Test drive Nissan X-Trail 2003-2007 SUV

Fashion victims

Two favorites of the parking sedencies are clarified by the relationship. What are the trump cards in a duel with a young handsome man at a recent favorite?
 
The last squeak
The appearance of a new generation of RAV4 on the market was marked by simply a frantic success among customers. Rafiki flashed on metropolitan streets before the start of official sales, and now customers take over 1000 cars a month. Do not go to the fortuneteller - it is this Toyota who should become a leader at the end of the year. And you know what is curious? Almost the same picture was observed five years ago-then, barely having time to appear on the market, the Nissan-X-trail immediately escaped into the sales leaders.
 
The success of this SUV was long -playing. After all, even according to the results of the first half of 2006, he closes the three leaders of sales of all-terrain vehicles. What is it, nostalgia for the old-house or X-trail is still so good as to resist the supernova Toyota? This is what we wanted to find out by putting two cars from the barrier. In addition, we admit, I was eager to find out whether a new Rafik as his reputation is so good.

 
By the way, outwardly, Nissan is not inferior to Toyota anyway. Its appearance is definitely more courageous, and if somewhere a look and stumbles on the far-fetched corners, then this is even good. Five years ago, X-trail looked like a notebook, and today he just remains a fashionable guy. This is not a collection from Armani, which has lost its relevance in six months.

 
But Rav4, to our taste, looks somewhat caramel. Moreover, if in the pictures of Toyota is perceived quite compact, then in life it is much more massive than you expect. It turned out a kind of large and slightly sugary Tula gingerbread.
 
A masterpiece of contemporary art
But there can be no two opinions about the interior of the new Rafy - this is a masterpiece. Even an elegant influx in the central part of the torpedo is a stylish designer element in itself - and it is very functional. After all, it shakes the climate control screen, which means that the testimony of the latter is always well read. Do you think just a coincidence? May be. But if the specialists of Toyota are accidentally born to mini -walks, then - hats, down, gentlemen, before us a genius!

In life, the Rafik salon looks even better than in the picture. Pay attention to the influx in the central part, successfully shadeing the climate control display
 
At first glance, it seems that the Rafik chair is as shapeless as that of Nissan. In fact, it holds much more confident and more reliable


In addition to a very spacious glove box, Toyota has a sort of mailbox for documents
 

The central armrest is located too low, but in its bowels another very capacious box for all sorts of things
 

UNDERSTANDING CRARISE-CONTROLL is included in the equipment of the most expensive version of RAV4 Salt

 
And how many more different goodies are there! Gorgeous in all respects - both beautiful and easily readable - the instrument panel, and a delicious steering wheel adjusted in two directions, and a magnificent driver's chair with pleasantly bold lateral support, and huge rear -view mirrors, pretty, loud, and most importantly, omnivorous - What do you deign: CD-Audio, MP3, WMA? - radio ...
 
 
The interior of the X trail looks rather outlandish than really stylish. On the other hand, there are no serious complaints about convenience
 

The skin looks elegant, but the chair itself is too spineless lateral support here is perhaps nominal
 
  
The central hole of a multi-tiered glove box is perfect for installing a CD changer
 

Another drawer of Nissan is provided in the very place where most of the cars have a panel
 

Luke in half the area of \u200b\u200bthe roof adds X-trail a well-known fraction of glamor
 
The age of the X-trail is felt in the cabin concentrated brightly. The point is not so much in the central tidy. Although in it too. After all, there are no people who buy a car due to a speedometer located in the center, but those who refuse to purchase for the same reason are found. It is more important that the interior does not produce an integral appearance - finishing materials seemed to be selected for two different cars, leaves much to be desired and clarity of the work of many switches and buttons. This is not the fault of the X-trail. Just Rafik raised the bar in the interior design to a new level.

 
It will be small ...
If you have been traveling to the previous generation RAV4, then you could not help but notice a modest sofa. Compared to the predecessor, the new Rafik grew in length as much by 25 cm, but, oddly enough, in the rear living space this was reflected minimally. That is, it seemed as if there were more places, but so, for a little - and this despite the longitudinal adjustment. At a time when competitors offer customers 7 -seater SUVs, the rear row of Toyota is by and large for only two - there is no central tunnel, but the width of the sofa leaves much to be desired, or rather, more. So the rear row of the X-trail I liked no less. And this despite the five -year age difference!
 
   
 
 
 
 
Both Toyota and Nissan’s backs of seats of both rows are adjusted along the angle of inclination (photo on the left). And in the passenger chair the X-trail sector provides for as many as three pockets
 

The folding armrest not only allows you to transport long -meters in the RAV4 cabin, but also works in a bar
 
But in the fight of the front seats, our sympathies, on the contrary, are on the side of Toyota. A beautiful relief of the chair with a slightly intrusive, but caring side support emphasizes the sports aroma.
 
