85: Nissan X-Trail – likeable car that’s easy to live with

The X-Trail these days fills the spot in the Nissan range vacated by the old Qashqai+2 - it's for those who require something with a bigger boot and occasional rear seats for trips to hurling training.

Prices start from a very reasonable €29,995 but it’s worth pointing out that that’s for a five-seat only version, which does rather take away from the X-Trail’s USP. If you want a seven-seater, you’re going to have to upgrade to a (still reasonable) €33,250 model.

Inside, the cabin is a touch plain, but very well built and easy to use, and comfort was clearly high on Nissan’s agenda as the seats are excellent. The driving experience is, oddly, very different to that of the Qashqai, as Nissan seems to have built in a sensation of it being a little more rugged, and a little less slick. Which, to be honest, we rather like.

The X-Trail faces stiff competition now from the Peugeot 5008 and Skoda Kodiaq, but it’s a very likeable car, and easy to live with.