FOR the second year running, the Nissan X-Trail has been voted the “best recreational vehicle” by Auto Express magazine.

The Land Rover Freelander and Honda CR-V were runners-up.

The awards were held at the Landmark Hotel in London in June; the results have been made public only recently.

Simon Thomas, Nissan’s marketing director, was there on the night to collect the award from Auto Express columnist Mike Brewer.

David Johns, editor of Auto Express, said: “The X-Trail blends a trend-setting exterior with twinkle-toed handling and swift performance. Add in the innovative interior and the diesel’s six-speed manual gearbox and the X-Trail makes a strong case for retaining its crown in 2003.”