Used Nissan X-Trail

The Nissan X-Trail is one of the original founding members of the SUV craze, and continues to be a great choice thanks to a stylish appearance and practical design.

There's no denying the fact that mid-sized SUVs are well-catered for on the used car market. After all, Nissan make two of the best sellers in the form of the Qashqai and Juke. It should come as no surprise to learn that the X-Trail is an equally desirable option, and is even available with 7-seats.

Here's why you should look at an X-Trail:

• Efficient engine choices
• Sharp appearance
• Spacious interior
• Available with 7-seats
• Good for towing

A mature driving experience is what you'll find with the X-Trail, which has been geared towards comfort and refinement. The soft suspension does result in a bit of body-roll in corners, but it does a very good job of ironing out bumpy roads. Despite the size, there's plenty of grip and the visibility makes it easier to park.

Earlier models came with a 1.6-litre diesel that produced 130bhp and could return up to 57.6mpg. Later on, a slightly bigger 1.7-litre was introduced and got a power hike up to 150bhp. On paper it uses more fuel by averaging 43.5mpg, but this was under the new WLTP regulations, and not the old ones.

A 1.3-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engine are available, and produce 158bhp and 163bhp respectively. The smaller engine is the newest option and can return close to 40mpg without too much issue. However, the larger unit can return fuel economy in the mid 40s (according to the old regulations).

A CVT automatic is available on later X-Trail models. Meanwhile, four-wheel drive is an option that could be worth seeking out if you frequently encounter poor weather conditions and rough roads.

Regardless of the model you go for, it's unlikely you'll feel short changed by the amount of equipment on offer. Even entry-level models get air-conditioning, DAB radio and cruise control as standard. The 5-inch colour touchscreen that occupies the dashboard may not be the biggest, but it does feel responsive; plus it grows to a 7-inch screen on Acenta Premium models.

Mid-range Acenta models offer good bang-for-buck, with tinted rear windows, automatic lights and wipers, panoramic sunroof, and dual-zone climate control included. If you're feeling plush, then the N-Connecta adds 18-inch alloy wheels, a power-operated tailgate and keyless entry.

Tekna models come with heated seats (front and back), an innovative self-parking feature, full LED adaptive headlights and a crisp Bose audio system. The X-Trail is well-equipped with desirable safety features, with the following available:

• Chassis control
• Active ride control (helps on bumpy roads)
• Active trace control (helps to steer the car safely)
• Autonomous emergency braking
• ProPilot semi-autonomous driving technology (option on Tekna models)