X-Trail revised

So to keep up the pace, Nissan has revised the X-Trail, adding the most powerful diesel engine in its class, a new interior and even higher equipment levels.

All the new X-Trails are on sale now. Prices start from £16,995 for the new SE, a slight increase over the outgoing range that is more than compensated for by additional equipment, of which the new T-Spec range-topper, in particular, has loads - more, in fact, than any other compact 4x4, says Nissan.

The biggest improvement is to the diesel which leaps up to the top of its class with a power output of 136PS.

That's an increase of more than 19 per cent on what was there before.

Torque, or pulling power, goes up by 16.3 per cent yet fuel consumption stays at 39.2mpg and CO2 emissions at 190g/km.

The new X-Trail dCi is naturally rather faster than the outgoing diesel with 2.2 seconds slashed off the nought-to-62mph acceleration time, bringing it down to 11.5 seconds. And there's another 10mph added to the top speed.

Nissan has also taken the opportunity to improve the gearchange, making cleaner shifting, and existing X-Trailers will notice a reduction in engine noise as well.

There are also changes for those who prefer their car fuelled by petrol with availability of the 2.5-litre 165PS engine extended to Sport trim. In fact, it's now the only petrol engine available on the Sport, being rather sportier than the two-litre it replaces.

It's inside the X-Trail that Nissan has made the most changes, many in response to customer feedback. There's a completely new dashboard with more ergonomically-designed controls. Switches for the climate control are now grouped into three circular knobs shared with the 350Z and positioned higher on the centre console.

Operation of the X-Trail's innovative and electronic All-Mode 4x4 system is now by turning a knob rather than pressing a button.

In some instances, Nissan went even further to keep customers happy. Take the luggage net, which they wanted fitted to their X-Trail. Well, it is now. And rather than just coming up with a net that keeps loose bags of shopping from going AWOL around the luggage area, Nissan created a net that can be clipped any way around the customer wants. It even turns itself into a dog guard.

Nissan has changed the air-conditioned can holders so that they are now vertically mounted by the windscreen pillars and added a chillable centre console box.

Externally, all Nissan has done is make the car a little easier to park with a new front bumper design that shaves 55mm off the overall length. This has also led to a new mesh grille and, as is the current trend, white side indicators and smoked-effect rear lamps.

The 16in alloy wheel design has also changed. The base model in the original X-Trail range, the S, has gone. Instead the range starts with a new SE derivative that gains side airbags as well as a CD player, an alarm, the cargo net, driver's seat lumbar adjustment, and electronic climate control instead of a sunroof.

There are two engines offered, a two-litre 140PS petrol carried over from the outgoing S priced at £16,995 and the new six-speed dCi for £18,395.

Both versions come with Nissan's innovative All-Mode 4x4 system which gives a choice of two-wheel drive, automatically selecting four-wheel drive and a "lock" facility that fixes the torque going to front and rear axles.

The T-Spec version has Nissan's ESP+ system which combines electronic stability programme and traction control, a load-bearing roof system with integrated safari lamps, and a Europe-wide DVD with BirdView satellite navigation system.

All this is available for £1,700 more than the equivalent SVE with which the T-Spec shares its electrically adjustable and heated front seats with hide upholstery.

The most popular version of the X-Trail has always been the Sport, which gets a new interior and the 2.5-litre 165PS engine with the option of automatic transmission as well as the new dCi 136PS diesel unit.

The 2004 Sport has got more equipment, too, such as leather-rimmed steering wheel with audio controls, front fog lamps, active head restraints, fully colour-keyed exterior, that cargo net and a centre floor-mounted box with lid.

That's in addition to the enormous electric glass sunroof, six-CD autochanger, 16in alloys and roof spoiler it's always had. Prices go from £18,995 for the 2.5 (auto adds £1,000) to £19,795 for the dCi.

The SVE model now has black leather instead of the previous tan. The heated front seats gain electric adjustment, eight-way for the driver and four-way for the passenger. And the SVE also gets the multi-function cargo net and active front-seat head restraints like all other 2004 X-Trails.

As with the Sport, 2.5 manual (£20,895) or auto (£21,895) and dCi versions (£21,695) are available - each are £1,900 more than the Sport to which the SVE also adds electrically-folding door mirrors.

Obviously the X-Trail won't have lost its four-star NCAP safety rating. If anything, the car's score should improve as all models gain active front seat head restraints and, on the entry model, side airbags.

Naturally, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist are standard across the range. For more information, call New Way Nissan on 01256 811191.