Owner Feedback on Nissan X-Trail

[Cisco KId]

Well I am giving up my Nissan Spec V and moving to an X-Trail this weekend. I am not sure if it will be the XE AWD @ 2.45% lease rate for me or the SE FWD at 3.15%.

I am moving to this vehicle because my son is getting to the age where activities are starting. This winter will be snowboarding and other stuff.

I want to hear back on thoughts of the FWD model as 80% of the time this vehicle will be in FWD mode. So I am asking why pay more for insurance on an AWD model. Approx $25-30 mth extra just to have AWD when the FWD will come with additional features. Choice of drivetrain will be auto as no need for a 5 speed unless you are in a sportier vehicle like say my Spec V.

I do not want to hear about other choices such as CRV and Rav4. Choice is made it will be an X-Trail in sunlit sand color the question is AWD or FWD , currently wife thinks the FWD will be more than adequate as even the AWD is not meant for real off road 4x4'ing

[r1lee]

Lets take out the fact that you might not use the 4wd mode at all. But since you said snowboarding, heading up to places like blue mountain and mount st. louis the streets are covered in snow.

I would say, go with AWD even if you never think you'll use it.. its comforting to know that its working.

[r1lee]

Lets take out the fact that you might not use the 4wd mode at all. But since you said snowboarding, heading up to places like Whisler or such its always better to be safe then sorry.

I would say, go with AWD even if you never think you'll use it.. its comforting to know that its there.

[v00d00]

You really think he's going to drive from BC to Blue Mountain?

Seems a bit crazy, since there's plenty of mountains in BC already.

Myself, I wouldn't buy an SUV without 4WD.. it just doesn't make sense.

And I must say.. Mmmmmmmmmmmm X-Trail! I love them. Nice choice.

[stealth]

You really think he's going to drive from BC to Blue Mountain?

Seems a bit crazy, since there's plenty of mountains in BC already.

Myself, I wouldn't buy an SUV without 4WD.. it just doesn't make sense.

And I must say.. Mmmmmmmmmmmm X-Trail! I love them. Nice choice.


Lol....well, Toronto is after all the center of the universe :confused:
Why even think someone would want to live elsewhere? :cheesygri

[v00d00]

WHAT! Civilized people live elsewhere? :eek:

What is this world coming to!

[pandaharo]

If you're only going to Whistler and the local mountains, FWD with winter tire is good enough, just make sure you check the weather. I never check the weather and I drive through the interior/rockies a lot in the winter so all my cars are full time AWD eventhough I live in Vancouver. AWD is a nice thing to have sort of like peace of mind insurance.

[v00d00]

I want to hear back on thoughts of the FWD model as 80% of the time this vehicle will be in FWD mode.
Well good luck with the FWD model, as 100% of the time the vehicle will be in FWD mode.

So what are you going to do that 20% of the time when you are WISHING you had it. Save yourself the regret and inconveniences, and just fork the money over.. it's not like you'll go homeless because of it.

Losing control of your vehicle or being stuck somewhere.. well that will really hurt when you're sitting there swearing at yourself for cheaping out and not buying the AWD model.

[Xiggy]

This is BC we're talking about... when was the last time we had a big snow storm? I personally don't think you need an AWD to go around the GVRD. I've been taking my RWD Supra up to Whistler every year for the pass 3 years and my RWD '84 Celica before that. Never once got stuck... all you need are good quality snow tires... none of that all-season crap.

[sonick]

all you need are good quality snow tiresit'd make more sense to have AWD just in case you might need it for heavy rain/mud snow, than to buy snow tires to drive in the 2 days out of 365 that we have snow which MIGHT require snow tires...

[v00d00]

Snow tires? So it snows.. you spend half the day putting on your snow tires and by the time you get back on the road the snow is all gone.. then you spend the other half of the day taking them off.

There's honestly a night and day difference between AWD and 2WD in less than ideal road conditions.

