Test drive Nissan X-Trail 2001-2003 SUV

Fashion for compromises

These two all -terrain vehicles belong to the same class, but have completely different characters and cost completely different money.
Fashionable evil
What is allowed to Jupiter is impossible to bull. You can not harness into one cart ... Born to crawl ... What are our more proverbs about parquet all -around? Oh yes, all crickets know your pole. In fact, it is impossible to combine controllability and cross -country ability, comfort and endurance in one car. But the SUVs were released, released and, apparently, will be released for a long time. After all, we buy them with you. Sometimes and without hesitation: do I need such a car? Why? Because fashionable - this is perhaps the main thing. Fashion is a thing, though intangible, but dear. The recent new products of the parquet all-terrain vehicles-the long-Beneral Mitsubishi-Pajero-Pinin and Nissan-X-Trail-for all its single-class and five-timer, cost completely different money. The rather practical and unpretentious Mitsubishi give for twenty -four thousands of thousands, for considered the last squeak of fashion Nissan ask almost ten pieces more. Having brought the car to the nose to the nose, we decided to find out whether it is worth a sheepskin?
Fit for non -hubs!
Structurally two duels, like aliens from different planets. Pinin is a native of the glorious all -terrain family of Mitsubishi, who, however, ate little porridge in childhood: he did not grow, no matter how hard he tried.
However, Pinin is complicated quite likely. Look, he has a frame integrated into the body - without it it is even more difficult to imagine a normal alternate than a pirate without a blindfold. The rear suspension is an uncertain beam that is not afraid of blows to soil, stones, stumps and roots. On this, however, you can put a bold point. After all, a full -fledged all -resistant transmission of economic considerations gave way to a constant complete drive with Wylskyoft as an interaxine differential. You can, of course, order a 5-door baby and with a super-seal, but, firstly, only with a 2-liter engine, and, secondly, it will cost Dorset a couple of thousand from above.
The appearance of Pinin does not cause any doubts about family relationships with a big Pajero. A courageous, accurate profile, a body without architectural excesses. Unlucky, gloomy headlights, as if dissatisfied with the vegetation in the city. Natural bullying about four wheels, tearing in search of adventure.
Nissan is a completely different opera. Firstly, even against the backdrop of the Pinin, the Ix-trail, a natural car, a carrier car, an independent suspension, only more than, say, Almer, the road lumen hints at an all-resistant character. Of the gearbox, only the buttons of connecting the rear axle on the front panel remained. In a word, not a fighter. But beautiful, bitch, nothing to say. Not completely blurry, but not unnecessarily faced, not large and not small, but such as it should, with pretty optics and elegant wheels. Such a Milyaga! And having climbed inside Nissan, you begin to understand where the extra thousands came from in the price tag.
 
Throwing Nissan's armrest, you can find another box for little things

The possibility of transforming the salon in Mitsubishi is not so wide
      
   
The ascetic salon is implicitly preparing for adventures, but behind it could be more spacious
      
   
Personally, the dashboard located in the center seemed not very well readable, but no complaints about the rear sofa
      
 
Full stuffing
The salon X-trail is a rare case when anything is a dish or a delicacy. As an aperitif - design. In order not to walk around the bush for a long time, let's say: in our opinion, the interior of the X-trail is the most stylish and fashionable among all the SUVs. The main treat is an impeccable combination of colors and materials. From the first minutes, the driver and passengers in the cabin, a caressing pride, is transmitted luxury of an expensive car in the cabin. Perhaps even more expensive than in fact. But there are also seasonings for every taste: high-quality leather upholstery, built into the front panel of the CD changer for six discs, the radio control of the radio on the steering wheel. Real jam!
But the menu seems endless. We did not mention the scope for the rear passengers - the leg by the leg without problems. And also: a large trunk with an absolutely even floor, numerous drawers and pockets for small things that facilitate the life of the driver and his guests, cooled and heated (you don’t want a soup?) Boxes for drinks. Isn't that important? Everything is even too good.
Therefore, to transplant from the X -trail to Pinin - all the same, as after the restaurant, go to the cafe without any venture. In principle, they will feed, but without delights ... Farewell to the central console, the 90s, an unregulated steering column, the total absence of all the same useful hooks and cavities for trifles. And you can pepper: the distance between the gas and the brake pedals is minimal, stomping along both easier to light.
The trip in the back row will not be too glad to travel in five -door Pinin. Behind the driver of an eighty meter, you will sit back. Yes, and the trunk does not at all surprise with volume (although the reserve hangs on the fifth door), however, as well as the possibilities of transformation. However, the score for lunch, as it is easy to guess, will not amaze with the number of zeros. Well, if there is a desire, you can also stuff Pinin’s interior saturated with the Spartan spirit to the eyeballs. Is it just worth it?
      
