This SUV has been voted top recreational 4x4 by UK's Auto Express magazine. It beat all comers in the category including Land Rover Freelander and Honda CRV.

This truck is not available in North America but is in Mexico, certain Latin American territories, Australia/New Zealand, Japan and SE Asia, Middle East, South Africa and Europe.

For more information visit http://www.newxtrail.com/en/index_home.html

Ron

Hmm, how similar is that to the Murano that we're getting in the states, I wonder?


1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock

Got mine a couple of months back. Still not taken it anywhere interesting apart from a couple of blasts along a local beach, but its a very nicely put together truck with the 4wd system and 6-speed manual shift adapted from the Skyline GTR sports coupe.

Some quotes from the review section of "Auto-Express":

"....a wheelbase longer than that of anything else in the sector, and it frees up enough passenger and boot space to make a stretched Mercedes S-Class feel insecure."

"If there’s one thing that singles out the X-Trail as a true groundbreaker, however, it’s road manners. Nimble, light on its feet and equipped with the most direct steering ever found in a car of these dimensions."

"Not only is it great to look at and to drive, the X-Trail is pitched at a price which undercuts most of its rivals by some margin. As a result, here’s a car which really is an SUV for the 21st century."

"....an SUV capable of tackling the seemingly invincible Land Rover Freelander on its home turf."

Praise indeed!!

Try these links for reviews:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=47

http://www.4car.co.uk/jsp/main.jsp?lnk=231_2&reviewid=423&adkeyword=X-Trail

Ron

Ron

Cool ! Another european here <- is it allowed to call a brit a european ?
Wasn't the X-Trail supposed to hit the US market this year ? We have them since a year now and they sell pretty good.

NissanPatrol.de <- my business site
BART's world
'82 Patrol solid/solid on 33x9.5 BFG MT's

If you're not living on the edge,you're takin' up too much space !...and doors are for wusses
and I'm still one straight front axle ahead of McFly !

It will not be sold in the US as the market it covers is already filled by the Nissan Xterra.

Hmm I wonder do they sell Xterras in Europe then?

Nope. They do not. But I know of at least one Xterra driving around in Europe (JayZX/TyrannosaurusX of XOC in Italy)

Actually, I bet the Xterra and X-Trail could co-exist, other than price, they're not similar otherwise. I'll bet it's the Murano keeping the X-Trail from our market.

As for the X-trail, looks like Europe gets a 2.0L 16v or a 2.2L diesel (with 6-speed...), Australia gets a 2.5L engine, but Nissan is holding back on you, the Japanese version offers the 280 hp SR20VET 2.0L turbo engine! Boy wouldn't that be a screamer!

Brent

Yeah, I'm a Brit AND a European!!!

I've got the X-Trail Sport 2.2 diesel with 6-speed transmission. VERY pleased with it.

As far as I can tell, its pretty similar in terms of dimensions to the Xterra, but while the Xterra is built on a truck chassis, the X-Trail is of monocoque construction, so the two are quite different although I guess Nissan are pitching them at similar markets.

Ron

But did they *really* have to put the instrument cluster in the middle of the dash. I know of several people who have crossed it off their shopping list because of that!

Cheers, Alistair

It's no big deal having the instruments in the middle of the dash. Took no time at all to get used to and it seems to be a growing trend amongst manufacturers. Nissan's Primera also has this, as do a number of Renaults and Citroens. And lets not forget the original Mini of 40-odd years ago!!

Ron

The central gauge design probably also simplifies the manufacture of RHD and LHD variations of the trucks. One dash subframe to produce, common electrical harnesses, etc. It would make sense from a cost cutting standpoint.

Ron, oh what I would give for a diesel and a 6 speed. That sounds like a great combination!! Unfortunately, we cant get any diesels here.

---------------------------

Hey Ron, didn't want to step any toes mate
The reason for the XTerra not being available in Europe is that this market is pretty well covered by the Terrano. Same dimensions as the XTerra and coil sprung rear. In fact the Terrano shares the old style Pathfinder frame and suspension. I know quite a number of XTerras running around in Germany owned by US Forces staff located here.

NissanPatrol.de <- my business site
BART's world
'82 Patrol solid/solid on 33x9.5 BFG MT's

If you're not living on the edge,you're takin' up too much space !...and doors are for wusses
and I'm still one straight front axle ahead of McFly !

But Ron, the problem with the cluster in the middle is it brings back all those memories of vehicles that wouldn't start etc. And remember the Morris Minor and the Beetle....

Karsten, What chassis is the Terrano II? Is that straight WD21, or is it D22 based? I see there is a SWB TII as well....that looks fun. I'd love to chop about 12" out of the middle of a 3 door Pathy:)

Also, when are you going to upgrade the engine in the Pootrol....lots of guys here put 350 Chevs in the GQ....yours is an MQ isn't it, but I think it would still fit Just sowing that little seed...

Cheers, Alistair


1990 Terrano V6 Auto, 31x10.5 BFG M/T, No Sway Bars, ARB Bullbar, Snorkel, Front ARB Locker, Rancho RS9112 Shocks, TD27 Radiator & Hayden 3710 Fan

Yeah, but we're talking about a Nissan here. Japanese reliability!!!

Centrally mounted instruments also allow the driver to adjust the steering wheel to the best position without worrying about obscuring the view to the instruments. Research has also shown that clusters in such a position can be less distracting when you’re trying to concentrate on the road ahead.

As far as the Terrano is concerned, sure it uses the same type of suspension etc as the Xterra, but you look at the marketing for the X-Trail and the Xterra...........similar marketing, aimed at similar market niche. Don't know about any territories other than UK, but Terrano is just not marketed as an "active lifestyle" vehicle in the same way that X-Trail and Xterra are. Seems to me that Nissan sell the Terrano to farmers and the like looking for a "poor man's" Range Rover.

BTW I see that the Terrano is now available with a 3.0 litre diesel.

Ron