At the end of the day it's your choice.. but my choice would be to spend the few bucks more on AWD, because it's not like I'm going to notice that extra few bucks in a month.

[sonick]

Snow tires? So it snows.. you spend half the day putting on your snow tires and by the time you get back on the road the snow is all gone.. then you spend the other half of the day taking them off. exactly my point...

[Cisco KId]

This is BC we're talking about... when was the last time we had a big snow storm? I personally don't think you need an AWD to go around the GVRD. I've been taking my RWD Supra up to Whistler every year for the pass 3 years and my RWD '84 Celica before that. Never once got stuck... all you need are good quality snow tires... none of that all-season crap.


I am going with the SE FWD model for the extra features vs the EX AWD, cost with insurance is a difference. After all my research and owner/user reviews I have concluded that the FWD is enough for my use. Heck I have been in BC for 16 yrs and have never been stuck once in the winter in all my travels to Whistler and the local hills as well as the Interior and I have driven in some good snowstorms. Sunlit sand or black will be the colour.

thanks for the bumps and feedback

[am0rak]

Why the hell would anyone buy a FWD SUV ?!?

If you're not going to use AWD/4WD, then buy a wagon! A Nice Mazda6 Sports Wagon has more power, more ammenities and a better prices - AS WELL AS LOWER INSURANCE AND FUEL COSTS!

... People who buy an SUV to drive around a big city that gets 2 dustings of snow a year, and haul their one kid to soccer practice annoy me :mad:

Still, a "Cute-Ute" like an X-trail isn't near as bad as an Expedition or the like... But still, look at a wagon!, it fits your needs and is a less expensive alternative!

[DavidY]

If one drives to Whistler or the interior during the winter, he/she should be driving an AWD/4WD with four snow tires (marked with mountain and snowflake symbol). It is a less safe drive with FWD. I wouldn't even make the drive without snow tires. Snow tires remain soft and grippy when the temps reach below zero degrees Celsius....works much better on ice and snow than all seasons (three season tires really).

Dave

[DJ_Peanuts22]

a FWD SUV is practically useless. if your goal is to haul people/equipment, get a minivan or station wagon for that job. if any, you wud be better off in just keeping the Spec V you have now instead.

[Cisco KId]

Why the hell would anyone buy a FWD SUV ?!?

If you're not going to use AWD/4WD, then buy a wagon! A Nice Mazda6 Sports Wagon has more power, more ammenities and a better prices - AS WELL AS LOWER INSURANCE AND FUEL COSTS!

... People who buy an SUV to drive around a big city that gets 2 dustings of snow a year, and haul their one kid to soccer practice annoy me :mad:

Still, a "Cute-Ute" like an X-trail isn't near as bad as an Expedition or the like... But still, look at a wagon!, it fits your needs and is a less expensive alternative!


I have already looked at the wagon idea, and it is not what I want nor a minivan. First my lease is with Nissan in order to deal with anyone else I have to get them to release the lease which I do not want to do. I have owned vehicles from mazada/honda/acura/volkswagon (but long ago) and Toyota. To date Nissan has been lowest maintenance by a significant margin.

Second I am getting a loyalty bonus going into lease number 2. I am primarily after the additional room over what I currently drive. I prefer Nissan over Mazada due to bad experience with them in past. Appearance/functionality is important to me. Also the M6 is not priced better and is not an option.

I have not 100% ruled out AWD XE model it just depends if they will give me alloys instead of steel wheels. Gas economy comes into play with an AWD vehicle as well when it is used. I prefer a vehicle with 4 cyclinder for reduced fuel and insurance costs over a 6 cylinder plus maintenance costs and the X-trail engine is proven and very solid with adequate power for me.