Italian baby
The word Pinin in the title means not only the compact dimensions of the car (Pinin in Italian - baby). No wonder on the front wings of this Pajero flaunts the wool of Pinfarin! The world -famous body atelier has a direct relationship to the Japanese jipik. Firstly, the masters from the town of Grulyasko turned the Japanese prototype Pinin- the Pajero-I.0 model. Under the European taste. But that's not all. Italians are also engaged in assembly of a parquet all -around. For Pininfarina, such a practice is quite familiar. It is enough to recall that such well-known cars such as Alfa Romeo-Pidder or Peugeot 406-Cup were developed and produced exclusively at the Italian Pinfarines factory.
  
 


The trunk provides a 12-volt outlet and bracket mounting brackets
 
Electric windows are present only in front
 
   
Under the floor of the trunk, a tool for tools

Between the speedometer and the tachometer convenient indicator of automatic transmission modes
  
Not at ease
Uncompromising Pinin on the asphalt. In the city, the adventurer behaves a little rudely. Bukh, Bukh, Bukh! - the rear axle responds irritably to any irregularities of the coating. U-oo-oo-oo ...-the engine is full and loudly howls, for a more or less temperamental overclocking, requiring high speeds. TRA-TA! - Knights the fraction of pebbles along the bare wheel arches of the rear wheels. The city dweller who is accustomed to the comfort of the sedan is unlikely to like this. The same, who sleeps and sees themselves as a real jeeper, can only appeal to Pinin. Yes, and now - the brakes were pleased. Ay, well done - effective, transparent! High class.
Nissan does not complain of brake dynamics. In all other respects, the X -trail is a solid modern passenger station wagon. One has only to get used to the dimensions - hefty and weighty, like a suitcase from Samsonite, the hood is clearly visible from the driver's seat - and it seems to you that they spent more than one year in this car. But the 2-liter 140-horsepower four, according to subjective impressions, are not much lucky than 114-horsepower one and eight Pajero.
Even at high speeds, silence in the cabin is just mystical. Only the sounds of music and light shocks, transmitted to the body from the wheels. The suspension here is quite tough, but controllability at an amazing level for an all -round level. The rolls are almost invisible, and the tires stubbornly resist the side slipping for a long time. Blimey! A manual box here, and the X-trail could become a real athlete, not a sprinter, perhaps, but a runner in rough terrain.
Demi -season coat
But this is all in the warm season. If under the wheels it is not dry asphalt, and not May is outside the windows, then the scope of the SUVs expands significantly. On a wet and slippery coating thanks to a constant full drive, both Pinin and the X-trail are driving like Sukhu. Snow dumps left at night with a grader - thanks, uncle, so made friends! - They also do not represent difficulties, as well as a frame in the borders. It is a pity, neither Nissan nor Mitsubishi are equipped with self -locking differentials. At a sharp start at the mixture - an asphalt with ice - a couple of SUVs, uselessly slipping, grind with wheels, like ordinary cars.
 
    

 
The joystick joystick is very convenient
 
The central console X-trail is not only functional, but also quite beautiful
   
All kinds of boxes and pockets for small things in the Nissan salon at every step
 

    
What's how much
A Pajor-Pinin with a 1.8-liter engine, a 4-speed automatic and a five-door ku-zovi, has visited us on the test, is estimated at $ 24,490. The standard equipment of this option includes ABS and the system of distribution of brake forces, air conditioning with an anti-drum filter, and front pillows. safety, cast discs, a radio with a liquid crystal display. Having paid another three thousand dollars, you will receive a version with a more powerful 2-liter GDI engine (129 hp), as well as a CD player, arcs on the roof and two-color coloring.
The cheapest X trail in Russia can be found for $ 30,000. Moreover, for this money, the car will be perfectly packaged. ABS, anti -angle, steering wheel, electric package, four airbags, radio and cast discs, is it good? The convenience of the machine will cost an additional $ 1300. We have a X-trail in the Elegance Grade configuration on our test. It additionally includes chrome door handles and a radiator grille, a huge roof hatch, of course, with an electric drive, a leather interior, a six discs, a joystick of an audio system on the steering wheel and very beautiful grates for speakers for titanium.
Everywhere a wedge
And what do we have with patency? After all, our duelists - no one pulled the tongue! - Although parquet, but all -around! On the X-traile, let's say, do not meddle on the soil driveway to the country cottage. Only sides will be hung for him, but make people laugh.
 
