2003 Nissan X-Trail SVE from UK and Ireland - Comments

Nothing.

I previously had a top range Mitsubishi Shogun 3.5L, the X Trail is more comfortable, faster, more economical, better specified and £15,000 cheaper.

The heated leather seats are superb the drive is smooth and the handling is amazing for this type of vehicle.

This is my sixth four wheel drive vehicle and by far the best value for money.

I firmly believe they are on a winner with this model.

I recently purchased a 2003 model 2.5 "SVE" Automatic. It's my first 4x4, previously drove a BMW 3 series, but need the extra room and added safety of the elevated driving position.

The only two issues I have with this car are...

1) with the auto gearbox, on steeper hills the the car will rollback unless you have the handbrake on or are pressing the accelerator to keep the car in position. None of the auto cars I have previously driven.

2) No illumination in the door lock switch on the drivers door when the headlights are switched on (the switch the locks all the doors).

I have owned my 2 litre X Trail SE+ for 3 years now having driven 19000 miles, I like the abundance of features, but this model is seriously underpowered and if it were not for the heavy potential loss I would have changed it for the 2.5 model which was not available here when I bought it. The only other serious downside is the LED heater controls which are unreadable in strong light and I have to stop the car to change them. They have now been replaced by conventional controls I believe. I would advise against purchasing these early models on these two badly designed items alone. Other than this it's a comfortable car and great for long trips. I get 30 mpg.

Hope all this comments and tips will help take the right option.

My case is different, always driving "heavy-duty" 4wd vehicles (Daihatsu, Land Rover, Suzuki's) using low-range frequently. My first SUV was my wife's and seldom times used Honda CR-v. Now I'd rather have a space generous car, no longer driving on extreme 4wd paths and economy, rather buy this one instead of Toyota, Honda or Koreans.