Nissan X-Trail test drive since 2007 SUV

Derby on BIS

Perhaps, only among compact SUVs can you meet such unlike each other classmates as these two


Sports principles
The very fashionable word derby today is only associated with races with races. The press taught the fans that this is what the principal matches of irreconcilable rivals are called. Moreover, the battles of the scale of CSKASPAPART or LIVERPULMANCHCHETER United is not uncommon outside the green fields. The car world also has its own El Classic. How not to recall the confrontation of golf and escort, and then his heir to Focus? The epic battle has been going on for three decades! A quarter of a century was measured by another European derby, in which Supermini’s relationship from Renault and Peugeot will not find out in any way. Against such a colorful background, the rivalry of parquet all-terrain vehicles Toyota and Nissan seems to be a local match of the Japanese football j-league. However, the most interesting in the Far Eastern derby is not the status, but the result. If in the matches of Europeans there is always a loser, then the east is a thin thing that once again confirmed the duel of the most powerful versions of RAV4 and the X trail II.
 

Many, however, do not believe that the new Nissan is really new. In an attempt to maintain continuity, Japanese designers really went over the stick. According to dealers, customers simply do not distinguish the second generation of an all -terrain vehicle from the first. Explicit changes actually a little slightly increased headlights, the stubborn racks of the rear lights, which climbed higher fog lights in short, appearance of natural restyling. So next to the RAV4, which, by the way, is a year older and still stands out in the stream with aggressive lines, the II trail II looks a good acquaintance.
 



Work on mistakes
But in the Nissan salon a pleasant surprise awaited me. Ba! The instrument panel returned to its place now it does not rise above the center of the torpedo, but, as it should, is located right behind the steering wheel. Finally! For the sake of such happiness, I am even ready to reconcile with the disappearance of the famous facial deflector, who on the previous X trail supplied air directly to the face of the driver.

 
   
The interior of the X-trail interior, made by modern Nissans, pleases with ergonomicity and hardness of the assembly

Leather seats look good, but they obviously lack tenaches in corners

The cup holders surround the driver from all sides
 
  
The panoramic hatch in the roof looks spectacular. It is a pity only, noticeably limits the height of the cabin. Pay attention to the lack of illumination in the left make -up of the mirror. Like a man!

The glove box of X-trail is one of the most spacious in the classroom

At this place, the first generation of the X-trail showed the instrument panel
 
  
Launch system without a key of the top version of lee
 
Comfortable cup holder in the corner of the front panel and an organizer in the trunk sample of attention to trifles


True, in everything else, Nissan’s salon is still absolutely evolutionary, recognizable. And this is by no means bad. Perhaps someone familiar from other models of the Japanese company buttons and levers already filled up. But here everything is so convenient, soundly and efficient to be capricious? In addition, the creators of the X-trail corrected the small flaws of the last model. If there were no complaints about ergonomics before, then clarity, and most importantly, the equated effort on the climate control and music controls clearly suggests that Nissan engineers constructively perceive criticism. Well done!

 
   
Original design solutions, exemplary decoration quality and verified ergonomics The interior is perfectly made

Toyota’s chair liked a little more first of all due to a more grip of lateral support

RAV4 armrest part -time operates a box for small things
 
  
An extra argument for those who consider the female mandipot mirrors with a backlight in both visors

Toyota's main glove box is smaller than Nissan. But it provides an additional paper compartment

The Russified Board Computer menu is very correct
 
  
The door handle looks very futuristic, but it would be nice to equip the windows buttons with a backlight

Stepmary cululis of the automatic transmission selector guarantee from errors when switching

Near the buttons heating the chairs of the control key on the steep slopes


A year and a half have passed since our first meeting with RAV4, but its salon still conquers design. Architectural masterpiece, otherwise you can’t say. Despite the harsh plastic of the finish and some thoughtful-pile screen of the radio. The nonsense of the but cunning, elegant and truly designer, with a subluxation, decisions here are enough so as not to get bored in traffic jams. All this is not to the detriment of the huttori Hanzo, honed, like a sword of Hattori. And if you also recall the Russified menu of the flight comprehensive compliance, then I want to clap your hands at all: bravo!
 



Focus with disappearance
You can’t say by appearance, but from the driver's place you understand how the X-trail has grown in size. Almost 20 cm in length is not a joke! Handing back, sometimes you think that you control at least the petty. Strange, but such a visual deception and actually deception. Indeed, the length of the length in length almost did not affect the capacity. On the stock in the legs, the X-trail sofa added two! centimeters compared to the predecessor. But on cars equipped with a panoramic hatch in half a wings, a deficiency of space in height is clearly felt. Only 91 cm back for a person with a tall of 1 m 85 cm.


