unveils the Nissan X-TRAIL.

To be honest, there wasn't a lot wrong with the first generation Nissan X-TRAIL.

It just started feeling a bit old compared with the freshest faces on the compact 4x4 block. The latest car makes a better fist of 'perceived quality' and retains the old car's admirable versatility.

The old car was always one of the tautest-handling small 4x4s around thanks to a well-engineered suspension system that served up a ride and handling compromise that has only been bettered in this class at more rarefied prices. Thankfully little has changed in that regard.

As well as a pair of petrol engines of 2.0 or 2.5-litres, there's a pair of 2.0dCi diesels with either 150 or 173PS, the latter scooting to 60mph in 10 seconds and hitting 124mph where conditions allow.

New from the ground up, the latest X-TRAIL is slightly larger: its wheelbase has increased by 5mm to 2630mm, while overall length has risen by 175mm to 4630mm. Much of this extra length can be found in the luggage area.

With the rear seat in place, the original vehicle had a luggage area VDA measurement of 410 litres up to the lower edge of the rear window: in this latest X-TRAIL, the equivalent figure is 603 litres, an increase of 193 litres (including double deck trunk capacity). Fold the rear seats forward and this increases to 1773 litres.

This has been achieved by rerouting the exhaust silencer from its original transverse position under the boot floor to a north/south location alongside the rear wheel well.

This has allowed creation of an innovative double-deck luggage area, with space for a sliding drawer under the floor where valuable items can be stored away from prying eyes.

The floor and the drawer can both be removed to increase load space further. As a result, the luggage area of this X-TRAIL is deeper and wider than the original.

Though there are exterior styling changes with this latest generation model, more important are the improvements inside. Nissan knew that to compete against rival products like Land Rover’s Freelander2 and the latest Honda CR-V, they would have to up their game in terms of cabin fitment and this they’ve certainly done.

The rather icky plastics of the first generation car have been replaced with more soft touch finishes, metallic highlights and tonnes of auxiliary storage space.

The X-TRAIL looks good on paper next to its immediate rivals when it comes to standard equipment but then it always did. What’s particularly impressive this time is that Nissan has integrated all the bells and whistles very well rather than appearing as rather hasty bolt-ons.

Even the entry-level Trek variant comes with Bluetooth phone integration, 16in alloy wheels, full body-coloured bumpers, climate-controlled air conditioning, a full suite of airbags plus a CD/radio with four speakers.

The X-TRAIL is better built and dynamically more able than before. Economy is helped by the fact you don't need to run the vehicle in all-wheel drive mode all the time, the intelligent 4x4 system reverting to front wheel drive when possible. Another plus is reasonable insurance and ongoing running costs.

FACTFILE:

INSURANCE GROUPS: 9-11

CO2[g/km]/EMISSIONS BAND: 190-216g/km

PERFORMANCE: [dCi 173PS] 0-60mph 10.0s/Max Speed 124mph

FUEL CONSUMPTION: [dCi 173PS] (urban) 30.4mpg/(extra urban) 44.8mpg/(combined) 38.2mpg

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Driver, Passenger, Side & Curtain airbags, ABS, EBD

The all-new X-TRAIL, on sale from September 1, will have a starting price of £18,795 for the entry-level 2.0-litre petrol Trek rising to £26,720 for the upgraded Aventura 150PS 2.0dCi automatic.

In some cases the increase over the outgoing model is as low as £100. There are three grades and four engine variations. To simplify the Nissan 4x4 range grade names of Trek, Sport and Aventura for the X-TRAIL have been taken from the Pathfinder.