 
The dimensions are given in centimeters. * The distance from the seat pillow to the ceiling.
The space for the legs of the seated rear is indicated provided that the driver’s growth is 185 cm

 
Quite uncomfortable
But if, in terms of passenger talents, Nissan just does not lose to Toyota, then the carrying capacity is definitely better. This is not even discussed. The minimum length of the luggage compartment RAV4 is so small that it does not allow you to put a longitudinally large road suitcase. Only transversely - and in this form, the efficiency of the trunk is no different from the supermini. Of course, the sofa can be moved forward, but in this case we call into question the comfort of the rear passengers. And here is another unpleasant moment: even having folded the rear seats, we get a cargo site uneven - with an obvious slope. A trifle, but unpleasant.
 
   
 

 
 
Despite the advantage in liters, the RAV4 trigger in real convenience is unambiguously inferior to the X-trail.

 
In a word, the X-trail from its rectangular shape is much more practical. Firstly, two large road suitcases come here without problems. Again, in the unfolded form, we get a much longer, and most importantly, absolutely flat cargo platform. Finally, the fifth door of the X trail opens vertically, and the RAV4 from the side of the roadway. The only thing Nissan is inferior to the opponent is in loading height. In our opinion, 71 cm is a bit too much.
 
Restraint of the machine
Toyota is supplied to Russia with a single 4-cylinder gasoline engine with a capacity of 152 liters. With. And most buyers prefer it in tandem with a gun. Alas, the most popular couple was not too sweet. A 4-speed automatic transmission clearly limits the agility. This drawback is especially felt on the highway. You will definitely feel how the car, having reached a certain speed, hangs, as if resting against an invisible wall, and only a sharp, almost to the floor, pressing the gas pedal makes it start. With a jerk, the KIK-Dawn mode is activated, the machine jumps two steps down, and the car rushes forward. In the city, finding a common language with automatic transmission is easier, but in any case, with mechanics, the 152 -horsepower Toyota engine is much preferable - both in dynamics, and in fuel consumption, and comfort.

 
A 4-speed assault rifle on the X-trail, similar in design, I liked more. However, the matter, apparently, is in the additional 15 horsepower, and most importantly, Newtonometers of a 2.5-liter motor. Therefore, during overtaking, Nissan inspires more confidence and does not strain with frequent freezes.

 
And both of them left the brakes only positive impressions. And the work of ABS, and the convenience of deceleration control, and the heat resistance of the disks.
 
Antonyms
Especially about the drowsy-unusual nature of the RAV4 machine, you regret in corners. After all, the chassis of this Toyota is simply perfect. The very case when a long -standing journalistic stamp about the hands of a driver, turning into steering rods, is fully justified. The responsiveness of the Rafik simply conquers. At the first acquaintance, I did not like the too low central armrest. But soon it turned out that it was necessary - after all, this bagel should be held with two hands. No, the car does not shy from side to side - but rather, to feel the buzz from every moment of driving. After all, how obedient and with what hunting Rav4 dies in turns! How magnificently behaves on a high -speed straight line. The absence of a body is even on the road far from ideal is something mystical: it seems that the car is pressing the invisible hand of a caring giant to the canvas.
 
At some point, the early squeak of Shin in the turn was even surprised. However, no, it is not early - just the minimum rolls and the magnificent steering wheel allow you to lick the turns much faster than it is accepted on an all -terrain vehicle. And even if you frankly overdo it at speed, Toyota remains calm, leaving outside with all four wheels - the gas discharge carefully and accurately returns the car to the trajectory. With such a remarkable neutral nature of controllability, you begin to doubt the need for an abstruse system of active security, which includes not only ESP and an anti -book, but also a new -fangled ectiva drive of systems, if that, even ready to twist the steering wheel for you!
 
Alas and ah - X -trail, the nature of which sellers without hesitation call sports and gambling, unable to please the like. And if you like to enjoy driving, then after 30 seconds of trip to Nissan the soul will be requested back - Toyota. The steering of X-trail is smeared and fuzzy, without proper feedback. The suspension is too crude and some kind of uninhabited - the slightest bumps of the road at speeds over 80 km/h immediately turn into an unpleasant buildup, as if the car was not driving along the asphalt, but floats along the waves. Notable and not exciting rolls in corners complement the portrait of Nissan’s handling - fresh and ordinary.

 
The illusion of abilities
Parners are actually all -terrain vehicles are very opera. And all -wheel drive here is provided only for additional confidence on a slippery road. So, moving off the asphalt, pay attention to how the muffler is low, and consider the short suspension strokes.
 
   
In addition to blocking the inter -long differential, Toyota has a DAC system that helps with a cool hill
 

The flywheel of switching regimes of all-wheel drive transmission gives the X-trail external resemblance to this all-terrain vehicle

 
The pluses include the fact that both the X-trail and the RAV4 of the Intersose differential can be blocked. But what's the point, if the lowering gear is still not provided ... However, in extreme cases, inter -long pseudo -approval will come to the rescue - their role is played by ESP, selectively brakes of the wheels. But here the X-trail has a small advantage. The fact is that the function of pseudo -artistic differential differentials on Nissan, unlike Toyota, works even with the ESP disconnected. This is especially useful in winter - the chances of getting out of the snowdrift will be noticeably more. For this, the X-trail is an additional half a bell.
 
