Used Nissan X-Trail 2007 - 2014 review

What's the used Nissan X-Trail like?

For the second-generation Nissan X-Trail, the Japanese company took an evolutionary approach to the styling. If you just take a passing glance, you could easily mistake it for the original model, introduced in 2001. The trick in telling them apart is that there’s a kink in the rear pillar of the 2007 model, plus it’s a bigger, taller and more slab-sided car.

The interior was an improvement on the old X-Trail, with higher quality materials. There are still some cheap feeling plastics in there, but they’re not as prevalent as they were in the 2001 X-Trail. Refinement and overall comfort are significantly better, too, but rear seat space is actually worse; head room is fine, but leg room is strangely limited.

Overview

This second-generation Nissan X-Trail looks similar to the original, but it's a lot more sophisticated and has a much roomier boot.

Pros

• Enjoyable to drive
• Massive boot
• Capable four-wheel drive system

Cons

• Limited rear leg room
• Slabby styling
• 147bhp diesel is thirsty

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Nissan X-Trail

1.6 dCi n-tec Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£2,495

Nissan X-Trail

1.6 dCi n-tec Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,595

Nissan X-Trail

1.6 dCi Acenta 4WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,799

Nissan X-Trail

1.6 dCi Tekna 4WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£3,800

Nissan X-Trail

1.6 dCi n-tec XTRON Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£3,990

Nissan X-Trail

1.6 dCi Tekna Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,250

Nissan X-Trail

1.6 dCi Acenta Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,395

Nissan X-Trail

1.6 dCi Tekna 4WD Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,495

Nissan X-Trail

1.6 dCi Acenta Euro 5 (s/s) 5dr

£4,500

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There are no such problems in the boot, which was the biggest in the class at the time the car was launched. The load compartment is also covered in a rugged, wipe-clean material, so those with muddy weekend hobbies won't have to worry about dirtying carpet.

The X-Trail came with a choice of two 2.0-litre dCi diesel engines (with 147bhp or 170bhp), while the original 2.0-litre petrol option was dropped in pretty short order for a 2.5-litre unit.

Most X-Trails came with a useful ‘All-Mode’ four-wheel drive system (two-wheel drive was available as well) and it’s a good car to drive, with chassis balance and steering response that were genuinely impressive for an SUV in 2007.

Ownership cost

What used Nissan X-Trail will I get for my budget?

The Nissan X-Trail is a car that is still in quite high demand, and that’s in spite of it having been replaced by a far more upmarket model. The huge boot and rugged four-wheel drive system seem to be keeping it well and truly on buyers’ radars. Consequently, you’ll need to budget at least £4500 for even the oldest 147bhp X-Trail from late 2007.

A 2011 Acenta model with the 170bhp engine and a full service history will set you back in the region of £7000, while a last-gasp 2012 X-Trail, in top-spec Tekna trim, requires a budget of £11,000.

Our recommendations

Which used Nissan X-Trail should I buy?

The Nissan X-Trail was quite a sophisticated car for its day, with options including a bird's-eye view parking camera, a relatively affordable sat-nav system, a panoramic glass roof and the All-Mode four-wheel drive set-up, which gives the X-Trail really quite serious off-road abilities.

All models came with anti-lock brakes, electric windows and door mirrors, Isofix child seat mounts, and climate control. Top-spec Tekna models also feature a CD multi-changer, cruise control, front fog lights, leather trim, parking sensors and sat-nav.

There’s not a huge difference in performance between the two diesel options, but while the 147bhp version would generally be cheaper to buy – and it’s the only variant available with an automatic gearbox – the 170bhp X-Trail is the one to go for. Not only is it more powerful, but because the X-Trail has a hefty body to haul around it’s actually more frugal in real terms.

Our favourite used Nissan X-Trail: 2.0 dCi 170bhp Tekna

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Nissan X-Trail?

The third-generation Honda CR-V, launched in the same year as this version of the X-Trail, is a very close competitor. It has a slightly smaller boot, but hits back with roomier rear seats and a classier interior. The Honda's 2.2-litre i-DTEC diesel engine is a little worse off for emissions, but the CR-V is a good quality car that is comfortable and enjoyable to drive.

Land Rover’s second-generation Freelander went on sale the year before the X-Trail and remains a class act to this day. Handsome, very capable both on-road and off, and with far better reliability than the original Freelander, it’s a serious rival for the X-Trail.

The ever-popular Toyota RAV4 matches the X-Trail in terms of reliability and ruggedness, but by the time this X-Trail came out, the RAV4 had fallen behind in terms of overall sophistication and creature comforts, something not rectified until the 2012 replacement. It’s also a little smaller than the Nissan X-Trail, with an awkward side-hinged cargo door instead of a proper tailgate.

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