The X-Trail has had something of a strange history. If, for the purpose of reference, we cast our minds back to 1993 and recall the launch of its predecessor, the Terrano, some illuminating facts come to light. That car was developed in partnership with Ford, the car with the Blue Oval badge wearing a Maverick badge. Both models were too agricultural to compete with a slicker wave of compact 4x4s such as the Toyota RAV4. Ford went one way, first buying Land Rover to subsume the threat from the Freelander model and then collaborating with Mazda to develop another Maverick. Nissan, on the other hand, went back to the drawing board and developed the X-Trail, keeping the Terrano II on sale alongside it for those who appreciate something a little more rough and ready. The X-Trail has been tweaked incrementally over recent years and along with the latest set of alterations, entry-level 4x2 models were introduced and we???ve also seen alterations to the trim level line-up that men the 2.0-litre engine is only available with the 4x2 transmission. These changes build upon the improvements introduced during 2004 which saw 50mm shaved from the front of the car courtesy of a slimline new bumper. The front grille was also revised to give the nose a little more visual impact while round the back there were revised light clusters. Inside, there have been interior upgrades focusing on improving the look and feel of the cabin. The X-Trail???s signature design feature has always been the centre mounted instruments and this design has now been tweaked to house additional climate control switches and, where necessary, Nissan???s ???Birdview??? satellite navigation system. The seats have been beefed up a little with added bolstering at the sides and under the thigh and the X-Trail now features upright can holders as opposed to the horizontal holders used in the original version.

Whilst the 2.2dCi diesel version of the X-Trail is probably the better bet if you do intend to take your shiny Nissan mud-plugging, it???s the more urbane 2.0-litre petrol engine we examine here. Faced with a rather daunting off-road course, the omens for this X-Trail didn???t look particularly good even in 4x4 form. Here was a car that had a sweet purr at idle, a drive system that defaulted to front-wheel drive and a decidedly smooth on-road ride. Surely any serious off-roading would soon show the X-Trail up for the poseur it was? As the front wheels began to slip when ascending a mild but slippery incline it looked as if the Nissan had been cruelly found out, but with just a slight slur of the rev counter drive was diverted to the back wheels and momentum was restored. The fact that it borrows this technology from the Nissan Skyline supercar should silence most pub bores. The front and rear departure angles aren???t the greatest, the exhaust tip catching when cresting sharp edges, but otherwise the X-Trail acquits itself well. The peak torque of 142lb/ft is respectable but don???t think that makes this X-Trail an accomplished offroader. Taking this 4x2 model offroad may result in a long walk home as it???s no more capable than an ordinary family car with increased ride height. The fact that this entry-level version will still sell well shows how little time vehicles of this type spend with anything other than tarmac under their wheels. The 140bhp engine isn???t too punishing on fuel, returning a presentable 30.4mpg, the payback being its ability to hit 60mph in 11.3 seconds en route to a fairly academic 110mph. It???s a sweet engine, but the five-speed gearbox fitted to the X-Trail is about as slick and polished as John Prescott at the dispatch box when President Tony???s in Tuscany. Road manners are pretty near the top of the compact 4x4 tree. Roll is well suppressed and wind noise is also agreeably muted although the tyres will make an infernal din on poorly surfaced motorways. If you decide to go for the 2.0-litre 16v engine in your X-Trail you???ll have to choose SE trim. The SE model is available in manual 4x2 form only and it features body-coloured bumpers, 16" alloy wheels, climate control and a handy wipe clean luggage area. Prices start from ??16,825. Judged on the basis of all-round ability, the 2.0-litre 4x2 X-Trail model is just as accomplished on the road as the 4x4 but lacks much wherewithal off if. With the possible exception of gearshift quality of the 5-speed manual box, it???s difficult to point to one area where the X-Trail is markedly deficient. Nissan???s reputation for 4x4 products is in the ascendancy and, right at the minute, it???s fair to say that the X-Trail is sitting at the top of the compact 4x4 pile.