good motoring
This SUV stands out
H. Kishie Singh

AS a sports utility vehicle, it is ahead of the pack. The only shortcoming is that it does not have a low gear ratio. However, it does have six forward speeds, both with the manual gearbox and automatic gearbox, and this should give you that lower gear ratio required for off-roading. In addition, the auto gearbox has the "triptronic" shift. This means you can select gears manually in auto mode.

The Nissan X-Trail does have a 2-wheel drive and the all-mode 4x4. For normal driving it runs in a 2-wheel drive and it is the front wheels that provide the power. This helps in fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

In case an emergency develops and more traction is required, the vehicle shifts into a 4-wheel drive mode automatically. It is also possible for the driver to shift into a 4-wheel drive mode manually and lock the gearbox into permanent 4x4. This will be necessary for off-roading. An additional feature with the 4-wheel drive is the electronic stability programme. ESP automatically controls brake and engine output to enhance vehicle stability and prevent it from skidding.

The ESP also features a stable hill descent control. While off-roading and going down steep slopes, a vehicle aided by its speed, mass and gravity has a tendency to pick up speed. The hill descent control prevents this. Uphill starts are also a problem. The vehicle has a tendency to roll back. The hill start assist holds the vehicle without the need to use the hand brake or foot brake. A great asset at the Parwanoo barrier.

Electronic brake force distribution is another feature. This allows all four brakes to work together with equal force. The number of people in a car distributes the weight to the wheels differently. Consequently, the braking is different. The brakes will function differently in different conditions. EBD exerts the same force on the brakes to ensure safe braking. Brakes on all four wheels are ventilated discs.

This makes the X-Trail braking distance the best amongst the SUVs.

The X-Trail boasts of the new M9 R diesel engine, which is an in-line 4-cylinder DOHC with direct injection common rail diesel. It is all of 2000 cc but pumps out 110 ps at 4000 rpm and 320 nm of torque at 2000 rpm. For a 2000 cc engine, it competes with the best of the SUVs for fuel efficiency.

The highway average is 20 kmpl and 13 kmpl in the city. The Fortuner gives 17 kmpl on the highway and 10 kmpl in the city. The Endeavour gives 14 kmpl and 9 kmpl, respectively, while the Pajero gives a 10.5 kmpl and 5.5kmpl.

Getting into the X-Trail is easy, considering the keyless entry system is standard in almost all cars these days. The leather upholstery, cup holders, cubby holes, arm rests, split folding rear seats are also standard. What is different is the extra large sun roof which extends to the rear seat also. The glass area has UV-block. Cruise control, climate control and leather-wrapped steering wheels are all there.

The rear end is just as well thought out. A drawer slides under the flat rear floorboard; so does the spare wheel. Which means if you have to change wheels during the monsoon on a drive along the national highway, you have to pull out your luggage and put it on the muddy and slushy road.

I would never do that. I would drive on the flat tyre, rip the tyre to shreds and flatten the alloy rim by the time I get to a puncturewala.

A nice feature is the waterproof cargo area. It can be taken out and washed. That may be necessary if a dirty, shredded tyre was carried home.

There is so much bundled into the X-Trial that one of the most important safety features was overlooked. Every car has to have seat belts. That is mandatory by law. The X-Trail has six airbags — supplemental restraint system. Two in front for the driver and passenger, plus side airbags, plus curtains. Curtains help in preventing the head bashing into the side glass window. It is of great help in case you don’t wear a turban.

The X-Trail is available in three models — the LE at Rs 20.81 lakh; the SLX with manual transmission at Rs 23.10 lakh and the SLX with automatic transmission at Rs 25.08 lakh.

Happy motoring.