KEY POINTS:
The new Nissan X-Trail _ yes, despite the same-again styling, every body panel has been changed _ has a heavily upgraded four-wheel drive system. The `All Mode 4x4' set-up was one of the most appealing aspects of the old car, since it allowed the driver to flick between front-drive, on-demand four-wheel drive and a 50/50 lock for off-roading at the flick of a switch.
The new All Mode 4x4-i (the `i' is for intelligent) system is similar in operation, but also vastly more complex and effective _ the primary change is the inclusion of sensors monitoring side, front and rear G-forces, yaw rates and steering angles. The information gathered leads to improvements in the vehicle's stability.
All Mode 4x4-i also incorporates new features such as stability control, hill-start assist and hill descent control.
Clever stuff, and it all works brilliantly. But don't think the X-Trail has morphed into a serious off-road machine. It might be tougher and more versatile than before, but this mid-sized Nissan is still very much a crossover wagon designed for urban use.
In fact, the X-Trail platform provides the base for the Dualis crossover wagon that will replace the Primera sedan/hatch in 2008.
The X-Trail hasn't changed, on paper, a whole lot from the previous generation. It's bigger but has the same slightly awkward styling, and comes with a mildly made-over version of Nissan's 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 125kW/226Nm (expect a diesel later in 2008).
But the six-speed manual gearbox is new and the automatic option is now a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with six-step mode. The manual offers superior control but has a slightly clunky shift; the CVT is one of the smoother examples of the breed and evidence of Nissan's expertise in this area (CVTs are also used on the Primera, Maxima and Murano).
There's no doubt the new X-Trail is a considerably more sophisticated machine than the old.
The electric power steering lacks feel but is consistent in its weight, and the car rides smoothly on everything from tarmac to rough gravel roads.
Particularly impressive is the cabin finish. In an age where most main-stream new-cars have hard, cheaper-feeling plastics, the X-Trail's interior features soft-touch materials on almost every horizontal surface, from the dashtop to the door cappings.
Some of the more quirky stuff from the old car has been deleted _ the centrally mounted instruments have been shifted back in front of the driver and the unusual cupholders, which perched cans and bottles atop the dashboard, have not made it though to X-Trail generation two.
But there are new novelties to take their place. The comedy cupholders continue, with no less than six beverage slots in the new car, four of them heated and cooled. And peek under the luggage floor and find a small sliding drawer that can be used to keep valuables out of sight. Nice touch.
Standard in all new X-Trail models are a trip computer, cruise control, height-adjustable driver's seat, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, 12-volt cargo area power outlet, cargo area tie-down hooks, double luggage floor and a cargo area cover.
The ST-L gains 16-inch alloy wheels and the full 4x4-i transmission. The Ti adds 17-inch alloys, climate-control air-conditioning, a leather trimmed steering wheel and a six-speaker sound system with a six-stack, in-dash MP3-capable CD player, a large glass sliding power sunroof and front fog lights.
The Ti leather model has full leather upholstery with power operated seats and front seat heaters.
The entry ST, which does without the fancy new intelligent all-wheel drive system, starts at $35,395.
The mid-specification ST-L is priced from $36,895, while the range-topping Ti is priced from $40,595.
