X marks the spot for new Nissan 4WD

Nissan is about to enter the popular soft-road market with the X-Trail, an obvious four-wheel-drive blood brother to the bigger Pathfinder and Patrol.

No one is saying much about the X-Trail at the moment, least of all Nissan New Zealand. But it is expected to go on sale here within the next two months, priced around $45,000.

Automotive News spied it parked outside a south Auckland supermarket the other day.

The front-drive X-Trail has earned itself a considerable reputation overseas, where its packaging has been praised as more rugged and adaptable than obvious 2-litre rivals, the Honda CR-V and Mazda Tribute.

There are a number of engine choices available in Europe and America but Nissan New Zealand is expected to import the model that uses a reworked version of the four-cylinder 2-litre Primera unit mated to a four-speed automatic transmission.

The engine in the Primera sedan produces about 100kW, but Nissan engineers have tweaked it to develop about 125kW for the heavier X-Trail.

The changes to the engine have also boosted torque, to the point where it is understood to peak at upwards of 220Nm. Much of it will be available in the mid range.

A peak inside the X-Trail revealed seats clothed in a waterproof nylon weave. Door trim and the dash are finished in a dimpled material and the boot lining appears reversable.

There appeared to be considerable head, shoulder and leg room front and rear.

The shelf-like dash extends across the width of the vehicle and there are cup-holders near each A-pillar.

The centre instrument panel contains two air-conditioned cylindrical cubby holes - in which to keep drinks cool. Much has been made of this feature overseas.

The electronic four-wheel-drive system is similar to the dial-on-demand unit in the Pathfinder, except for a low-range mode.

The X-Trail can be locked in two-wheel or four-wheel drive, or in auto mode, where the rear wheels come into play if the front lose grip. This is similar to the Mazda Tribute.

The X-Trail is smaller overall than the Pathfinder but looks like it makes more use of interior room. It has a wheelbase of 2625mm compared with the Pathfinder's 2700mm. It is 4510mm long against the Pathfinder's 4640mm. Height is 1675mm (1730mm), and width 1765mm (1840mm). It is considerably lighter, too, with a kerb weight of 1400kg against 1915kg.