Nissan X-Trail (2007 – 2014) Review
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Nissan X-Trail (2007 – 2014) At A Glance
Excellent drive on tarmac and very competent off road, large boot, plenty of standard equipment.
Starting to feel dated, lacks refinement, new 2.0 dCi 150 short of lowdown pull, has been trouble with DPFs on diesels.
It has a family resemblance to the old X-Trail. But it's actually completely different. If feels different from the easily accessed driving seat (low door sills will please many drivers). The instruments are in front of you instead of in the middle of the dash. And once you get going it soon becomes apparent it's both stiffer and sharper in the handling department without sacrificing any ride comfort.
Reviews for Nissan X-Trail (2007 – 2014)'s top 3 rivals
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Nissan X-Trail (2007 – 2014) handling and engines
- Engines range from 2.0 dCi 150 to 2.5 16V
- Readers report Real MPG to be between 22–47 mpg
Road handling is in the same class as the Mitsubishi Outlander, Citroen C Crosser and Peugeot 4007. Better than the Freelander II, RAV-4 and CR-V, but without the extraordinary combination of feelgood qualities that endears the CR-V to all who drive it. So it's merely excellent for an SUV, but no better. It offers the option of switching to 2WD only, for economy, for example on a dry motorway, or to centre diff lock for off-roading.
The surprise came with the 173PS 2.0 litre diesel with 6-speed manual box and the addition of hill descent control (manuals have HDC; autos don't). This shifts easily as rapidly as a RAV-4 T180, with less engine inertia so it actually feels more sprightly. You are up to serious speeds quite quickly and the car remains reassuringly stable.
We were sent in the same road cars, on the same road tyres we had been using on a fairly demanding and demonstrative off road course. The first shock was seeing the X-Trail in front put a rear wheel four feet in the air. The second was the complete lack of drama inside the car as we did exactly the same thing ourselves.
Some of the course was routine, but the instructors were out to prove to us the true capability of the cars. One obstacle course looked completely impossible for a mid-size road-spec MPV, but having seen the X-Trail in front accomplish it, there was no excuse and again it demolished a task no normal person would ever attempt with a total lack of fuss.
The other attributes of the car are a bigger load capacity of 603 litres boot only (1,773 litres to the roof with the rear seats folded). This is wisely split up with double-deck boot offering a deep sliding tray for day-to-day use, leaving 479 litres between it and the luggage cover. All the parts of this can be removed to maximise luggage capacity.
There is even scope for some decent economy. The 2.5 manual is the only engine and transmission over 225g/km. The 2.0 150PS diesel emits 190g/km and is quoted at 39.8mpg combined. So ‘planet damage' is minimised (though not as much as by the less powerful, more economical CR-V diesel).
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 | 33 mpg | 11.1 s | 208 g/km |
| 2.0 dCi 150 | 40 mpg | 11.2–12.5 s | 188–190 g/km |
| 2.0 dCi 173 | 38–44 mpg | 10.0 s | 168–198 g/km |
| 2.5 16V | 29 mpg | 9.8 s | 230 g/km |
Real MPG average for the Nissan X-Trail (2007 – 2014)
Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.
Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.
Average performance
95%
Real MPG
22–47 mpg
MPGs submitted
272
Nissan X-Trail (2007 – 2014) interior
- Boot space is 603–1773 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4630–4635 mm |
| Width | 1785–1790 mm |
| Height | 1680–1700 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2630 mm |
The rear seat backs fold down separately 40:20:40 to increase versatility. There are an abundance of beverage holders: two cooled canholders, two normal cupholders and two bottle holders in the front and two cupholders in the back. The optional Birdview satnav shows traffic hold-ups. Driver's seats are height adjustable with adjustable lumbar support, but front passengers get neither of these.
Nissan X-Trail (2007 – 2014) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4630–4635 mm |
| Width | 1785–1790 mm |
| Height | 1680–1700 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2630 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 1563–1711 kg |
| Boot Space | 603–1773 L |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| Servicing | 12500 miles |
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £19,245–£31,700 |
| Insurance Groups | 32–35 |
| Road Tax Bands | H–L |
| Official MPG | 29.4–44.1 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | 4 |
| Child | 4 |
| Pedestrian | 2 |
| Overall | - |
On sale until August 2014
| SUV | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 2.0 dCi 150 Tekna 5dr Auto | £31,700 | 39.8 mpg | 12.5 s |
| 2.0 dCi 173 Acenta 5dr | £25,595 | 44.1 mpg | 10.0 s |
| 2.0 dCi 173 n-tec+ 5dr | £27,595 | 44.1 mpg | 10.0 s |
| 2.0 dCi 173 Tekna 5dr | £29,995 | 44.1 mpg | 10.0 s |
On sale until April 2013
| 4 X 4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| 2.0 dCi 150 Platinum 5dr Auto | £30,575 | 39.8 mpg | 12.5 s |
| 2.0 dCi 173 Platinum 5dr | £29,190 | 44.1 mpg | 10.0 s |
On sale until February 2009
Model History
- March 2007: New X-Trail revealed
- September 2007: X-Trail goes on sale
- April 2009: X-Trail range revised
- August 2010: X-Trail updated
- September 2010: Revised X-Trail launched
- December 2014
March 2007
New X-Trail revealed
Now slightly longer at 4,630mm with longer wheelbase of 2,630 making it longer than the current CR-V.