Do not believe, then look under the bottom. Not only that the Carter’s pallet and handouts are not protected by anything, but also the back of the muffler, which resembles a moonshine battery with its volume and shape, peers out from under the bumper that a beer lover with trouser experience. So you will move to the X-trail from the high road, look under your feet, that is, under the wheels. God saves man, who save himself.
Alas, geometric patency is not the only breakdown in the defense of Nissan. No wonder, after all, people who know the SUVs by cars with a high clearance. A harmless peel at first glance did not bode of trouble. And suddenly on you - screaming with the front wheels with displeasure, the black suitcase stopped. More gas is zero emotions. Even a rigidly connected rear bridge was corrected. The usual diagonal unloaded two wheels - the workshop of the pendants is negligible for an all -around and rather suitable for a sports compartment - and the car was trapped.
I had to take it back. Here it is - reckoning for good handling! In general, without any pleasure - all the thoughts, how not to tear the glory on the next hill! - Having fucked along a motocross highway for half an hour, Nissan requested a solid coating. If you want to take mud baths on the X-trail, then order an option with a manual box. Only a system of dynamic movement stabilization (ESP), among other things, imitates the functions of blocking differentials, is installed on it. Yes, and look for the tires more likely ... And better, our advice to you, bury the brave off-Router at all. Remember that on the shoulder to Jupiter, patrol, that is, is not allowed by the bullfighting bull.
 
   
With a folded couch, both SUVs prove that their bodies are not without reason called station wagons
      
 
  
The tread still reaches the ground, but in fact the right rear wheel has already been hung. Suspension passages are too small

 
Puring the Pinin wheel in the air is a more difficult task
 
Here I am at home!
But Pinin, leaving the asphalt firmament, as if he had sighed in full chest. Know how to speak Pajerik, he would undoubtedly exclaim with enthusiasm: finally! Here it is - mine! Powerful steel protection under the bottom, well -thought out from the point of view of protection from strikes, the elements of the suspension, transmission and exhaust, finally, short overhangs and large road clearance. Ura-ah, go ahead! And even the 5-door baby who is deprived of all branded lotions of large brothers authoritatively rushes into battle. The suspension moves are not like the sophisticated Nissan - Pinin is not going to raise his paw under each bush. Raises and descents, ditches and a deep track - here all the asphalt and concrete flaws of little Mitsubishi were immediately forgotten here.
However, do not get carried away beyond measure! Geometric traps so beloved by jeepers, Pinina seems to be on the teeth. But to force swamps and sand careers on a parquet Pajero, perhaps, is still not worth it.
Imposed need
The SUV long ago from a simple means of transportation has turned into what marketers call an imposed need. It seems to be the same chewing gum. You can live without it, but it seems to be more fun with her and easier. Here are just the ease of being and self -confidence, which are given by the SUVs to elegant ladies and young people, it stands as not cheap!
And no matter how much your pocket feels better, you can’t run away from the compromise. Those who want his SUV to look like a real professional off-road ruler will love Pinin from the Pajero clan. For a fairly reasonable price, he can be forgiven and a crowded, without excesses, and satisfactory behavior on the asphalt. And do not forget, Pinin is more suitable for all other SUVs for a date with off -road.
Nissan, on the contrary, lights up where Mitsubishi grazes - on hard coating. In addition, the X-trail is a very comfortable, comfortable and beautiful car. But he does not tolerate mud bathtubs to the spirit and costs noticeably more. Does the difference in eight thousand justify itself in this way? This is more complicated than choosing between orbit and dirol!
 
Mitsubishi-Pajero-Pinin
Behind
Attractive appearance,
good inclinations of an all -terrain vehicle,
assembly quality, reasonable price
Vs
Closhered salon,
average behavior
on a hard coating,
noisy engine
 
   
Nisan-X-Trail
Behind
Stylish appearance,
a very spacious salon
with the possibilities of transformation,
build quality,
generous basic equipment,
good handling
on the asphalt
Vs
High price,
very modest
off -road abilities,
tucking the steering wheel
when stopping
 
 
Mikhail Medvedev, photo Maxim Goncharov
 

 
 


 

A source: Magazine "Limousine" [04/02]