Nissan, the brand that once brought us the Micra – a car so small it could practically park itself in a glove compartment – has been playing a peculiar game in India. Their star player until now has been the Magnite, a plucky little SUV that, for reasons known only to the automotive gods, wears the face of a Datsun. It’s like dressing a toddler in your grandpa’s suit. A bold fashion choice, to say the least. With the Magnite successfully infiltrating the compact SUV territory and almost stealing the thunder from their own hatchbacks, one can't help but wonder if Nissan's strategy is more akin to a game of Jenga than a well-thought-out plan.
Enter the X-Trail, a behemoth compared to the Magnite. But instead of building it locally to keep costs in check and appeal to the price-sensitive Indian market, Nissan has decided to import it as a Completely Built-Up Unit. This is like bringing a cannon to a knife fight. While the X-Trail undoubtedly has its charms, the hefty import taxes are going to make it a tough sell in a market where value for money is king.
Nissan is betting big on the X-Trail to spearhead their CBU operations in India. This is a bold move, akin to tightrope walking without a safety net. They’re banking on the allure of a global model to overcome the price premium. But given India's love affair with affordable cars, it remains to be seen if the X-Trail can win hearts and wallets. Only time will tell if this is the beginning of a beautiful love story or a one-night stand.
Now, this is where things get really interesting. Under the hood lurks a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine that's straight out of a sci-fi flick. It's a variable compression engine, which is basically engine wizardry. This little marvel can change its shape-shifting abilities on the fly, going from a leisurely 8:1 compression ratio to a diesel-like 14:1, all without breaking a sweat. It’s like having a chameleon in your engine bay.
I was skeptical at first, thinking it was all just marketing fluff. But let me tell you, this engine is the real deal. When you're cruising along, the fuel efficiency numbers are so high, you'll start questioning the accuracy of the instrument cluster. It’s like discovering a hidden treasure map. And when you decide to unleash the beast, the engine responds with a gusto that belies its size. It’s like a tiny rocket engine disguised as a family car.
But the magic doesn't stop there. This three-cylinder unit sounds like a symphony compared to the tinny tunes most three-potters produce. It’s a testament to Nissan’s engineering prowess. And let's not forget the CVT. It's smooth, it's responsive, and it's as clever as a fox. It knows when to hold its horses and when to let loose, all without you lifting a finger.
The ride, considering those 20-inch wheels, is surprisingly plush. It's like floating on a cloud, but only when the road is kind. Hit a particularly nasty pothole and you'll feel it, but it's not enough to ruin your day. The X-Trail has a knack for absorbing imperfections, making long journeys a breeze for both the driver and passengers. It's like having a personal masseuse for your backside.
The brakes are confidence-inspiring, and the overall driving experience is more car-like than SUV-ish. It’s a tall claim, I know, but this thing handles like a dream. You could easily imagine yourself taking this on a cross-country road trip without breaking a sweat, or your back.
The X-Trail's interior instantly reveals its non-premium status. Swapping leather for fabric is a decision that sparks debate. While leather often necessitates seat ventilation for comfort, fabric offers its own advantages. This particular fabric is impressively robust, resisting stains, tears, and dust. Its grippy texture and easy maintenance make it a practical choice. The cabin's upper sections boast soft-touch materials, creating a pleasant feel, but the lower areas revert to harder plastics. A functional trade-off, perhaps, but it's a noticeable departure from luxury.
The infotainment system is a familiar sight, directly inherited from the Indian-market Kicks. Despite improved screen resolution and font clarity, the small display feels out of place in today's large-screen-obsessed market. The driver-focused 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is a highlight, offering multiple customizable views. While the steering wheel controls are functional, their tactile feedback is less than ideal.
One unexpected benefit of the smaller infotainment screen is the abundance of physical buttons. The dual-zone climate control panel is intuitive and informative. Storage spaces are generous, with ample bins, cupholders, and a dedicated sunglass compartment. Unfortunately, the glove box is disappointingly small.