555 litre boot. Rear seats fold 40:20:40 and when folded leave total loadspace to roof of 1,773 litres.
New dashboard like Qashqai's, with instruments in front of the driver and central panel reserved for satnav. Enhanced 'All-Mode' 4WD system with both descent and ascent assist.
Now four engines: 140PS 2.0 petrol, 170PS 2.5 petrol, and 2.0 litre chain cam 16v diesels with outputs of 150PS and 320Nm or 173PS and 360Nm to keep it competitive with the RAV-4 T180. 6-speed manual transmission with all or optional torque converter clutch 6-selectable ratio CVT with the petrol engines and torque converter 6-speed auto with 150PS diesel.
2.0 150PS dCi manual does 0-60mph in 10.9 seconds, top speed 117mph, 37.9mpg combined and emits 190g/km C02. Direct competitor to Freelander II 2.2 diesel auto, as neither Honda nor Toyota offer a CR-V or RAV-4 diesel auto.
September 2007
X-Trail goes on sale
Three core grades – TREK, SPORT and AVENTURA with upgrade models on SPORT and AVENTURA. Automatic transmissions available on both diesel and petrol engines. 173PS diesel offers towing capacity of 2,200kg. Standard across the range are Bluetooth phone integration, alloy wheels and climate controlled air conditioning. Extra large trunk space with double deck flooring and a sliding drawer.
- Trek starting price – £18,795 (2.0 petrol)
- Sport starting price – £20,695 (2.5 petrol)
- Aventura – starting price £22,695 (2.5 petrol)
- To upgrade from 2.5 petrol to 2.0dCi 150PS add £800
- To upgrade the 2.0 dCi from 150PS to 173PS add £1000
- For CVT transmission add £1200 – 2.5 petrol only
- For 6 speed automatic transmission add £1100 – 2.0dCi 150PS only
- Sport eXpedition and AVENTURA eXplorer upgrades both cost £1700
- eXtreme upgrade – roof rails with integrated lamps – costs £425
150PS diesel returns a combined fuel consumption figure of 39.8mpg and 190g/km of CO2. Intercooled 173PS diesel offers 38.2mpg combined with 198g/km CO2.
All-alloy 16 valve 2.0-litre petrol engine produces 141PS and 196Nm of torque is fitted to the TREK. 90 per cent torque available from 2,400rpm. 32.5mpg combined with 208g/km CO2.
2.5-litre 169PS petrol engine now offers peak torque 233Nm, but 29.4mpg and 230g/km of CO2.
Extra kit of DVD satellite navigation with voice recognition, colour rear parking camera, intelligent key and chrome door handles to the SPORT or DVD satellite navigation with voice recognition, colour rear parking camera and xenon headlamps on the Aventura would normally cost an extra £1700 but for a limited time this is reduced to £1000. Sport eXpedition 2.5 now starts from £21,695 and Aventura eXplorer from £23,695 for the 2.5 petrol. Add £800 for 150PS 2.0dCi.
Extra spec of Sport over Trek includes ALL-MODE 4x4-i, the intelligent version of the 4x4 system that not only transfers from 2wd to 4wd when conditions sense it is required but now also features Electronic Stability Control (ESP), Uphill Start Support (USS) and Downhill Drive Support (DDS). SPORT also comes with 17" alloys, front fog lamps, panoramic sunroof, cruise control, privacy glass, speed sensing auto lock, rain sensing wipers, auto headlamps and a 6 x CD auto-changer with 6 speakers.
From 1997 the X Trail has had air-conned dashboard water bottle holders. A horizontal push-flap at the side of each vent opens or closes the air to them.
Diesel has an electronic oil level meter: push the trip meter within 20 secs of starting engine.
April 2009
X-Trail range revised
Replacing the Sport and Trek models, the new entry-level X-Trail is the Acenta powered by the 173PS 2.0-litre diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission for optimal performance and economy.
At £22,345 it costs £525 less than the previous equivalent Sport model but comes with additional features including an MP3 socket, new black-finished dashboard and chrome door handles. Also has standard climate control, six CD player with Bluetooth, panoramic glass sunroof, alloy wheels, six airbags and cruise control.
