Thread: Xtrail, 2 or 4wheel drive.

Thanks for the comments and assumptions.. Sub-standard country roads are where this 'builders moll' will be driving so need something sturdy that can negotiate craters, carry the family and maybe twice a year see a motorway. Need three full seats in back so Qashqai too small, have driven and liked. There are many, many cars I would rather have but for practicality need something like an Xtrail. Still no wiser on which model to purchase.

Quote: Originally Posted by peasant there's more to 4x4 than just mudplugging The x-trail has one of those clever AWD systems that gives you 4WD on demand without you doing anything. These kind of systems can hugely improve your safety in dodgy driving conditions. If all your driving is done on city center and/or major roads you won't need that ...if you do a lot of driving on mucky/flooded/leaf covered/icy/ snowy country roads then...

Quote: Originally Posted by matildda Thanks for the comments and assumptions.. Sub-standard country roads are where this 'builders moll' will be driving so need something sturdy that can negotiate craters, carry the family and maybe twice a year see a motorway. Need three full seats in back so Qashqai too small, have driven and liked. There are many, many cars I would rather have but for practicality need something like an Xtrail....

there's more to 4x4 than just mudplugging The x-trail has one of those clever AWD systems that gives you 4WD on demand without you doing anything. These kind of systems can hugely improve your safety in dodgy driving conditions. If all your driving is done on city center and/or major roads you won't need that ...if you do a lot of driving on mucky/flooded/leaf covered/icy/ snowy country roads then it starts making a lot of sense

If the OP really has to ask the question in the first place then it seems clear to me that he/she doesn't need 4WD. If you are worried about fuel consuption and you don't need 4WD then an SUV is probably not the right vehicle to looking at buying imo.

Quote: Originally Posted by matildda Sub-standard country roads are where this 'builders moll' will be driving so need something sturdy that can negotiate craters, Most ordinary cars can survive the "sub-standard" roads. It all depends on the speed you drive on the road. Just because the car/SUV looks tough, it doesn't follow that the vehicle is tough. The X-Trail is designed as an SUV, and it's natural...

i think an estate car with traction control/vehicle stability control will perform just as well as a 4x4 on country roads --- assuming you are not taking it into the fields. Given your basic requirements for safety,studiness etc, for me in this situation I would be looking for: - traction control/vehicle stability control - abs/ebd - as many airbags as I can get - euro ncap 5 - estate for usable boot space

Quote: Originally Posted by matildda Looking to buy a 06/07 Nissan Xtrail for family car. We are decided on diesel engine but need advice on whether to buy 2wheel or 4wheel drive model. Wanting to keep fuel costs down, thought 2wheel better option but all reviewers favour 4wheel drive model. We wont be doing any serious off-roading. All help greatly appreciated. As already posted, the 4wd model has a switch just to the left of the steering...