2011 Nissan X-Trail Review

Detailed Review

Most first time buyers in Kenya often get conflicting information about the reliability of the Nissan Xtrail and are not sure what to trust. Much of this information is based on hearsay and not firsthand information. Therefore, we set out to undertake a detailed examination of the 2011 Nissan Xtrail, specifically to understand how suitable it is for the Kenyan market.

The 2011 Nissan Xtrail is available in both 2WD and 4WD. This is very important to note when buying a used Xtrail as many dealers do not explicitly state it. The 2WDs are not capable off-road vehicles save for limited occasions where good ground clearance is an advantage. The 6-speed CVT transmission is really a huge improvement over the previous 4-speed and it makes the 2011 Xtrail a very smooth car to drive. The acceleration and power delivery of the CVT is really impressive. There are manual transmission options available, though we didn’t test any but our guess is they are similarly impressive.

Nissan X-Trail Grades
1. Nissan X-Trail 20S –  2WD & 4WD, Petrol 2.0 Litre MR20 Engine, 16 Inch Alloy Rims, 135hp
2. Nissan X-Trail 20X –  2WD & 4WD , Petrol 2.0 Litre MR20 Engine, 17 Inch Alloy Rims, 135hp
3. Nissan X-Trail 20XTT – 4WD , Petrol 2.0 Litre MR20 Engine, 18 Inch Alloy Rims, 135hp
4. Nissan X-Trail 20XGT – 4WD, Diesel 2.0 Litre  M9R Engine, 18 Inch Alloy Rims/150hp
5. Nissan X-Trail 25X –  4WD, Petrol 2.5 Litre QR25 Engine, 18 Inch Alloy Rims, 169hp

Interior
Legroom & Space
The 2011 Nissan Xtrail is a spacious and comfortable car. The seats are set at an upright and raised position that provides for a natural seating position. The roof is high such that the head space feels like that of a Toyota Land Cruiser. The 1st row seats provide the best sitting position with the ability to adjust horizontally and vertically.

The 2nd row seats are also comfortable and have the ability to recline to a desired sitting position. Rear passengers are afforded a good view of the road because the seats are set at a higher position than the 1st row. With 3 adult passengers seated at the back, the shoulder space and leg space amongst them is sufficient. The middle seat is rather tight and will not comfortably sit a tall person. The seats are made of water repellant material, ideal for families with children (No worry of spilt drinks)

Cabin Storage
The 2011 Nissan Xtrail comes with clever storage compartments in the cabin that come handy for storing items such as mobile phones, beverages, sunglasses, handbags, etc. At the front, there are 4 cup-holders, a storage bin on the dashboard, glovebox, center-box, and door jacket pockets. At the back, there’s storage space on the front seat pockets and door pockets. The center seat folds down to create an armrest with 2 mini shelves. In all, the 2011 Nissan Xtrail has plenty of storage spaces in the cabin.

Boot Space
The 2011 X-Trail has got one of the most functional boots we’ve seen so far. The floor is raised to accommodate two storage shelves beneath that can be used to store small sized items. They can be used to store shoes, tools, and valuables such laptops and electronics. The rear seats can be folded for extra boot space. The surface of the boot is covered in a scratch-proof and water proof material.

Other Extras: Double Din Stereo, Navigation(Optional), AC, Heater, Fog Lights, Roof Rails

2011 Nissan X-Trail Safety Features: ABS, EBD, TRC, SRS Airbags

Exterior
The 2011 Nissan Xtrail is considerably bigger than the previous generation. The headlights and taillights have been redesigned and the plastic body cladding enlarged.

Fuel Consumption
2011 Nissan Xtrail 2.0L Fuel Consumption: 13.2 km/L
2011 Nissan Xtrail 2.5L Fuel Consumption: 9.6km/L
2011 Nissan Xtral 2.0GT Fuel Consumption: 15.2km/L

Acceleration
2011 Nissan Xtrail 2.0L accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 11.1 secs.
2011 Nissan Xtrail 2.5L accelerates from 0-100km/h in 9.9 secs.
2011 Nissan Xtrail 2.0GT accelerates from 0-100km/h in 10.5 secs.

Fuel Tank Capacity: 65 Litres

2011 Nissan X-Trail Ground Clearance
The 2011 Nissan Xtrail has a ground clearance of 8.3 Inches. This is very good ground clearance and you will comfortably drive in Kenya without worrying about speed bumps and potholes.

2011 Nissan X-Trail Service Schedule
Minor Service- At 10,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil
Major Service – At 15,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil

Spare Parts Availability, Cost & Where to buy
The 2011 Nissan X-Trail service parts and mechanical parts are generally easy to find in Kenya. Some body parts such as headlamps can be difficult to find and may require long hours of searching. Body parts are also generally expensive as compared to service parts. In Nairobi, most spare shops in Industrial area and Kirinyaga road stock these spare parts. You can get listings for these shops here

2011 Nissan X-Trail Reliability
The driving conditions in Kenya are significantly different from those in Japan and Europe. Reviews done for those markets largely do not apply to the Kenyan market. There are differences in roads, fuel, climate, spares, and technical expertise. To give you accurate and reliable local insights, we interview experts such as mechanics and car dealers, who have in-depth knowledge of the Kenyan market. We also test the cars ourselves. Our aim is to give you the right information to enable you make an informed decision when buying a car.

The most commonly used engine in the 2011 Nissan X-Trail is the MR20DE. It replaced the QR20DE engine from the previous generation. The reliability issues that plagued some previous generation models largely stemmed from the QR20DE engine. These issues were mainly due to the use of wrong engine oil that led to multiple failure points. The MR20DE is a highly reliable engine and has resolved most of the issues from previous engine. The 2011 Nissan X-Trail is virtually a different car and it boasts of top notch ratings. In Kenya, we interviewed several Nissan mechanics and they all gave the 2011 Nissan X-Trail a clean bill of health. As with any car, it is advisable that you read the Owners Manual and strictly follow it.

The M9R turbo diesel engine requires extra care especially with service. Ensure that the car is serviced at the right intervals using only Nissan genuine parts. Be careful with the engine oil used. It should be of the right viscosity as prescribed in the Owner’s Manual. Once you follow the correct procedures in the manual, the diesel engine is a joy to drive and will serve you for many years. Click on this link to download the 2011 Nissan X-Trail Manual

Resale Value: Average

2011 Nissan X-Trail Competitors: Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Mitsubishi Outlander, Honda CR-V, VW Tiguan, Toyota Vanguard

Cost of Ownership
Purchase Price: See Latest Nissan X-Trail Prices here
Comprehensive Insurance: Average Ksh. 56,000/- Or
3rd Party Insurance: Ksh. 7,000/-
Change of Tyres(If neccessary): Ksh. 60,000/- for 4 Tyres

What we like about the 2011 Nissan Xtrail
1.A spacious and functional boot
2. Good ground clearance
3. Smooth Acceleration

What we don’t
The 2WD options are not worth the money. Go for 4WD options as much as possible.

Conclusion
The 2011 Nissan X-Trail is a family car that is in the top tier of small sized SUVs. It is a huge improvement over the previous generation and is now very reliable. If you are in the market for a family car, then we strongly recommend the 2011 X-Trail. Before you buy however, make sure that the car is in good condition and have it checked mechanically. Avoid cars with smoking engines and any rattling noises should be a red flag. Try to avoid 2WD option unless you’re absolutely satisfied with its off-road limitations. The 2WD option should always be cheaper in the market than the 4WD.