New top X-TRAIL is the Tekna which inherits the old Aventura Explorer’s spec sheet – so leather, powered and heated seats, DVD satnav, rear parking camera, xenon headlights – and adds a few tasty morsels of its own. New design of 18in alloy wheel and a Bose sound system of digital, eight-channel amplifier and nine speakers acoustically tuned to the X-TRAIL interior for a live-performance sound.
In 173PS manual form the Tekna costs from £25,595, £550 less than the previous Aventura Explorer. The popular automatic model, teamed with the 150PS diesel engine, costs from £26,795 with all the same Tekna features as the manual.
August 2010
X-Trail updated
The changes refresh the exterior styling; improve the interior quality and functionality, as well as mechanical and aerodynamic changes.
Front end completely restyled. At the rear, the lights have been updated to incorporate LEDs for the running lights and braking, improving visibility and, therefore, safety. The indicator is incorporated into the lower portion of the light assembly, with the running/brake lights to the outside of it.
Increase in wheel size, with a ten-spoke 18-inch alloy wheel design, which is also wider, now up to 225/55/18 in size. There is also a new double five-spoke design of 17-inch wheel, giving an added premium feeling to the X-TRAIL Acenta.
Overall length has increased by 10mm as a result of the redesigned front end, while the height and width also increase by 10mm due to the increase in tyre width and diameter.
Interior updated to give a more harmonious ambience thanks to improved materials and better colour coordination, in particular, the area around the base of the A-pillar. Materials used for the switch surrounds on the steering wheel, around the gear selector and on the door-mounted armrest have all been improved for better touch feeling, while thicker, soft-touch materials have been chosen for the cloth seats.
For the leather equipped interior, the stitching is more attractive and more premium. The driver will appreciate the improved visibility and legibility of the new main combimeter, with bigger and clearer speed and engine speed readouts enhancing the quality. In between those principal dials is a new drive computer with a white-on-black display for maximum clarity. The computer offers a series of useful information for the driver, including: fuel economy, outside temperature (including ice warning function), cruising range, average speed and a reminder to take a break.
Rear occupant comfort has been improved thanks to redesigned front seats, creating an additional 10mm of knee-room, without compromising on comfort for the front seat occupants.
The X-Trail now comes with with a glovebox that will either keep its contents warm or cold – ideal for drinks. The heating system has been upgraded for quicker warm-up, as well as to be more efficient cooling in hot conditions. Rear seat warmers, offer two levels of heating.
The manual gearbox has revised ratios for a better compromise between acceleration, fuel economy and emissions, while the automatic gearbox has been modified for reduced friction. An additional feature is the gearchange indicator function in the drive computer screen, showing drivers when to change gear for optimised economy.
September 2010
Revised X-Trail launched
Entry level X-Trail remains Acenta, now priced at £23,995 on-the-road. This undercuts the Honda CR-V ES diesel by £685, and the Land Rover Freelander GS by more than £1,000. Standard equipment on the Acenta includes body coloured electrically adjusting door mirrors, privacy glass, automatic headlamps and wipers, front fog lamps and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Range-topping Tekna model costs £27,495. Additional features above Acenta trim include power-folding door mirrors, xenon headlamps, panoramic sunroof and leather seats. The infotainment package incorporates a Connect Premium HDD sat-nav with music server and USB port, a rear view camera and BOSE audio with nine speakers.
Emissions for the 2.0-litre dCi 173PS diesel manual now stand at 168g/km. The 2.0-litre dCi 150 PS diesel automatic also benefits from a CO2drop from 216g/km to 188g/km. Fuel economy improves from 34.9mpg to 39.8mpg on the combined cycle.
The 173PS manual is still rated to tow a trailer weighing up to 2,200 kg, has 360Nm of torque at just 2,000rpm and accelerates from 0-62mph in 10 seconds.
Mechanical revisions include a new manual gearbox for optimised environmental performance, and an improved shift schedule and enhanced friction reduction for the automatic transmission. The car also features low rolling resistance tyreson Acenta 17-inch wheels and lightweight castings on Tekna 18” wheels.
December 2014
Nissan C-Trail 2007-2014 shown to be the 7th most reliable SUV in Warranty Direct's claims records.
What to watch out for
One report of failed CD player needing to be replaced.
On early cars, Diesel Particulate Filters on 2.0 dCi 150 and 173 did not seem to actively regenerate very well, so too many short runs from cold, short runs generally and low rev use can choke them up. Several reports of this. It is engine speed that regenerates, not vehicle speed, so try to keep the revs about 2,500 for 10 miles or so by running in 5th or 4th.
Nissan recommends that when the DPF regen light comes on, ignore the "drive above 40mph" advice in handbook (can do 55mph in 6th and no regeneration as revs only 1,750)....and drive at 2,000rpm or more. For city-based drivers limited to 30mph, they would probably need to drive around in 2nd gear in 30mph zones for regeneration to take place (hopefully for no more than 20 mins) or find nearest dual carriageway or M way.
