In 2002, Nissan’s X-Trail entered the market right when the craze for small SUVs started, subsequently becoming one of the most popular examples of these vehicles that, at the peak of its lifespan, owned a third of the local market. Sporting attractive, purposeful looks, good engines, outstanding practicality and sufficiently credible off-road capabilities, it appealed to a wide spectrum of buyers, with more than 18 000 units finding a home locally.

It came as no surprise then that Nissan didn’t want to change the winning recipe too dramatically when then the time came to release a new X-Trail, especially on the outside. New X-Trail looked just about identical to its predecessor, albeit with larger proportions all around. I recall wondering whether Nissan took a clay model of the previous X-Trail and simply stretched it at the front, rear and top, in the process also pressing the whole body down.

As with most car designs, though, X-Trail’s odd proportions softened over the years and (to me, at least) became better looking with age. Yes, I still think it’s too low and that the front and rear overhangs are too long, but in general it’s become a design that doesn’t make me sigh every time I see one drive past.

The 2010 X-Trail sports enhanced features and very competitive prices, which Nissan hopes will be the answer to customer demands. The model line-up has been simplified, although a mid-spec SE model has been added to the existing entry-level XE and range-topping LE models. Our test model was the X-Trail 2.5 SE 4X4, which in terms of pricing, falls in the middle of the X-Trail line-up.

It came with superbly practical, stylish looking cloth upholstery, although leather is available as a factory-fitted option. A large centrally-mounted dash-top storage box is deep enough to house 10 CD cases, while the very big glove box has a dedicated section for the owner’s manual. I did miss steering-mounted satellite controls for the audio system, but thankfully the volume knob is mounted centrally and large enough to accurately find without taking your eyes off the road.

You’ll never be thirsty in an X-Trail either as there are six cup holders throughout the cabin, four of which can be chilled or heated as desired. I also found that the cup holder on the right of the driver makes a great place to put your mobile phone…

Air-conditioning and front and rear power windows are a standard part of the package. Also standard is cruise control, a telescopic steering-column, MP3 player input, automatic door-locking and, most importantly for those who demand genuine SUV capabilities, the more advanced and safer 4X4-i AWD system.

Nissan’s advanced 4×4-i adds full Vehicle Dynamic Control electronics, Hill Descent Control and more advanced off-road functionality such as ABLS (Active-Brake-Limited-Slip) for better traction and control. I’d have loved to take the X-Trail off the beaten track for some off-road fun, but time caught up with me before I got around to it.

The 2.5-litre petrol motor, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, develops a decent 125kW of power and 226Nm of torque, with a top speed of 191km/h. In city driving, the X-Trail is quite nippy and its raised seating position really comes in handy in traffic.

I did however find that the 125kW on tap is sufficient for cruising on the open road at relatively high speeds, but on the steeper hills I had to gear down to fourth, sometimes even third, to keep momentum. Fuel consumption is claimed at 9.6-litres/100km but it really did strike me as being much, much lower.

Storage space is abundant and I was pleasantly surprised with just how much I enjoyed the X-Trail. It’s a rugged and reliable vehicle that combines comfort, a spacious interior and relatively handsome looks without the immense fuel bills you’d expect from an SUV.

At R339 900, the X-Trail 2.5 SE 4X4 offers an outstanding package with rational advantages that make it an intelligent purchase, to paraphrase Nissan’s official press release. Service intervals are set at 15 000km, while the X-Trail comes standard with a 3-year/ 100 000km warranty, a 3-year/ 90 000km service plan and roadside assistance.

I wouldn’t take anything away from the model tested and didn’t notice anything particularly important missing from the package, which in my opinion makes the SE spec level the one to get. I’d like to compare it with the X-Trail 2.0 dCi SE, especially because of the diesel powerplant’s proven fuel efficiency, but for now am mightily impressed with what the X-Trail offers.

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