USED Nissan X-Trail 4x4 (01 - 07)

My car

After a long search for a new car I went for the 2.2 DCi X Trail in Sport trim. I'm very happy with the car, it drives very well compared to other similar 4x4 and the cabin is well laid out. The level of kit was improved in early 2005 so go for one of these if you can, 6 disk CD, air con, huge sunroof, 17in 6 spoke alloys and cruise control as standard. During my extensive search I had read of problems with the DCi engine but decided to take the chance. The car I bought has an impeccable service history and is in very good condition. 2 weeks into ownership sitting at traffic lights idling and when I went to move off the car had no power and wouldn't rev above 2000 rpm, I was able to stop and restarted the engine and all back to normal, this fault continued to happen when ever I idled and sometime during normal driving. The engine light came on after a couple of days so off to the garage. I'd put my symptoms into the web and it came up as a solenoid on the diesel pump, garage agreed and changed it for £305 (not £2000 as some garages used to say for the whole diesel pump). A week later I pulled out of a junction and a large pop from the engine followed by a banshee type screaming, blown turbo! £700 plus fitting. Luckily I bought the car from a garage and they very kindly paid for both issues at local garages despite the seller being a small garage 300 miles from where I live. RS Morphet in Sedburgh (highly recommended). Fingers crossed that that's my problems over.

My car

Bought a '05 x-trail petrol for the winter and it has been very worth while. I live in the hills and would have been snowed in for 4 weeks if I didn't have it.

For a 2.5 petrol it's better than I expected on fuel. Worst on snowy roads in low gear, 24. Best on a motorway cruise (70mph) and some town driving 33.5. It's better than many diesel 4x4's I've had, is practical and has a good turn of speed if you want it. With the VVT engine once it's above 4000rpm it flies and with the heated seat it's nice on cold mornings.

It's a little soft to throw round roundabouts but it is a comfey 4x4 afterall!

My car

Like the previous reviewer, I deliberately bought the 2.5 SVE auto, as I don't do a huge mileage and, having just moved to the country, I needed a 'station car' that could pull a trailer occasionaly and cope with mud and snow. The car has performed remarkably well. It had no problems with the recent snow, helped me move house and whizzed around the place easily in conditions that my Jaguar XK8 found distinctly trying.

I am getting about 25mpg, which is fine for a petrol 4wd automatic. Having read how unreliable and costly the Nissan diesels are with their blown turbos and intercoolers I am sure I made the right choice. So far, my 60,000 mile, 7 year old Nissan has been totally reliable.

The boot is a good size, the leather seats are comfortable and heated and the interior is functional rather than beautiful.

I would definitely recommend the X-Trail to anyone who wants a comfortable, practical and reliable 4wd that can occasionally go off road.

My car

Our Xtrail is excellent-bought one considering how happy my brother-in-law is with his 2.2dci.Imminent arrival of daughter no.2 meant Saab convertible had to go-a double buggy just wouldn't fit in the boot!No such problems with the Xtrail!Took double buggy & all the luggage that 2 young kiddies & 2 adults need for a 2 week summer holiday in France no problem-that was quite an achievement!The large, well shaped boot helps here, as does the multitude of cubby holes & storage spaces.The 1200mile trip was handled with aplomb-it's very smooth,quiet,comfortable,relaxing & cruises happily on motorway.

Although everyone says "buy the diesel for better economy", we knowingly bought 3 yr auto 2.5 petrol,as diesel of same mileage, age & spec would've been at least £1000 more.Considering it only does on average <10miles a day in normal usage, it wasn't worth spending the extra.Even the French holiday fuel bill was only £80 more than if it had been a diesel.Hammer it hard & you don't need to be rocket scientist to know it'll drink fuel.

SVE spec very comprehensive & standard European sat nav is accurate-address entry v. post code is no negative-better than Audi/BMW/VW that only take the first part of the postcode.

It's also been great off-road, & unstoppable in deep snow on untreated country roads-even pulling stuck car out of hedge up steep snowy slope no problem!

100% reliable 18mths on,& servicing costs aren't dear.Fred Coupe Nissan-Preston been great too.

Loving it!