However, this isn’t a perfect machine. Where it excels in terms of drivability, it falters by having a rather drab interior. As a CBU that’ll no doubt command a steep price, the absence of a proper, contemporary touchscreen unit with wireless Android Auto /Apple CarPlay and ADAS is rather conspicuous. Especially since the models in international markets have these features. There’s also no option of ventilated seats or even powered ones for the front passengers. What it does have is a huge panoramic sunroof, seven airbags, parking sensors and a wireless charging dock, among other things. But those are par for the course with a car as big and plush as this. Hopefully, the next batch of imports will address this, because, in every other way, the X-Trail is a remarkable machine. And it is big, even on the inside where you can adjust the middle row for a bit more room for the third row. Nothing revolutionary, but it’s spacious enough. The X-Trail also happens to be particularly well insulated, letting in none of the scents and sounds of a cacophonous Delhi, where I find myself driving it. It helps that the air curtains in the bumpers help channel air away from the tyres, making the X-Trail remarkably quiet on the road.
Although its ground clearance is sufficiently high, the X-Trail isn’t specifically designed for trail-bashing, as evidenced by its front wheel drive set-up. The absence of all-wheel drive is offset by Nissan having provided it with a limited-slip differential, which should help it get out of the odd rut or two. Given that most SUVs in India are sold with two-wheel drive as standard, this shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. Especially given how well the X-Trail rides on uneven surfaces. It’s softly sprung, yet composed and stable at high speeds.
The new X-Trail has all the elements Nissan is known for – its built feels rock solid and though understated, often, under the surface, there’s a level of quality here that immediately puts you at ease. The X-Trail is officially back in business.
