• Three diesels, two petrol options
• Most powerful diesel packs a punch
• Petrol is smoother, but lacks 4×4 option

Diesel fans are well catered for in the X-Trail range – there’s a choice of four, whereas there’s only one petrol option. The diesels make up the overwhelming majority of used Nissan X-Trails for sale.

Nissan X-Trail 2014-2022 engine range

You’ll find four-wheel drive models available with either Xtronic CVT automatic,  or a manual gearbox (if you want the 2.0-litre with a manual gearbox, it’s only available with 4×4).

Petrol models are front-wheel drive, and the 1.6-litre is only available with a manual gearbox. However, the petrol automatic 1.3-litre is the best two-pedal option if you don’t need 4×4. It uses a dual-clutch seven-speed (DCT) gearbox rather than the Xtronic CVT, making it rather more refined and efficient.

Handling

• Safe rather than scintillating
• Good body control and comfortable ride
• Four-wheel drive provides all-weather ability

It’s neither as comfortable nor as planted as its Qashqai sibling (the two cars share the fundamental engineering platform underneath different bodies). The X-Trail feels a bit more ponderous, but it rides well absorbing most lumps and bumps in the road, even on the larger 18in and 19in alloy wheels.

On the road, it’s difficult to notice any great differences between two- and four-wheel drive versions of the X-Trail. It’s only inclement conditions that will highlight the desire and benefit to have a four-wheel drive version, or if you plan to take it off-road.

If you regularly drive on slippery roads that are particularly bad in winter, you’ll appreciate the security and peace of mind the four-wheel drive X-Trails offer. A rotary switch near the gearlever lets you switch between 2wd and 4wd, although the electronics can summon all-wheel drive in either mode if they detect wheel slippage.