In any case: hope for electronics, but think where you are going.

 
Again a mess
But if we have long been accustomed to the most powerful off -road talents of the SUVs, then the noisy motor is surprising on an expensive Japanese car. And this is a stone, first of all, in the garden of Toyota. Moreover, the talkative character of the engine becomes especially obvious in pairs with a thoughtful automatic machine. Remember how often the automatic transmission with the reason and without it turned on the reduced gear? So, engine speed increased sharply, and the salon was immediately filled with a metal rumble. That's another pleasure. By the way, Toyota’s frankly strict suspension will almost certainly make a pampered fairy, accustomed to total comfort, painfully grimacing. But what can you do, here it is, reckoning for excellent controllability.

 
Nissan is softer and quieter. Although, I remember, when compared with other classmates, the 2.5-liter four Nissan did not at all impress Tikhoni.

 
Everyone would like that
Toyota’s attitude towards safety deserves only respect. Even in the basic performance, the RAV4 is packed in full: seven airbags, including the knee, of course, ABS and even ESP with the mentioned system Ektiv Drive Control. True, on the crash tests of the Euroncap Toyota unexpectedly earned only four stars - everyone expected an excellent assessment from the Rafik. Well, we will still put Toyota perfectly. For the base rich in terms of security and ... the desire for excellence - after all, its assessment is in any case higher than that of competitors.
 
 
Despite the presence of a RAV4 knee pillow, during a crash test, the mannequin's legs still touched with tough elements of the torpedo

 
The X-trail has developed for four. He received so much on the tests of Euroncap. It is only a pity that the starting equipment involves only two frontal Air Bag.
 
All bases - base!
The minimum price of RAV4 after a recent rise in price is $ 33,500. There is simply no more expensive SUV in our market. But no, probably, is just as well equipped. In addition to the above means of security, the simplest seemingly Toyota in the configuration pleases the moon climate control with separate controls for the driver and passenger, heating front seats, light alloy disks, fog-tunnel, full electric packet, mp3 magnet with six speakers and built-in speakers and built-in In a torpedo CD-changer, a central lock with a remote control. What can be added to this? Unless the automatic transmission for $ 1400. If you desperately need a leather salon, you will have to pay $ 38,400 for the top version of salt. This included quite optional toys like a cruise control, an engine starting system without a key, as well as rain and light sensors.
 
We do not argue, almost forty thousand for a 2-liter SUV, even if the trendy, is a lot. But do you think the X-trail that has been going on for the sixth year is cheaper? Nothing like this. Nissan with a 2.5 -liter motor, automatic transmission, performed by premium PAK (leather and all that), will pull as much as $ 39 630. Columbia PAK is all the same, but without leather - $ 38,670. However ... However ... However, ...

 
Another thing is that the basic price of X-trail is very interesting-only $ 29,990 for the collection of collapse with a 2-liter engine and mechanics. And if you come to terms with the absent lateral eire-begs and the need to independently switch the programs, an interesting offer is obtained. It is only a pity that an automatic machine with a 140 -horsepower engine is a couple frankly weak. But in favor of Nissan says that the X-trail, unlike the same Rafik, the line for which stretched for several months, can be bought even on the day of circulation. Some versions are anyway.

 
We decided:
Toyota engineers can be congratulated - the new generation of the Rafik turned out to be worthy of its predecessors. And in this, oddly enough, not only pride, but also the trouble of the car. Initially, after all, the RAV4 was created as an egoist car, as a machine to get pleasure. No wonder in some markets it was sold under the name Fan cruiser.
 
So the new model literally captivates with a magnificent manage of manageability by the standards of all -terrain vehicles, and for a long time we will not get tired of calling a work of art for a long time. The result is a bright and really fashionable SUV for a driver, not burdened with a family and unnecessary worries. But from the point of view of practicality and convenience, the debutant is inferior to more age -related competitors. Only a 5-seater (and in truth, even a 4-seater) salon and an uncomfortable trunk do not paint a modern machine. Add to this a harsh suspension and by no means an ideal duo engine/machine, and you will understand that RAV4 (average rating 4.0) owes many of the popularity of its popularity. After all, there are not so many connoisseurs of controllability and design as such.
 
If the RAV4 is created for the driver, then the X-trail (, the average rating is 3.9), rather, for the whole family. A large, easily transformed trunk will help out when transporting furniture and will have to be by the way during a trip to the country. A more comfortable suspension will appeal to passengers of the sofa, who do not care about the boring manage of Nissan. And the X-trail looks still young and stylish. So, despite the age respectable for the car, the X-trail remains interesting, although by no means a cheap acquisition.
 
Mikhail Medvedev, photo of Maxim Goncharov
 
 

Source: Magazine buy a car [16/2006]