Advanced Urban Tourer

The new Nissan X-Trail packs a VC-Turbo engine, the first in the world with variable compression-ratio technology. We drove this new premium SUV entrant in the city and on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway to get up close and personal with what it has to offer

- Jim Gorde

NISSAN INDIA SEEM TO HAVE GOT THE ball rolling with authority again and have announced a slew of changes in operations, strategy and, of course, their portfolio. With the doors to the completely built import route now flung open again, Nissan have a direct line to limited-number global models as and when they choose to deliver. The first of these models arrives in the form of the X-Trail.

The X-Trail, now in its fourth generation, measures 4.7 metres long and with the provisional third row of seats, steps into the premium SUV segment where it has some established names to go up against. Now, Nissan India aren’t making the car here but we are told that localisation of more models—pertinently the new five- and seven-seat C-SUVs—is definitely on the cards. That said, this version is subject to the whole gamut of import and countervailing duties, cesses, charges and surcharges, and and that reflects in its gruesome tag of just under Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom). Does it have the goods to command that tag? Let’s hit the trail.

The middle of Gurugram is hardly trail central but there are enough sudden road works, abnormal speed-humps and pot-holes to challenge the most advanced suspension systems, let alone two-wheel drive SUVs. The X-Trail looks smart. The V-shaped front design is a familiar family trait and its proportions are generous. It’s 4,680 millimetres long, 1,840 mm wide and 1,725 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,705 mm. It also rides 210 mm above the ground making it easier to deal with rough patches and other bad surfaces.

Inside, there is a spacious cabin but basic interior with a number of goodies. Nissan say their target customer is one who puts technology first and doesn’t want the bells and whistles which raise the price unnecessarily.