Nissan X-Trail (2001 – 2007) Review

2024 Nissan X-Trail 1.5 E-Power E-4orce 213 Tekna 5dr [7 Seat] Auto

Nissan X-Trail
1.5 E-Power E-4orce 213 Tekna 5dr [7 Seat] Auto
£41,990

View Nissan X-Trail cars for sale

Nissan X-Trail (2001 – 2007) At A Glance

Excellent, honest vehicle, decent to drive on road and best in class off road. Better than original Freelander.

Marred by diesel engine failures, especially turbo failures on 136.

On average it achieves 95% of the official MPG figure

Now and again a car surprises me. I should have had an inkling from the delivery driver who said he'd really enjoyed his job that morning. All I'd been anticipating up until then was a biggish mid-size SUV with a smallish 2.2-litre diesel engine, so I wasn't expecting it to set my pants on fire.

But the X-Trail is one of those vehicles that impresses with its basic honesty and grows on you.

For a start, it doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't. Big plastic lights. Bluff front. Rubber mats. Plastic wings. Chunky 215/65 x 16 tyres. It's a solid, sensible, practical vehicle, not an in-your-face status symbol.

Nissan X-Trail 2.2DI 115PS 2002 Road Test

Nissan X-Trail 2.2 dCi 136PS 2004 Road Test

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Nissan X-Trail (2001 – 2007) handling and engines

Engines range from 2.0 16V 2WD to 2.5 16V
Readers report Real MPG to be between 20–45 mpg

Start the engine and a bloke under the bonnet gets going with his pneumatic drill, so you're under no illusions about what sort of fuel it uses. But snick it into gear and the pleasure starts. The six-speed box feels both beefy and precise, a bit like an older Ferrari, and the ratios are exactly right to make the most of 112bhp and 199lb ft torque pulling a fairly hefty 1,541 kg vehicle.

It never feels sluggish and, though the speedo was probably a tad optimistic, it shifts a bit too. 3,000 rpm corresponds to 85 on the speedo, with another 20mph where that came from. Biggest surprise of all: it handles well. Far better than a Freelander. Heavier than a CRV, but none the worse for it. It takes fast corners flat and doesn't turn into a barge if you fling it round the tighter ones. And, unlike the Sport-spec BMW X5, those fat 215/65 tyres absorb potholes rather than crash through them.

Okay, you have to get used to the turbo coming in, and to judging the width at the nearside. Remember, though, this is a big, chunky 4x4, not a sportscar, not even a family hatchback.

For £18,995, the Sport diesel spec comes with six-speed gearbox, push-button four-wheel drive. Push-button lockable centre clutch, aircon, huge electric sunroof, reclining rear seats, five three-point belts, a combined CD and cassette player and radio, two drinks coolers, alloy wheels and 215/65 x 16 tyres. There's bags of space for five people to cover continents in comfort, and enough room in the back for their luggage, even with the rear seats reclined. Another big advantage is a totally flat floor with the rear seats folded, ideal for dogs or for carrying cargo or tools.

The diesel isn't available with Nissan's unusual torque converter CVT automatic transmission. The petrol model doesn't get the diesel's excellent six-speed box. So it really boils down to whether you spend an extra £1,000 on the diesel or the petrol automatic. Since I got at least 35 mpg over a week's varied use of the diesel, it would have to be that one. I'd go for the better-value Sport spec rather than the S or the SE. And I actually preferred it to the all-singing, all-dancing BMW X5 Sport diesel, which costs more than twice as much.

Engine	MPG	0-62	CO₂
2.0 16V 2WD	31 mpg	11.0 s	217 g/km
2.2 dCi	37 mpg	11.5 s	203 g/km
2.2 dCi 2WD	38 mpg	11.2 s	201 g/km
2.5 16V	30 mpg	9.9 s	226 g/km

Real MPG average for the Nissan X-Trail (2001 – 2007)

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

95%

Real MPG

20–45 mpg

MPGs submitted

251

Nissan X-Trail (2001 – 2007) interior

Boot space is 350–1841 litres

Dimensions
Length	4455 mm
Width	1765 mm
Height	1675–1750 mm
Wheelbase	2625 mm
Full specifications

Climb aboard and you immediately appreciate the large, comfortable, height-adjustable seats with their practical-looking dimpled nylon trim. The steering wheel is adjustable, too, and all the main controls are chunky, logical and easy to use. Putting the dials in the middle leaves space for a handy cubby in front of the driver. The front cup-holders open out over phone-size hollows in the dash.

