We review the Nissan X-Trail from price to economy and all its features

Reinvented... The Nissan X-Trail

MY father-in-law had the old X-Trail. It was a good choice for a pensioner - reliable, high seating position to see over the hedges.

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But I found it boring and boxy.

Now Nissan has reinvented the X-Trail, building on the looks of the Qashqai, to make it more appealing to more people.

The price drop and cheaper running costs will help and the early signs are good with 1,300 pre-orders.

I clocked up 700 miles testing it this week - including that trip to the X Factor auditions in the tail end of Hurricane Bertha. It's been an emotional journey.

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Price drop... The new motor has 1,300 pre-orders

First impressions?

The X-Trail completes Nissan's crossover line-up. It's now got the option of seven seats (£700 extra) so it's more convenient and, being a dad, I like the rear doors opening to 80 degrees. There's plenty of space, good onboard technology and it has a more upmarket feel. Another big plus is that service costs will be up to 15 per cent lower and insurance is down ten groups.

How does it drive?

It's more car-like, again like the Qashqai, more refined and the steering is so light you can turn the wheel with your little pinky.

There's a clever braking system that pulls the car into roundabouts, reduces lean and eliminates understeer - and active ride control helps smooth bumps in the road.

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Easy... The steering is so light, you can turn it with your little finger

And check out those chunky tyres with 19in alloys (you get a proper 17in spare wheel under the boot floor).

The new Euro-6 standard 1.6litre turbo diesel has the same performance as the 2litre lump in the old car - yet Co2 emissions are 39g/km lower at 129g/km.

Nissan also claim it is 30 per cent more fuel efficient and it can tow two tonnes. A petrol version is due next year.

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What's it like inside?

There are four trim levels from Visia at £22,995 to the all-singing, all-dancing Tekna model that I tested with heated leather seats at £29,295. Nissan expects three in four buyers to go for the Tekna or n-tec grade below it, which includes panoramic roof and electric boot lid.

The 7in touchscreen is easy to use and there's a second iPhone-sized screen between the instrument dials. Gadgets include cruise control, traffic sign recognition, around-view park assist and moving object detection (to stop you wiping out the odd shopping trolley).

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Tech... The flash 7in touchscreen

The rear seats are on a rail to maximise boot space and ease access to the extra fold-down seats in the boot. Go for the five-seater and the boot floor pulls up to separate your shopping.

VERDICT: More stylish, more practical and the lower running costs could add ten per cent to residual value. Strong rivals include the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 - but it's a yes from me.

What did X Factor hopefuls think of the new X-Trail? Find out