There is a dealer TSB involving a software upgrade for the 2.0 dCi that gives a bit more torque from 1,500rpm.
Door actuator can get very noisy and have to be replaced - apparently a known problem on other Nissan models.
Rear diff problem reported at 4 years old and 43k miles with request for other reports of the same fault.
01-05-2012:Wiring loom from body of car to hatchback can suffer breakages, leading to failure of high level brake light, rear wiper, etc.
19-05-2012:DPF failures still occurring on 2007-2009 X-Trail. Owner reported that two blockages had cleared by driving at over 50mph, but another occurred at 33,000 that would not clear and could not be cleared by a forced regeneration by the dealer. Owner given option of £300 ECU re-map, but warned a new DPF could cost £3,000 (not true).
05-08-2012:Report of a 3 year old X-Trail needing a new DPF at a quoted cost of £1,800, later reduced after complaint to £771.92.
25-04-2013:Metal flexes around the tailgate handle, cracking the paint and allowing a rust spot to develop.
27-06-2013:Another DPF failure reported, this on a 61k mile 2008 X-Trail, regularly driven and serviced. Owner quoted £1,534 to replace the DPF because he had attempted a `Terraclean' a this local Bosch Approved centre.
24-08-2013:Timing chain failure reported on 95k mile 2.0 dCi.
05-10-2013:Warranty on 2.0 litre desel extended from 3 years to 4 years to cover a main bearing problem.
Another report of Qashqai and X-Trail 2.0 dCi being recalled ostensibly because of a potential problem of severe driving conditions causing the engine bearings to wear and lead to con-rod and main bearing failure, then being returned to the owners with significantly reduced power and torque. This case was a 2011/61 X-Trail Tekna 173PS.
24-06-2014:Rear diff of October 2010 Nissan X-Trail 2.0 dCi 173 failed at 55,000 miles due to a manufacturing defect. Nissan offered £500 towards £3,000 replacement cost.
10-05-2015:Diesel leak reported from top inspection/float sensor hatch seals of fuel tank of 45k mile 2008 X-Trail 2.0 150PS model. Replacement seals failed to stop the leak and plastic tank was judged to be distorted and unrepairable. Quoted £1,047 to replace it.
12-09-2015:On 50k mile 2007 X-Trail 2.0DCI 150 brake discs and dampers needed replacing for 2014 MoT; R ear passenger (electric) door lock stopped door opening from inside but would from outside. Needed lock swap. Parts cost £100. Rain water leaked into load area from top hatch seal; silicone glued a tear in seal near roof.
31-01-2017:Report of oil pump failure of 2008 Nissan X-Trail 2.0 DCI at 35,700 miles and resltant seizure of the engine.
27-07-2017:Report of 2011 Nissan X-Trail recently having front wheel misalignment corrected and two new Avon ZX7 front tyres fitted at a national tyre franchise. The rear tyres were part worn but the tyre fitter didn't warn owner of the perils of mixing part worn and new tyres on an automatically clutched four wheel drive vehicle. Within a few miles of motorway driving a speed dependant hum developed. The noise got worse and driver had to call out a breakdown service that diagnosed failure of the rear differential. The car was recovered to a Nissan garage who have informed owner that a new diff will cost around £2500 plus fitting. They measured the front tyre tread depths at 7.59mm & 6.36mm and the rears at 5.48mm and 3.39mm. Failure caused by disparity between the tyres.
20-05-2018:Insurmountable problems reported with 2007/57 Nissan X-Trail 2.0DCi 173 at 112k miles. Owned 5 years from 51k. DPF issues past 18 months. Second Off and cleaned professionally plus regen in garage and oil and filter. Journeys above 2,500 revs and reasonable distances c150 miles, but DPF light on again after 5 days. Turbo and EGR valve changed last year. Nissan checked system updated for fact 3rd sensor is not used. Other sensors ok. No one, not even Nissan can suggest what the real problem is. All say not the DPF but only the DPF light comes on and the engine light did before professional off car DPF clean. Still getting noticeable flat spots particularly at 40 mph. New prop shaft, tyres, service tracking rods snd battery in past 12 months.
18-08-2019:Report of satnav problems with 2008 Nissan X-Trail. After driving for around 10 minutes, the Satnav screen freezes and then eventually goes blank (but you can still see a back light behind the screen). This also affects the cd/radio/phone and reversing camera as it is all part of the same unit. Owner tried fitting another full unit including screen and this seems to have exactly the same problems. The only way he can get it to work again is once the car has cooled down and he restarts the engine, but then after 10 minutes the same problem occurs. The only part he did not change is the Satnav DVD reader in the glovebox.
