Review: Nissan X-Trail 1.6 DIG-T

It’s good times for the Nissan X-Trail right now. Sales have trebled since this new one was introduced in 2014, and to continue the momentum, a facelifted model is now available in the UK.

It’s sharper on the outside, you can get a new Lamborghini-esque bright orange paint colour and, inside, it’s fancier and better-equipped. Nissan’s even treated the 50 percent of buyers who choose top-spec Tekna trim to Bose speakers, adaptive headlights and heated seats both front and rear.

There’s self-driving tech too. Nissan ProPilot is an adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping system that, promises the firm, will keep the X-Trail within its lane and rolling along with traffic at higher speeds with reduced input from the driver. It’s a tentative first step towards autonomous functionality.

You can get the X-Trail either with front- or four-wheel drive, and we’ve already experienced the 1.6-litre dCi and 2.0-litre dCi diesels overseas. For its UK debut, time to try out the petrol alternative, the 161bhp 1.6-litre DiG-T turbo.

Perhaps inevitably, it proves not as flexible. The 2.0-litre diesel has far more pulling power, so generally feels like it’s got more in reserve. But the petrol is quieter and smoother, albeit also a bit bland. If you’re a city-bound driver, you might well prefer it – and with an average of 46mpg compared to the 2.0-litre dCi’s 50mpg, won’t be penalized too badly for choosing it.

As with other versions, the X-Trail is a solid drive, with a comfortable ride and decent higher-speed stability. It cruises well and should rouse little cause for complaint. Off-road, the diesels are best, as you can get them with four-wheel drive; soft-roading will be a breeze, particularly if you lock the driveline in 4x4 mode.