The electric sunroof is gigantic, giving the back seat passengers a tan as well as those in the front. There are even can-cooling compartments either side of the radio. The only fly in the ointment is the radio itself: a gaudy Clarion affair that combines radio, cassette player and single CD player and looks like something off a market stall. Thankfully, this has now been replaced by a single DIN stereo radio cassette and a 6-disc CD autochanger.

Nissan X-Trail (2001 – 2007) models and specs

Dimensions
Length	4455 mm
Width	1765 mm
Height	1675–1750 mm
Wheelbase	2625 mm

Miscellaneous
Kerb Weight	1455–1650 kg
Boot Space	350–1841 L
Warranty	3 years / 60000 miles
Servicing	9000–12500 miles

Costs
List Price	£16,995–£23,395
Insurance Groups	-
Road Tax Bands	K–L
Official MPG	30.1–37.7 mpg

Euro NCAP Safety Ratings
Adult	4
Child	-
Pedestrian	2
Overall	-

4 X 4
Version	List Price	MPG	0-62
2.0 16v SE (4x2) 5dr	£16,995	31.0 mpg	11.0 s
2.2 dCi Aventura 5dr	£23,395	37.2 mpg	11.5 s
2.2 dCi Columbia	£21,395	37.2 mpg	11.5 s
2.2 dCi SE (4x2) 5dr	£18,495	37.7 mpg	11.2 s
2.2 dCi SE 5dr	£19,995	37.2 mpg	11.5 s
2.5 16v Aventura 5dr	£22,395	30.1 mpg	9.9 s
2.5 16v Aventura 5dr Auto	£22,395	-	-
2.5 16v Columbia 5dr	£20,395	30.1 mpg	9.9 s
2.5 16v Columbia 5dr Auto	£20,395	-	-

October 2001

Nissan X-Trail launched

Front-wheel drive with selectable four wheel drive and centre diff lock. Familiar 2.0 litre twin-cam Primera engine for UK or 2.2 diesel. Big advantage of totally flat floor with rear seats folded, ideal for dogs and as a working vehicle.

Dimensions are: length 4,510mm (14 ft 10in); width 1,765mm (5 ft 10in); height (without roof spoiler): 1,675mm (5ft 6in). Luggage volume is 350 litres to the parcel shelf or 410 litres to window sill level with the rear seats up.

Standard wheels and tyres were 15" with 215/70 R15 tyres or 16" with 215/65 R16 tyres. But some models such as Columbia and Aventura came on 17" wheels with lower profilt tyres.

Torque converter CVT automatic option on the petrol engine only. This is a 1,998cc 16 valve twin-cam developing 138bhp at 6,000rpm and 142 lb ft (192Nm) torque at 4,000rpm. Gets to 60mph in 11.0 seconds, tops out at 110mph, does 30.4mpg on the combined cycle and emits 221g/km CO2. (Auto: 12.8 secs, 101mph; 28.2mpg; 237g/km CO2.)

Kerb weight of the manual is 1,415kg and maximum braked trailer weight is 1,500kg. The 2,184cc direct-injected external chain cam diesel puts out 112bhp at 4,000rpm and 199lb ft (270Nm) torque at 2,000rpm. It manages sixty in 13.4 seconds, reaches 103mph, does 39.2mpg on the combined cycle and emits 190g/km CO2. (35-36mpg is genuinely realistic.) Kerb weight is 1,525kg and maximum braked trailer weight a useful 2,000kg.

Standard equipment on all models includes triple-mode four-wheel-drive controlled by press-button; disc brakes front and rear; ABS with EBD and brake assist; twin front airbags; anti-hijack remote central locking; and a ski/snowboard flap in the centre of the rear seat.

