This has to be one of the smoothest 4x4s you will come across. Nissan have been producing 4x4s for a long time and have made something of an art form of it now. Understated is its middle name in terms of looks but it is only when you compare it to rivals that you realise just how good it is. There is a fine and spacious cabin with good quality materials and lots of comfort items. There is a large boot and a sense of refined comfort all through. It comes into its own on the road where it brushes aside all but the worst bumps and crevices. The engines are in keeping with the push to reduce fuel consumption and consequently emissions. There is plenty of power. The Xtrail is a big car for relatively small money and is a car that should be among the least costly to keep on the road.

•  A few reports of DPF failures in models from 2007 to 2009

•  The interior is spacious and practical

•  Well-built, robust, and extremely capable SUV

•  It really has excellent off-road ability

•  It feels competent, refined and assured on the road

•  It is a super-reliable car

•  One of the best looking in its class

•  The petrol engines are quite thirsty