   
 
 
The sofas of both SUVs do not differ in a special expanse
 
   
The backs of sofas can be adjusted along the angle of inclination. In addition, both models have a wide and convenient armrest. But only in Rav4 the rear seats are separately regulated in the longitudinal direction
 


So the II trail II did not manage to get ahead of the spacious salon RAV4. And given that Nissan’s driver's seat was preserved by the amorphous profile of the pillow and so insanity in the corners of the lumbar and lateral stops, we like Toyota a little more. For eighth score.
 

 
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




Champion ambitions
But the trunk of the X-trail, which we had previously considered almost a model, became even better. It is a pity that six or seven you can’t rate it quite deserves. Immediately pays attention to the reduced height of the recognized minus of the predecessor, the Japanese eradicated completely. Opening a huge door, you are amazed at the thoughtfulness and convenience of the luggage compartment. There is a double bottom, hidden drawers, and a plastic coating persistent to scratches, and an almost perfectly correct parallelogram gutter. Here it is happiness for an ever -built summer resident or insatiable shopper, taking hypermarkets with an attack. But the X-trail sofa is also a flush with the floor, and the back of the rear row can be separately adjusted. Truly, the only problem of the owner will be complicated by boxes and a double bottom access to the spare. But it is not only full -size, but also reliably hidden.


  
 
 
   
 
   
In the short trunk of Toyota, a large road suitcase will fit only across. And in the long, spacious hold of Nissan, also a lot of secret places


The fifth wheel of RAV4 is fixed on the door. But from this Toyota trunk does not become more convenient. Rafik, alas, is an outsider in terms of carrying capacity. A very narrow and, in addition, the rolled floor of the trunk causes only a sad smile. And despite the solid declared useful volume, according to the convenience of the gut of Toyota, no better than the trunk of modern supermini. For the SUV, this is just a shame.




The numbers that lie
Over the past year, the only noticeable upgrade RAV4 was the appearance of a 2.4-liter engine under the hood. Very, I must say, a worthy unit. Unlike a 2 liter engine, it gets along well with an automatic box, this is noticeable already at the first touch to the accelerator pedal. From the habit of the zeal of the motor, multiplied by a very hard hydrotransformer, even a little scares so vividly and sharply Toyota reacts to the slightest increase in fuel supply. However, you quickly get used to the good, and very soon the responsive disposition of the Rafi begins to deliver only positive emotions. In the city or on the Toyota highway, I am always ready to accelerate, catch up and overtake. In short, very, very temperamental both in passport data and in the sensations of a SUV.
 

It is the last subjective sensation of dynamics that the new X-trail lacks. And this despite the fact that Nissan’s power unit, whatever one may say, is more refined by a more exquisite modernized 2.5-liter four work paired with a unavailable variator. But despite the confident traction in the entire range of revolutions and a decent power supply, the X-trail does not seem as fast as Toyota. The peculiarity of the Constitution of the variator to constantly keep the motor at optimal revolutions turns the acceleration confident in numbers into a very monotonous procedure. And although Nissan keeps up with Rafik without any problems, it seems subjectively that he is going slower. Paradox
 

But the brakes of both cars are good from any point of view both from objective and subjective.


On a right way
The nature of the controllability of the former X-trail is unlikely, with early rolls and irritating buildup it must be admitted, it was quite suitable for family than a sports essence. But already the first meters behind the wheel of a new model are convinced by the chassis adjusters to work for fame. There was no trace of the former slaughter! Nissan received not only a much more truthful steering wheel, but also a rather energy -intensive suspension. As a result, the rolls became noticeably more modest in corners, and the high -speed straight car completely holds exemplary.
 

 
The advanced RAV4 stabilization system not only slows down wheels during demolition, but sometimes even herself


It is impossible not to note the intelligent all -wheel drive in every sense. Thanks to the instant and preventive connection of the rear axle on the slippery road, the X-trail allows meals. For example, a controlled sliding with all four wheels.
 

That's just it is unlikely that you want to ride like that. Indeed, despite the grown control class, it somehow does not pull to anneal on this huge all-terrain vehicle. The severity of sensations and buzz is still not enough. So, in terms of controllability in the class of compact all-terrain vehicles, RAV4 still remains our favorite. A perfectly configured steering wheel amplifier, ready to storm the steep turns of the chassis and jewelry insurance electronics turn a rafik into a magnificent adrenaline generator. At the wheel of such a car, positively, you will not get bored!
 



Without changes
SUV buyers should not experience illusions about their all -terrain abilities. True, we must recognize these abilities to improve from year to year. X-trail II confirmation of this. Now take a look at Nissan’s muffler in such a way that he can no longer be torn on the first bump. Although the front bumper hangs slightly lower, and most importantly, as before, it is quite easy to hang out to the offensive short -flowing suspension. Nissan achieved a small advantage over Toyotoy thanks to a more sophisticated transmission. After all, the pseudo-arts of inter-axial differentials for the X-trail even work with disconnected ESP. This is not a panacea for diagonal hanging, but an additional chance at least.

