Nissan Xtrail, is it any good?

[Mark_374372334]

Hi there,

Just wondered if anyone has an xtrail, what is it like for towing and will it be subjected to the higher tax next year?

Cheers

Mark

 

[busman1]

Mark,

I changed from a a Mondeo tdci 130 to an XT. in June of this year and although I feel that the Ford had the edge in pulling power the XT. is definately more stable and does pull well when I hitch up the back of the XT. hardly drops but I am a bit dissapointed with the fuel consumption (around 24 mpg when towing) and there seems to be less pitching when trvelling over rough ground. As for the road tax, I'm sorry but I don't know and don't care cause I love the car and so does SWMBO.

Will

 

[fred_374312861]

Hi Mark,

I have had a xt for the past 18 months 2.2dci. This is an excellent tow car. Very stable and plenty of power. I tow an avondale rialto 550-4, I have never had a stabaliser fitted,because the unit feels very secure on the road.

fuel consumption is excellent, 42mpg solo-30 towing.

Like many other diesels they can be a bit noisy when cold, but other than that an great caravanner,s car

Fred

 

[Bryan_374360331]

I've been driving one of the new 170bhp diesels for the last year.

Very comfortable and relaxing to drive, stacks of space inside and a big sunshine roof.

Towing an 1100kg MTPMZZZ Bailey isn't much of a test but with an approx 75kg nose weight there's very little suspension drop and pitching. No swaying even amongst lorries on motorways with a cross-wind and without a stabiliser - but it is a small caravan by today's standards. Feels very planted. And the cruise control makes it seem effortless.

Does 43mpg solo and 30 towing.

Tax -

 

[Robert_374373903]

Had 2.5 auto petrol ,lovely car in most aspects . 18/20 mpg towing 1350 klg , got rid of it.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I have had 3 XTs 2.2 diesel and now have the new shape 2.0

I found unlike earlier posters that the rear suspension needed some asistance in the form of variable rate springs on the Columbia and spring assisters on the latest

I do have to carry my wife's invalid buggy so that could acount for something

I am not disputing what has been said as to the above outfits --the proof of the pudding is in the eating---but I have seen lots of X Trails on the motorway with a marked tail sown attitude

But having said that they do tow very well and are roomy

 

[John_374353318]

Reference Road Tax.

This depends on what year your XT was regestered as our money grabbing government changed the rules in March 2006. Previous to 23rd March 06 the engines were tested from a warm condition, after that they were tested from a cold condition. Thus, emissions are higher because the engine is being overfuelled to aid cold starting. [using past terms 'The engine is on choke']

Now the sting.

Data for the 2.2 Diesel manual 6 speed.

Pre 23rd March 06 the CO2/km is 190, after this 201.

Both are currently in old band F at

 

[jacky3]

Reference Road Tax.

This depends on what year your XT was regestered as our money grabbing government changed the rules in March 2006. Previous to 23rd March 06 the engines were tested from a warm condition, after that they were tested from a cold condition. Thus, emissions are higher because the engine is being overfuelled to aid cold starting. [using past terms 'The engine is on choke']

Now the sting.

Data for the 2.2 Diesel manual 6 speed.

Pre 23rd March 06 the CO2/km is 190, after this 201.

Both are currently in old band F at

 

[jacky3]

hi

i previously had a nissan terrano 3.0 sve 53 plate which towed my osprey(1450kgs) well,and was solid on the road with no wavering from passing traffic.fuel consumption was av 23 mpg when towing.i have recently bought a new xtrail 2.0 ltr 173 bhp and this car is absolutely brilliant.fuel consumption av 27-28 mpg towing,and really does tow my van better and easier than the terrano.only downside,which isn,t that bad really is that it does tend to waver a little on passing traffic.all round its a really lovely car and would definately recommend it

 

[Mark_374372334]

Thanks for the info guys.

Now i need to know whether it will tow the van safely.

We have an abbey impression with a MTPLM of 1533kg. Not sure of the weights of the Xtrail, but the maximum weight its allowed to tow is 2000kg according to practical caravan. Would it be safe to tow our van with an xtrail? All these weights and stuff can get very confusing.

Cheers

Mark

 

[Mark_374372334]

Thanks for the info guys.

Now i need to know whether it will tow the van safely.

We have an abbey impression with a MTPLM of 1533kg. Not sure of the weights of the Xtrail, but the maximum weight its allowed to tow is 2000kg according to practical caravan. Would it be safe to tow our van with an xtrail? All these weights and stuff can get very confusing.

Cheers

Mark

Info upate.

The caravans MIRO is 1278kg

cheers

Mark

 

[MikeyW]

Hi Mark

I've got a 2005 2.2DCi XT and my vans MTPLM is 1500kg, which is loaded to pretty much that. The XT pulls it along very nicely although mostly in 5th gear on motorways.

As for the weights, the published kerbweight is about 1520kgs but I took mine to a weighbridge and it was 1720kgs, that was with me sat in it with 3/4 tank of fuel and no luggage, approximately 88% match.

Hope this helps

Mike

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Nissan didn't/wouldn't do themselves any favours on kerbweight and issued a range of kerweights for the XT diesel from 1525Kg to 1650 with no model specified

I contacted them and got the same information

It has been said that cars can vary but most people on this forum amd others who have weighbridged the sport have come up with 1650kg +

The article in last months mag got figures of 1425 kg from memory

Its surprising to me that there isn't a national source of kerbweights and it would be most interesting if towcar of the year/reviews etc gave weighbridge figures for the models on test

That would involve having the vehicle rather than writing from dat obtained

 

[trevor123]

We love our x- trail, for a while we been having problem while towing, car, fine while solo, but when towing I get a bit of smoke, been down to the garage trying to sort it out, no luck, in the end I went to a nissan dealer told them what happen, witin half hour, problem over, it was the garage that service my x-train have been putting in too much oil, causeing it to smoke while towing, been away for the half term and found the problem gone, so you lot with x-trail make sure your oil is not over the dip stick mark, now mine it under it as I keep a eye on it and it don't burn oil, other than that it a lovely motor

 

[WiltshirePete]

I agree with Watson about kerb weights, I bought an 05 Xtrail SVE 2.2dci and weighed it on 2 different weighbridges, both came out at 1670kg for the car with full fuel tank, but no driver. It does have side steps though.

I pull a Hymer with a MTPLM of 1600Kg, but with everything we want on board this weighs 1550Kg, so with 2 people in the car (140kg) we are at about 85% of the real life car weight (less if the car is full of beer on the way home!).

I keep nose weight at about 80kg and this is rock solid at speeds up to 65mph which is fast as I want to go. The Xtrail sits perfectly level and pulls like a train from 2200 up. In fact I could do with a sticker on the back which says "The holdup is not me!"

I have just finished a trip of 2800 miles of which about 2/3 was towing including some Alpine passes and the overall fuel consumption was 29.5 mpg - not bad I feel.

Very pleased with the car.

Pete