I have a 2.5 X-trail and it is a very good car. It has proved to be reliable but it is inevitably expensive to fuel. People do have a tendency to consider fuel as the main cost of ownership but it is important to factor in the initial purchase cost, resale values, tax, insurance, and repair costs. If you're doing a small mileage then the fuel costs are corresondingly less significant.

When purchasing the car I also looked at a Subaru Outback 2.5. The running costs were nearly identical but the X-trail offered outstanding comfort (unfortunately this has become an increasingly important consideration!) and a higher driving position. Added to this is the X-trail's extraordinary sunroof which lightens the cabin and hopefully reduces my youngest child's tendency towards multicoloured yawns on journeys of anything over 30 minutes.

If your primary use is to drive into the snowy wastelands of Canada then I'd be much more inclined towards the Subaru. As capable as the X-trail is in snow, the permanent 4WD of the Subaru will make it more surefooted.

The end advice will always be the same: drive both cars before you make your decision but please don't make fuel costs a huge factor unless you are committed to high mileages or unless the cost of fuel in Canada is exorbitant.