Nissan's revised X-Trail SUV was finally unveiled in Geneva after being kept secretly under wraps. To be honest, it wasn't exactly what we were expecting when Nissan announced that an all-new car would be revealed, but the X-Trail has been gallivanting around both on and off road for a while now; it was time for a new model.

The latest iteration of the compact off-roader doesn't stray too far from the previous car's design. It still retains the classic, tall SUV proportions of the original, a model that was such a success that the company more than doubled anticipated sales. Key design cues of the old model, such as the solid shoulder line, large glasshouse and the window line, have been transferred to the newcomer.

And so Nissan has wisely chosen not to fix something that isn't broken. Instead, the company decided to revise the model by improving its practical aspects and robust qualities. The off-road ability of its forebear was well-known, so Nissan decided to increase the chassis strength and balance by employing the 'Alliance C-platform' that also underpins the recently launched Qashqai. The platform features strut-type suspension at the front with a multi-link system at the rear, both ends being mounted on separate rubber insulated sub-frames to provide isolation from vibrations and increase refinement.

Nissan also chose to fit such niceties as a revised 'all mode' four-wheel drive system, with its own variations of hill descent and ascent controls called 'downhill drive support' (DDS) and 'uphill start support' (USS). DDS is activated via a centre console mounted switch and operates when the 'all mode' system is in lock mode. It works in conjunction with ABS to maintain a descent speed of 7km/h, allowing the driver to concentrate on steering rather than focus on speed. The USS system is fully automatic and is triggered any time the vehicle is on a slope that exceeds a 10 per cent incline, applying the brakes until the driver presses the accelerator.

Inside, cabin and cargo volumes have been increased relative to the gain in exterior dimensions; the wheelbase has been stretched by 5mm to 2630mm and overall length increased by 175mm to 4630mm over the old model. Nissan's designers have fitted soft-feel materials, grained plastics, and employed contrasting colours to the cockpit surfaces to give the interior a quality feel. Sitting in the car at the show, it's obvious that the new X-Trail has an enhanced aura of quality over the outgoing car, but it still focuses on practicality.

Unlike its predecessor's centre-of-the-dash mounted instrument panel, the cluster has been repositioned behind the steering wheel in the new car. This move is claimed to allow greater versatility in the centre console, and provide space for a larger navigation screen and an in-dash mounted CD changer.

Boot space has grown 145 litres over the old model and now affords 555 litres of storage capacity with the rear seats in place. The height of the cargo hold has also increased by 127mm, enabling the fitment of a 'double-deck', with a sliding drawer under the floor to store valuable items.

Nissan's new X-Trail will continue to be manufactured at Nissan's plant in Kysuhu, Japan, with European sales set to commence this summer. Pricing and model availability have yet to be confirmed.

Eric Gallina - 21 Mar 2007