Review: Nissan X-Trail 2.0 dCi 177 4WD N-Vision

People said give us a bigger engine. Nissan says, here it is

From the outside, you really couldn’t tell this isn’t the 1.6-litre version of the X-Trail. There really is no point of differentiation, not even a badge. While some like the minimalist approach, there are going to be others who want people to know they’ve got the 2.0-litre diesel version. So can you tell the difference if you drive it?

The numbers look good, even if they’re not on show. The 1.6-litre diesel has 128bhp, while the 2.0-litre has 175bhp. The smaller engine has 236lb ft of torque, the bigger engine 280lb ft. That’s what customers have been asking for. While many have found the seven-seater SUV a practical and efficient set of wheels, many have also found the 1.6-litre engine, the only choice, a bit lacking.

Given that many owners want to use their X-Trail for towing, it wasn’t just the lack of horsepower either, it needed more torque. So Nissan has come up with a bigger version to answer their demands. We’ve gone for it with a manual gearbox and four-wheel drive, although you can have a CVT transmission called Xtronic should you so desire – it’s the only choice for the 2.0-litre with front-wheel drive.

The 1.6-litre diesel was a bit of a crude device, a touch given to vibration and noise as well as adequate power and torque. Fire up the bigger version and you find the same rough sensation, something which only gets more pronounced the harder you push the engine.

It’s not as refined as VW’s 2.0-litre TDI nor as torquey, but it does pull from 1200rpm. You’ll want nearer 2000rpm though if you want to get a shift on. Keep working it, and there’s no doubt this is a gutsier engine and it would definitely make for a better towing vehicle.

The handling is more refined than the engine, being able to keep this tall SUV fairly flat through the corners, with decent levels of grip and an easy way with corners. On the long motorway drags it tracks true, and is a pretty relaxed cruiser, needing minimal input from the driver.

Ride suffers a touch because of the firmer handling, but it’s mostly quite good unless the road gets really rough. If things get rougher still and you go off-road you’ll find you can maintain decent progress over harsh terrain. There’s limited ground clearance and axle articulation, so this won’t go where a Land Rover will, but that’s probably priced in for most buyers.

The company’s Qashqai provided much of the material for the cabin, which is nice enough but, like the lack of badging or whatever, some owners might like to see more differentiation. However, there is certainly plenty of room, and the second row of seats is commodious and comfortable. The third row is for shorter journeys but, with them flat, you’ve got a cavernous boot and there are lots of stowage places dotted round the cabin for the family’s bits and bobs.

The driver will be happy enough with the 7in infotainment screen in the middle of the dash, although you’ll get a 5in screen on the entry-level Acenta. The 7in screen is joined by DAB radio, sat nav and a parking camera with views all round.

At around £32,500, this larger X-Trail is about £1700 more than the 1.6-litre version. Whether that’s worth it to you is a matter of choice, but we’d go for the smaller version, which is cheaper to buy and run, unless we needed the extra grunt for regular towing or for loading the vehicle up to the gunwales.

On the other hand, Skoda’s very fine new Kodiaq seven-seater is at least a couple of grand cheaper and offers more space and more modern design and technology so would be worth a comparison check.

2017 Nissan X-Trail 2.0 dCi 177 4WD N-Vision

Price £32,480
Engine 1995cc, four-cylinder, diesel
Power 175bhp at 3750rpm
Torque 280lb ft at 2000rpm
Gearbox 6-speed manual
Kerbweight 1675kg
0-62mph 9.4sec
Top speed 127mph
Economy 50.5mpg
CO2/tax band 149g/km, 29%
Rivals Ford Kuga, Skoda Kodiaq, Hyundai Santa Fe

Graham Scott is a writer for AutoCar.