I am buying this vehicle for its reliability ,style (personal preference/comfort and rear cargo usefulness as well as its reliability as it has been around for 5yrs now in other countries and we are receiving version 2. The X-Trails results compared to its competition places it in the top 2. If I could get the diesel motor as they have in other countries I would hop on it like a pig in shat. I feel that FWD with a snow mode/activation feature considering my driving experience is sufficient to travel anywhere in BC as I have done already.

I realize that AWD is safer overall but if you are someone who actually knows how to drive properly or actually taken driving courses (beyond driver education training) FWD is enough considering our climate and local enviroment but most importantly my needs.

Thanks for the feedback guys

[m77m7]

Did you purchase this car yet? I might be in the market for one and it seems more appealing to me than the CRV or Rav4.

From my homework, there is a switch where you can turn off the AWD and use only 2WD. But if insurance costs are your reason, thats your choice.

If you have this vehicle already, how do you like it? have you found any pet peeves yet? how much of a discount were you able to bargain on one of these? is the x-trail still available for order? or did they have to locate one at a local dealer to get you your car?

Thanks in advance for your feedback

[Cisco KId]

Did you purchase this car yet? I might be in the market for one and it seems more appealing to me than the CRV or Rav4.

From my homework, there is a switch where you can turn off the AWD and use only 2WD. But if insurance costs are your reason, thats your choice.

If you have this vehicle already, how do you like it? have you found any pet peeves yet? how much of a discount were you able to bargain on one of these? is the x-trail still available for order? or did they have to locate one at a local dealer to get you your car?

Thanks in advance for your feedback


I purchased the vehicle already and it now has 504km's on it. So far I have nothing I dislike about it, I will point you to a forum that can give you way more insiight than here where I asked questions and got feedback.

I ended up opting for the XE AWD , I was originally expecting to buy the SE FWD because I felt FWD was more than adequate. The only challenge is the SE FWD only comes in auto and after driving the auto and then trying a 5 speed I was way more "at home" in the 5 speed. So I got the XE AWD 5 spd in silver. The dealer I dealt with had it in stock, I originally wanted the sunlit sand but I would have had to wait and silver was my next choice cause it stays clean easier vs say black. I also felt the interior suited the silver colour well.

Overall I like the seating , controls layout and the space inside, my wife loves the vehicle. Yes it has a swiutch to alternate from FWD to AWD and a lock mode which is to be used in a situation where you are stuck. It is good to 30kmph where after that it switches to AWD even though the indicator says "lock" This is to prevent damage because the gear ratio is changed with this feature and it is more of a 4 wd to 30k for deep snow sand/loamy soil. I have not bothered with the AWD feature as there has been no need. Gas consumption has been okay , half tank has got me just shy of 300K, I expect it to get better around the 16K mark.

I am debating whether I will purchase the Nissan Oil change program at $350, gives me lifetime oil changes for as long as I have the vehicle. For me I would recoup the cost after 8 oil changes valuing them at $45 at the dealer. That is 40K and I will have the vehicle to around 80K then I will prolly re-lease another Nissan vehicle.

I got a lyalty bonus as I had the Spec V leased with Nissan so my lease rate was 2.45% vs 2.7, the XE AWD has the best lease rate. Since I leased and was returning my Spec V 9 mths early some of that cost had to be worked into my payment. I am paying 434/mth which is actually really good with 0 down, 1 payment free and I coughed up $180 at pickup, no other costs at all. So I am in a lease of 47 more payments at $434 residual left is 45% = 12200, I will prolly return it at the 40mth mark as I did with my Spec V.

Overall I liek the unit the engine has more than adequate power and I like being able to utilize FWD for the majority of my driving vs full time 4 wd or AWD.

If you are financing or paying cash outright you will have some room to get a bit of a discount but I already know the margin is slim because they are moving this vehicle like hotcakes.

Hope that answers your questions and my insurance only went up $5/mth with private collion/comp and ICBC liability

[m77m7]

Thanks for the detailed reply. It has helped a lot. (Where is the forum you mentioned?) Good luck with the vehicle.