Sport models gain the additions of wipe-clean dimpled upholstery; side airbags; automatic climate control; two can drinks cooler; six-speaker CD/radio; 16 inch alloy wheels and a roof spoiler that takes the overall height up to 1,750mm (5ft 10ins). SE+ spec adds leather covered seats, steering wheel rim and gearknob; electric folding door mirrors; adjustable armrest; steering wheel mounted audio controls and a six CD autochanger.

Original prices were:- 2.0 S £16,750; 2.2Di S £17,750; 2.0 Sport £17,995; 2.2Di Sport £18,995; 2.0 SE+ £19,895; 2.2Di SE+ £20,895. 2.2 6-speed is also better than any of the competition off road. By far the the best mid size 4x4 and a pleasure to drive.

165bhp 2.5 litre petrol four cylinder engine from early 2003, available with torque converter CVT auto. Voted 'Soft Roader of the Year' both 2002 and 2003 by '4x4' magazine. Four star 2003 NCAP crash test rating and Two star pedestrian safety rating. New Sport-X model with roof rack and roof mounted spot lights from May 2003 from £18,995 for the 165ps 2.5 petrol.

December 2003

Facelift for 2004 arrived early December 2003. 2.2 dCi now pumps out 136PS, with a corresponding 16.3% hike in torque, yet official EC fuel consumption remains 39.2mpg combined and CO2 emissions stay at 190g/km. More power shaves several seconds off the 0-60mph time, bringing it down to 11.2 seconds, and adding 10mph to the top speed.

2.0SE 5-speed manual: £16,995
2.5 Sport 5-speed manual: £18,995
2.5 Sport 4-speed auto: £19,995
2.5 SVE 5-speed manual: £19,895
2.5 SVE 4-speed auto: £21,895
2.5 T-Spec 5-speed manual: £22,595
2.5 T-Spec 4-speed auto: £23,595
2.2 dCi 136 SE 6-speed manual: £18,395
2.2 dCi 136 Sport 6-speed manual: £19,795
2.2 dCi 136 SVE 6-speed manual: £21,695
2.2 dCi 136 T-Spec 6-speed manual: £23,395

March 2005

Improvements and a £300 price hike from March 2005. SVE got privacy glass, cruise control and TMC (upgraded mapping package on the sat nav, where specified). Offer of free bird-view satnav on SVE continued on all orders taken up to 26 March 2005. Sport got 17" alloys, cruise control and TMC where Birdview satnav is specified as an option. Best model and best value spec remains the 2.2 dCi 6-speed Sport. Decent before power hike. Now feels quite lively.

Two wheel drive version from May 2005 from £16,145 for 2.0 petrol and from £17,745 for 2.2dCi. All X-Trails got £650 worth of extra spec including 16" alloy wheels on SE and SVE and 17" on Sport and T-Spec, standard cruise control on both the 2.5 petrol and 2.2 dCi engine versions. Prices of 4x4s up £300.

What to watch out for

01-01-0001:

On early 112bhp 2.2 diesels, listen for timing chain/tensioner rattles and check for losing power. Noticeable between 1,500 and 2,000rpm. Rattling timing chains caused by fracture of the timing chain guides inside the chain cover on some but not all 112bhp 2.2 litre diesels. May also see white smoke. Seizing of diesel pump due to lack of lubricity in the fuel can snap the chains of all 2.2 diesels.

Reports of injector and ECU problems on 2.2 136s. Further reports of turbo failures on 136PS 2.2i diesel, possibly because drivers are not letting them spool down by idling the engine for a minute or two from red hot. TSB to replace failing 'Power Boost Sensors' that can also lead to turbo failure.

In 2009 Nissan extended the warranty on the 2.2 diesel's turbo to 5 years or 90,000 miles.

Reason for engine problems may well be that engine air filters are not routinely changed at services and, of course, on any diesel engine, they need to be. Failure of intercooler common. Large number of turbo, intercooler and general quality problems have led me to withdraw my recommendation of the car.

Another reason for turbo failure is down to the intercooler having compressed connections as opposed to the welded connections now used.

