Nissan took a measured pause as its compatriots Suzuki and Toyota ventured forth with the Grand Vitara and the RAV4, respectively. The pair tested the market’s appetite for a compact sport utility vehicle, giving Nissan all the time to refine its own offerings.

With everything in place, it offered the Nissan X-Trail. This small SUV was a combination of excellent off-road ability and a comfortable bound-surface experience.

Nissan 

X-Trail

($79/mo)

Browse Used X-Trail Listings

Avg. Used Price:

$900 to $9,800

It also doesn’t hurt that Nissan put a reasonable price tag on this car, even with the comfort and safety it offers. Let’s take a look at what makes the X-Trail the ideal car to traverse the African continent.

Interior and Comfort

The cabin of this compact SUV is surprisingly spacious. There’s every indication that a lot of thought was put into the design of the layout within.

The instruments – buttons and knobs – are arranged in a way that they are within easy reach of the driver. Nothing is cluttered in front of the person in the driver’s seat; many of the electronics are accessed via the central console.

This central console has a silver sheen to it, accentuating the chic aesthetic of the interior.

Front Seating Area

Facing this symmetrically laid out dashboard is a plus in and of itself. There is plenty of leg space to ensure that you can complete a long journey in the utmost comfort.

This comfort is further heightened by the heated cloth seats. The driver’s seat goes the extra mile with 6 way manual lumbar adjustment and support.

Back Seating Area

The rear seating is not left out of this comfort party. Nissan makes it so that the three passengers at the back have no qualms about their experience during the journey.

The rear row of seats fences off a compartment taking up to 29.2 cubic feet of space for storage of luggage. However, these seats can be folded along a 60:40 ratio to further amp up this space. The storage space then grows to 72.8 cubic feet.

Nissan X-Trail Features and Drivability

To edge out its competition in the compact SUV class, the Nissan X-Trail brings together a host of features that seem genius but actually make plain sense. This practicality, coupled with the driveability, make this car an excellent choice for the African road.

Nissan offers three kinds of engines for the X-Trail, each attached to a different variant of the model. For the petrolheads, you can opt for a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine or a higher displacement 2.5 liter alternative.

In Africa, where diesel is cheaper than petrol, you can opt for a 2.2 liter engine that has a turbocharger which coaxes out more power from the unit.

Practicality

As we have already mentioned, placing the buttons in symmetrical way on the central console makes it easy for the driver to reach.

Also, the fact that the rear row of seats folds easily in a 60/40 split makes it easy to increase the load of stuff to carry. This alone makes the X-Trail a suitable car if you are planning to surprise your relatives in their country homes off the beaten path.

Compared to other SUVs, the Nissan X-Trail rides quite low. Not only does this make it easier to access the cabin, but it also gives the boxy SUV plenty of stability when hurtling along on the highway.

How Well Does the Nissan X-Trail Drive?

The X-Trail handles very well when it drives over the tarmac of the more developed areas. Better yet, it manages to hold its own and deliver an impressive performance when you swerve onto the loose surface.

On the gritty and murram surface, the X-Trail’s ‘Smart Drive’ advanced all-wheel drive system comes into its own. Whereas others in this class employ a system that slides first and grips later, the X-Trail anticipates these slips and offers all round grip.

This ensures that your journey upcountry is devoid of any heart-in-mouth moments when you encounter uneven terrain. Add to this the well balanced suspension and front and back anti-roll bars and you have a compact SUV doing big boy SUV stuff.

Nissan X-Trail Safety and Pricing

The Nissan X-Trail is a bastion of safety in the compact SUV category. It offers a number of vital features that ensure your safety when driving.

Nissan X-Trail Safety Features

The driver and passenger have airbags that can cushion their impact during a head-on collision.

The Japanese car maker ensured that the car has active anti-lock braking system (ABS). This means that when you are braking and a wheel tries to lock up, sensors detect this and ease up on the braking force being applied to that wheel.

Not only that, the X-Trail has electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), further aiding the car’s ability to safely come to a stop.

In the earlier X-Trails, Nissan only offered lap seat belts. When the company upgraded the compact SUV in 2003, it decided it was a wise move to offer three point lap sash seat belts just like at the front.

This kind of seat belt at the back also enables you to attach a baby car seat and be sure that your young one will be safe.

Used Nissan X-Trail Pricing

If you are looking for great deals on used Nissan X-Trail model years 2000-2008 in Africa, you can find great prices from Japanese car exporter BE FORWARD, ranging from $900-$9,800.

Browse Used X-Trail Listings   

Overall Opinion

The Nissan X-Trail is an excellent example of good things coming in small packages. The compactness of this SUV belies the amount of space within the cabin.

This space ensures that you are not cramped while the seats offer comfort. The instruments panel is well designed and intuitive giving the driver no hassle when driving.

The driving experience itself is enjoyable. Nissan offers a range of power units that are up to scratch, providing the necessary power to navigate the varying terrain of the African cities and countryside.

In the plus column, you can also add the all-wheel drive system as well as the safety features that ensure that you get your destination safely.