Accessing the rear seats is straightforward, but comfort is a different story. The bench is flat and lacks under-thigh support, while the raised floor forces knees into an uncomfortable upward position. Accommodating three passengers is possible, but individual comfort suffers due to the lack of side support. Large windows, though devoid of sunshades, offer good visibility. Rear passengers benefit from AC vents, charging options, and the ambient light from the panoramic sunroof. The 40:20:40 split-folding middle row prioritizes versatility over comfort, emphasizing its utilitarian nature.
Freeing up maximum cargo space requires folding down both the middle and rear rows, a task usually reserved for the third row alone. Speaking of the third row, it's best suited for children or occasional adult use. With the third row upright, boot space is severely limited.
While the front seats offer a decent experience, the rest of the X-Trail's cabin feels underwhelming. Given the amount of time spent within a car, it's surprising that more attention wasn't paid to creating a truly special interior environment.
Nissan has thankfully abandoned the crossover craze and returned to its SUV roots with the new X-Trail. It’s like they’ve said, “Enough with the awkward proportions, let’s build something people can actually use.” A bold move, especially considering the current SUV landscape is teeming with wannabe off-roaders that struggle to climb a curb.
The X-Trail's front end is a refreshing departure from the overly aggressive grilles that seem to be the norm these days. Nissan's signature V-motion grille finally makes sense, looking less like a gaping maw and more like a confident smile. The LED headlamps and DRLs are a classy touch, though the bulb indicators are a glaring reminder that even the best cars have their quirks. It's like Nissan said, "Let's give 'em something to upgrade later."
In profile, the X-Trail is a study in understated elegance. Those 20-inch wheels fill the arches nicely, giving the car a planted stance. It's a far cry from the sloping rooflines that seem to be the fashion these days. This is a car designed for people, not fashionistas. The rear, however, is a bit of a mixed bag. The large, bulbous tailgate is a throwback to a simpler time when SUVs were about utility, not style. And while the lack of chrome might be a cost-cutting measure, it also gives the X-Trail a no-nonsense appeal.
While this particular variant might be a step down from the top-spec models, it's clear that Nissan has focused on building a solid foundation. The absence of fancy tech like ADAS and blind-spot monitoring might disappoint some, but it also means fewer things to go wrong. And let's face it, most of the time, these features are just distractions anyway.
The X-Trail feels substantial without being overly bulky. It’s like driving a well-tailored suit – comfortable, confident, and undeniably stylish. And the fact that it’s built in the UK gives it a touch of British eccentricity, which is always a good thing.
Now, let's talk turkey: the price. The X-Trail is expected to park itself somewhere between ₹40-45 lakhs. That's a hefty price tag, even for a car that can do backflips and serve you tea. While it's a fantastic SUV, it's like buying a designer handbag - it's lovely, but you're paying a premium for the label.
The problem is, there's a crowded marketplace filled with other luxury SUVs, both from the German stalwarts and their Japanese counterparts. These rivals are offering similar, if not more, features and prestige for a comparable or even lower price. It's like trying to choose between a gourmet burger and a classic cheeseburger - both delicious, but one might leave you feeling a bit shortchanged.
Then there's the matter of that variable compression engine. It's a marvel of modern engineering, no doubt, but it's also a bit of an unknown quantity in our harsh Indian driving conditions. It’s like sending a delicate flower to survive in the Sahara. Nissan promises to introduce more variants with added features, but it's a case of too little, too late. By the time they’ve sorted things out, the competition might have already stolen the show.
Ultimately, while the X-Trail is a capable and enjoyable SUV, it faces an uphill battle in a market that's becoming increasingly competitive. It's like trying to impress a date with a fancy restaurant when there’s a food truck serving up gourmet burgers next door.
Engine: 1.5-litre 3-cyl turbo with mild-hybrid
Power: 163hp
Torque: 300Nm
Transmission: 2WD CVT
Tyres: 255/45/R20
Dimensions: 4,680 X 1,840 X 1,725 mm
Bootspace: 585 litres
Ground Clearance: 210 mm
Wheelbase: 2,705 mm
Price: Expected Rs 40-45 lakh (ex-showroom)