The following applies to Renault 1.5DCI engines, but may explain why the diesel turbochargers fail: The EGR valve should open to allow carbon dioxide (which acts as a cooling gas) into the combustion chambers when the engine is under load (>30% boost). This allows the combustion chamber temperature to drop and thus the temperature of the exhaust gases. If it sticks in the closed position the exhaust gas temperature will rise causing a) the turbo bearings to fail and b) engine oil into the induction system. This can cause the engine to run on its crankcase oil until it is either stalled or goes bang. Problems with EGR valves are often the cause of rough running when the valve is stuck in the open position as well. In several cases turbos have blown but the EGR valve has not been replaced. Inevitably the new turbo unit will not last long.

Problem on overrun on EU4 136bhp diesels between 2,000 and 2,400rpm.

Unusually the X-Trail is fitted with twin tanks. So if a diesel X-Trail is accidentally part-filled with petrol it means draining both tanks. (The tops can be accessed from inside the car.) Check rear wheel arches for rust.

On 2.5 petrol models the exhaust manifold is prone to corroding around the lambda sensors and starts to leak. As the manifold includes a catalytic converter the cost of replacement is around £1,500.

Rubber sealing strips on bottoms of doors wear away down to the metal spring clips which rust and scrape the paint off the door sills.

New problem notified in October 2007 is failure of the fuel tank lifter pump.

Diesel rattle on engine overrun is caused by the solenoids managing the fuel feed not shutting down when you take your foot off the pedal. It allows excess fuel into the injectors which continue to operate. Specialist Diesel Engineers recognise this problem with the X Trail and also with some Toyota diesels. Seems that the problem is more common with cheaper fuels (less lubricant) and can be assisted (cured) by liberal helpings of quality fuel additives.

Just one report (so far, in December 2009), of the fuel tank lining of a 68k mile 2003 X-Trail diesel breaking up and the bits wrecking the fuel pump. Understandable if filled with petrol in error. Surprising otherwise.

26-07-2011:

Apparently, any X-trail with the sequence T30 in its VIN number will be inferior to those with T31... which suggests that they changed turbo manufacturer/supplier at that juncture.

23-08-2012:

Loss of performance of 10 year old X-Trail 2.2 diesels can be caused by corrosion/degredation of the alloy fuel filter housing, letting air into the fuel delivery system. Replacement costs £175.

21-05-2013:

All four brake calipers failed one after the other on a 52k mile 2007 2.2 dCi. Seems to affect 2004-2007 build X-Trails. Also suffering mysterious re-starting prtoblems. Possibly mass airflow sensor.

20-09-2013:

Stalling 10-15 minutes after start-up, especially when car facing uphill, may be caused by a failed non-return valve on either the fuel filter or the fuel filter primer (there are two non-return valves, not one).

25-02-2015:

2002 reg Nissan X-Trail in Takata airbag recall not fixed properly by dealer and returned to owner with airbag light on. Dealer then demanded £65 to fix it.

21-09-2015:

61k mile 2007 X-Trail 2.2 diesel suffering same stalling problem as 20-9-2013. May be same cause or may be one of the two fuel tank lifter pumps failing.

23-09-2015:

Yet another reader with the same stalling problem on a 2007 X-Trail 2.2. This one in Barbados.

31-07-2017:

A tip, not a fault. " For years my X Trail has inexplicably cut in to limp home mode while driving. Diagnostics repeatedly indicated fuel pump fault, which I didn't believe. Problem was solved instantly by replacing crank case control valve. Fuel pump is fine. Apparently this is a relatively frequent problem, with a much simpler solution than the engine diagnostics would indicate. Car has now done 195,000 miles."

20-08-2018:

Report of 2001 Nissan X-Trail with 112,000 miles sounding "like a clattery old bag of spanners for a short while after start-up." See beginningof this section: "Rattling timing chains caused by fracture of the timing chain guides inside the chain cover on some but not all 112bhp 2.2 litre diesels. May also see white smoke. Seizing of diesel pump due to lack of lubricity in the fuel can snap the chains of all 2.2 diesels. "