 
    
The driver of Nissan can choose the transmission modes: from the front drive wheels to all -wheel drive with lock. In Toyota you can only block the differential
 



Attention to non -priests
I must say that the 2.4-liter Toyota engine not only added in power and understanding with an automaton, it also makes a noticeably less noise than his colleague with a volume of 2 liters. Of course, at times, a metal trill of four cylinders still penetrates the salon, but much less often than before. But the harsh disposition of the RAV4 pendants remained with her literally every bump and crack on the road, the Toyota driver feels his own body. This is not to say that the Rafik is directly unambiguously uncomfortable, no, it is rather painfully sensitive.
 

X-trail against this background is much more advantageous. And his motor seemed a little more quiet possible, somewhat boring thanks to one note taken by the variator, but certainly not annoying. Nissan suspension in comparison with a competitor is completely a model of comfort. Soft and all -spading, it will appeal to the gentlemen. True, someone can be confused by fairly noticeable nods of the body with sharp touch and braking. What to do, the soft suspension must have disadvantages.




An example to all the guys
The X-trail literally the other day passed a series of Euroncap crastes (in the photo above), making four stars as a result. Until an excellent assessment, Nissan was not not possible by the cause of the driver and passenger’s knees traditional for many alternate and other machines with a vertical landing from the hard elements of the front panel.
 

But the X-trail is remarkably good for 4 stars and 43 points in protecting passengers-children. Nobody has received such a high rating in Euroncap. Yes, and Nissan in the highest category is already equipped in the basic version of SE, there are six airbags, active front head restraints, ABS and even a system of dynamic stabilization. Ah fellow! We put four with a fat plus with pleasure.
 

At least RAV4 deserves the same assessment. In the crash tests of the European light of passive security, Toyota earned confident 4 stars. Yes, and the level of equipment is wonderful in the database of seven Air Bags, including a knee pillow, ABS and ESP.
 

Only a year ago, the same set of Rafik was enough for a full -fledged five, but life does not stand still. During this time, two owners of five stars of the new Frilelander and Tiguan appeared in the class of compact SUVs, which means that the bar of the requirements increased accordingly.




But Bax did not know and fell
Thanks to the same Freilender, Toyota lost a very inconsistent title of the most expensive in the classroom. However, 901 thousand rubles ($ 36,775) for basic performance with a 2-liter engine and manual transmission are also not sour. The only consolation is the fact that the set of the moon is exhaustive. All the benefits of civilization are present here, with the exception of metallic (10,500 rubles), a leather salon and a hatch in the roof. RAV4 C automatic transmission is more than $ 1,500 more expensive. The most annoying thing is that the version with such a suitable machine gun of 2.4 liters implies the top execution of salt. In the load, you will get dubious value of the skin, hatch in the roof and the engine starting system without the key. It turns out 1,113,000 rubles or $ 45,428. For this money, by the way, you can already look after the prestigious frelender.

The new generation X-trail as a whole also went up in price in this, not so much dealers or an importer as a falling dollar, but in any case, Toyota remained more accessible. 2-liter Nissan starts with 872 984 rubles. ($ 35 632), the variator adds about $ 1700. The main thing is that the X-trail does not tie the most powerful engine to a certain configuration. A 2.5-liter car with a variator can be bought without skin (988,264 rubles or $ 40,337), but even in the top filing of LE Nissan is almost two thousand cheaper.
    
We decided:

An amazing thing, judging by points, then the X-trail (, the average rating of 4.3) noticeably ahead of the RAV4 (, average rating 4.0). However, in fact, there are no losers in our derby. It was painfully that they turned out to be different. If there is almost a sports car among compact SUVs, then this is certainly RAV4. Toyota literally shows selfishness in everything. Exclusively in a good way. A bright design is a bait, and almost cosmic beauty salon hook. And you will joyfully peck, at least once driving on this car. The excellent dynamics and controllability of the Rafik people who know a lot about gambling cannot but appreciate. Hard suspension? No trigger? High price? Sorry, do you really want practicality from the compartment, even if this is a compartment and looks like an all -around?
 

X-trail from a completely different test, it is family to the brain of bones. A solid outwardly, comfortable on the go and incredibly convenient in operation, like a master of all hands. And the fact that a quick ride on it does not bring joy so what can there be bribes from the champion-twin? But this is curious. Compared to the predecessor, the X-trail pulled the weakest disciplines in particular controllability. I wonder if we will ever see RAV4 with a comfortable trunk and a soft suspension?
 
Mikhail Medvedev, photo of Maxim Goncharov
 
 

A source: Magazine buy a car [24/2007]