WeeklySA_AdminLEGACY: Celebrating SA’s favourite family and adventure SUV that recently underwent a model change…but does it still have the bite or is it more bark?
By Ali Mphaki
I personally know a couple of people who own a Nissan X-Trail or have owned one.
There’s the smart old bloke Justice Mohale (spokesperson of a water company, we agree on most things), and there’s the bold and elegant Nomonde Mbekeni (PR consultant and Elegant Class CEO, we attend the same denomination).
That Mohale and I are smart is manifest in our support of the same Suzuki-sponsored soccer outfit Orlando Pirates, we watch the Madlanga Commission religiously, usually quote Bible-thick but seldom read Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations and are members of our Stokvel society in good-standing.
Anglican church and Mothers Union member PR consultant Mbekeni another Nissan X-Trail enthusiast we normally meet in church on Sundays,
and she is a dedicated supporter of beleaguered glamour boys Kaizer Chiefs, which has lately become a bane of jokes.
Where we disagree to agree with both Mohale and Mbekeni is when it comes to the national question; How long should one hold on to a vehicle before a floor crossing? Why should owning a car be a till-death-do-us-apart contract with a brand?
Thing is for the past 18 years Mohale has been a proud owner of his Nissan X-Trail, one of the 50 000 owners in South Africa who bought the X-Trail since its launch in Mzansi in 2001.
Mbekeni on the other hand, whilst currently cruising around in a Nissan Magnite, holds the record of having bought eight Nissan models previously, which included her X-Trail during 2014 to 2019.
It would seem the same attraction that lured Mohale to purchase his X-Trail in 2008, is the same that makes him want to keep it.
Nothing it seems, like Bester and Magudumana, will pull Mbekeni apart from the Nissan brand, immediately putting the new Nissan X-Trail on her next shopping list. Mohale’s X-Trail may have clocked hundreds of kilometres and dated, but he says he enjoys its consistent everyday usability and capability on any road.
He has no service delivery issues, citing lower fuel consumption, easy manoeuvrability, and practicality you’d want from a family car.
Much as he is tempted to go for the new model, this will depend on serious talks-about-talks with wifey, which hopefully will be escalated to the logical conclusion of approaching his bank manager.
“Anything is possible when it comes to a Nissan,” he says.
It’s been 25 years, or four generations and more than 8 million units globally sold since the iconic family adventure SUV broke cover trusted globally for robustness and versatility – underpinning the fact that the X-Trail has been one of Nissan’s most successful global SUV.
As alluded to by local X-Trail owners like Mohale and Mbekeni you’ll hear the same qualities time and again; versatility, comfort, and a thoughtfully designed 7-seater interior that delivers on space.
Over four generations, the X-Trail has built a strong global footprint, achieving success across Africa, Oceania, Asia and South America. From the third generation onwards, it entered the US market under the name Rogue, where it became – and remains – Nissan’s best-selling vehicle.
Last year in South Africa, the X-Trail underwent a model year change, adding a walk-away look and approach unlocking functionality and wireless charger in all grades to make it more comfortable and convenient for local users.
Today, the X-Trail continues this legacy with Nissan’s e-Power hybrid technology and the e4ORCE all-wheel-drive system, delivering smooth, efficient and confident performance in all conditions.
The new model looks modern and purposeful, but it’s got its path clearly cut out what with rivals like the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, VW Tiguan and the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro AWD.
What is undeniable, however, is that with its ambitious Africa expedition – an 8,000km journey across eight countries from Rosslyn to Cairo last year, the X-Trail – “X” for extreme activities and “Trail” for capability on rough terrain, deserves to be properly celebrated.
Bring out the bubbly.Aziwe!
