2017 Nissan X-Trail 2.0 dCi 177 4WD N-Vision first drive

Since its introduction in 2014, the current generation Nissan X-Trail has become a familiar sight on UK roads. With seating for seven, tidy handling and low running costs, it seemed like it covered all the bases for prospective buyers.

But on listening to customer feedback, Nissan learned that buyers wanted more. Specifically, they wanted a bigger engine for improved flexibility and a less stressful towing experience. That leads us to the new X-Trail 2.0 dCi with a much healthier 175bhp and 280lb ft, up 47bhp and 44Ib ft on the 1.6-litre diesel.

The new engine also brings the option of an automatic-gearboxed four-wheel-drive variant for the first time. Named Xtronic, this is a CVT ‘box that is also the only option if you want a front-wheel-drive 2.0-litre. If you’d rather shift yourself, you can have the four-wheel-drive manual model we’re testing here.

There may be a new engine under the X-Trail’s heavily sculpted bonnet, but there are no signs from the outside to let anyone know. There’s still one hidden tail-pipe at the back, no badging related to the motor’s capacity and the same range of alloy wheels. While that’s fine by us, we suspect a good few owners would welcome some differentiation.

Fire up the 2.0-litre lump and any hopes that it would be more refined than the rather raucous 1.6-litre unit are dashed. It’s by no means the worst for refinement in the class, but there are a few vibrations through the pedals at idle and a coarse engine note that gets particularly intrusive when you’re working the motor hard.

The engine will pull cleanly from around 1200rpm, but you really need to get up to at least 1800rpm before it pulls with any conviction. Keep the revs up and it’s usefully quicker than the 1.6 and would certainly be better for towing. That said, the Volkswagen Group's 2.0-litre TDI unit comes on song lower in the rev range and is more refined.

The Nissan X-Trail handles much the same as before, with not much body roll, adequate levels of grip and a safe, secure balance. It doesn't excite, but the steering is well weighted and allows you to precisely place the nose of the car. It also tracks straight at speed with little correction needed to keep it in lane.

Venture off-road and you’ll find decent traction that can be boosted by locking the system into a 50/50 split front-to-rear. Even left to its own devices, the variable split deals with fairly muddy ground and dirt roads without issue. However, if you regularly drive over heavily rutted ground, we’d look elsewhere, because of the Nissan X-Trail's shortage of axle articulation and ground clearance. In other words, it’s not really much different to the vast majority of the competition.