/bonavista.html
September 05, 2006, 12:40:05 pm
http://nissan.ca/en/vehicles/xtrail/bonavista.html
September 05, 2006, 01:03:48 pm
http://nissan.ca/en/vehicles/xtrail/bonavista.html
I agree. A leather version for 1K more would be nice too.
What's the saying, everything you need, nothing of what you don't.
September 05, 2006, 03:17:34 pm
http://nissan.ca/en/vehicles/xtrail/bonavista.html
I agree. A leather version for 1K more would be nice too.
What's the saying, everything you need, nothing of what you don't.
September 12, 2006, 10:15:57 am Anyone seen the new X-Trail ad for the BonaVista Edition where he's talking in Newfoundlander accent?
Now THAT ad I like and is effective!
September 12, 2006, 10:17:30 am Lard tunderin'!
September 12, 2006, 10:41:13 am
Now THAT ad I like and is effective!
I think this is the first time I ever disagreed with you. The guy sounds more like Brad Pitt in Snatch than a Newfie. Have to say it is a shitty commercial.
I also think it is only getting played because they are Newfies....if they used Asians or Indians it would have been pulled right away.
September 12, 2006, 01:45:20 pm
Now THAT ad I like and is effective!
I think this is the first time I ever disagreed with you. The guy sounds more like Brad Pitt in Snatch than a Newfie. Have to say it is a shitty commercial.
I also think it is only getting played because they are Newfies....if they used Asians or Indians it would have been pulled right away.
Awwww, the first? I'm impressed
I think Newfies understand why we poke fun at their accent and don't opt to take themselves or us too seriously. I think more of 'em for it. It is after all a CANADIAN exclusive vehicle being marketing to CANADIANS, so would make sense they'd pick their accent as they are speaking English as their primary language but sound different. Not mocking someone's attempt at English as a second language. I think it is very well executed as an attention grabbing way to show off the options included in the edition. I guess when you do something creative, you run the risk of upsetting people
September 12, 2006, 03:04:12 pm
... The guy sounds more like Brad Pitt in Snatch than a Newfie. ...
September 12, 2006, 08:22:58 pm Ok, please keep this discussion on topic.
Thanks.
September 13, 2006, 08:01:27 am *natch*