KEY POINTS:
Nissan claims "same again, please" was the catchphrase from buyers of its first-generation X-Trail, which is why the all-new (and yes, it really is all-new) second-generation version looks almost identical. Well, that's the carmaker's story and it's sticking to it.
But it might also be that the company's desire to keep a family look and still distinguish between what it calls its "true SUV" (the X-Trail, Pathfinder and Patrol) wagons and its "crossover" models (the forthcoming Dualis and the Murano) left it very few places to go with this new model styling-wise.
But make no mistake, there have been some real advances in the new X-Trail. It's larger, better packaged, much higher quality than the previous car and boasts a new so-called intelligent all-wheel-drive system.
In many respects, the 2008 X-Trail is more conservative than the previous model. Wacky design details, such as the centrally mounted instruments and dashtop cupholders, have been deleted.
But in their place is a level of fit and finish far above most other cars in the segment - if you're driving a Honda CR-V or Mitsubishi Outlander you'll be surrounded by brittle plastics. Not in this Nissan, which is trimmed in soft-touch materials that add quality.
There are practical touches, too. The luggage compartment has a double floor. With the top deck in place, you can fold the rear seats away for a flat load-through and you also get a nifty slide-out drawer underneath to store valuables (it even has moveable partitions). Remove that false floor and you loose the load-through but gain even more cargo space in the boot. Nice.
The only downside is the plastic trim that covers the cargo floor and seatbacks. It looks good and is nicely finished but, unless the car is packed full, you'll find your bags sliding all over the place while you drive.
Nissan's fascination with "gearless" continuously variable transmission (CVT) technology continues in the X-Trail. As with so many of its type, the Nissan CVT is brilliant around town.
If you're content to cruise gently, the transmission gently slides up and down the rev range to find the optimum gearing. You even select a pseudo-manual six-step mode, although you never quite loose the sensation of the slipping CVT.
In harder driving, or on the open road, the CVT is less satisfactory. Aggression with the throttle results in too many revs and too much noise, and the combination of CVT with cruise control results in a lot of surging (by up to 20km/h) even on relatively flat roads. Nor is CVT as fuel-efficient as you might hope - on a 600km run at an average speed of 71km/h, our X-Trail Ti could only manage 10.9 litres per 100km/h. Bring on the diesel, which is due later this year.
Where the X-Trail does excel is in ride and refinement. Nissan seems to have solved the problem of road noise on coarse chip seal roads, and wind noise is remarkably low for such a tall and boxy vehicle.
It's not that sporty in the corners, but the X-Trail provides safe A-to-B passage and the i-AWD system, which incorporates predictive software and a full stability control system, is an extremely effective piece of engineering.
Being part of the fashion-conscious "school run" segment, the new X-Trail will not wow you with its styling.
So no, it won't set the curtains twitching in your street.
But Nissan's newcomer has qualities of refinement and practicality that make it a quiet achiever in an extraordinarily talented market segment.
The X-Trail has been left firmly in its box for this year, and that means it will be a vehicle to easily overlook.
But you'll be missing out on an accomplished all-rounder if you do.
Nissan X-Trail Ti
WE LIKE: Outstanding quality and refinement, nicely packaged.
WE DON'T LIKE: Not as thrifty as you'd think, slippery cargo tray.
THE FACTS
Basic price: $40,595.
Options fitted: None.
Price as tested: $40,595.
Warranty: 3 years/100,000 km.
POWERTRAIN AND PERFORMANCE
Engine: 2488cc petrol inline four.
Power: 125kW at 6000rpm.
Torque: 226Nm at 4400rpm.
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission with 6-step mode, switchable front-drive, on-demand all-wheel-drive and 50/50 lock.
ADR fuel consumption: 9.3 litres. per 100km
SAFETY
Active driver aids: Anti-lock braking with force distribution and brake assist, traction and stability control, intelligent all-wheel-drive.
Passive restraints: Front, side and curtain airbags, five lap-sash seatbelts.
ANCAP adult occupant crash test rating: 4-star/87 per cent.
VITAL STATISTICS
Wheels and tyres: 17-inch alloy wheels, 215/65 tyres.
Length: 4630mm.
Height: 1685mm.
Width: 1785mm.
Wheelbase: 2630mm.
Kerb weight: 1554kg.
Fuel tank: 65 litres.
Luggage capacity: 603/1773 litres (seats up/down).
