THE ability of Nissan’s X-Trail to tackle difficult terrain has been well documented over its 12-year history.

Deep wading and rough ground prove no problem thanks to excellent ground clearance and a comprehensive suspension system that’s resulted from the platform shared with its stablemate, the Qashqai SUV.

The driving experience is made all the more relaxing by the adoption of six-speed manual transmissions across the range.

Featuring superb levels of grip afforded by All-Mode 4x4-i, the XTrail is one of the most practical and comfortable SUVs on the market.

And if you want to fork out some more for sporty looks and lots of gadgets, then Nissan will be pleased to introduce you its n-tec+ version, which comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, Nissan Connect and Around View Monitor 360 as standard.

Priced at £27,790, the new n-tec+ grade sits between the Acenta and flagship Tekna models.

Step inside and you find a five-inch touchscreen satellite navigation system that also packs Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free telephone calls and music streaming.

And when you reverse or park, you are introduced to the Around View Monitor 360-degree parking system, which features colour front, rear and passenger side cameras that ensure owners will always have the advantage of a bird’s-eye view when manoeuvring.

An electric tilt-and-slide panoramic sunroof, plus Intelligent key for keyless entry and start, complete the equipment list. And that’s in addition, of course, to climate control, cruise control, automatic headlights, rainsensing wipers and rear privacy glass.

Under the bonnet is a 171bhp 2.0- litre dCi turbodiesel engine, which has 360Nm of torque and is capable of towing 2,200kg. Nissan’s All-Mode 4x4-i system with Uphill Start Support and Downhill Drive Support makes sure the X-Trail is surefooted whatever the weather.

I well remember my first encounter with the X-Trail. It was being driven by a man who was grey from head to foot.

He had been patrolling an off-road course in a forested area of North Yorkshire in his battered X-Trail, a far cry from today’s n-tec+ version. The weather was unseasonably hot, dust clung to cars and clothing, and there he stood... the most dust-covered man I had ever seen.

Being called on time and again to help drivers negotiate trickier parts of the course, he had become enveloped in a grey hue.

Day after day, his X-Trail negotiated the course, clocking up 190,000 miles, and it was still going strong – unlike the vehicle I was in, which my co-driver had unwittingly steered over a tree branch in and ruptured the fuel pipe. Nevermind, the grey man and his trusty X-Trail would get us back to base.

Reputations for off-road capability are made by people like the grey man, who extolled the virtues of his X-Trail to all who cared to listen. This was a proper 4x4, doing a proper 4x4 job.

However, the vast majority of 4x4s have to do a lot more than the offroad stuff these days. Many will not even venture further than a grassy picnic spot or the village recreation ground for the annual fete.

But the X-Trail was made for getting dirty. It is thoroughly reliable off-road, where it proves it’s far more than a jacked-up estate car and is capable of the kind of out-door pursuiting Nissan claims many X-Trail owners are likely to engage in.

The four-wheel-drive system operates in two-wheel-drive mode as its default setting, but the twist of a dial on the centre console brings all four wheels into play, while a further twist adds a diff lock if the going gets really sticky.

A facelift a couple of years ago introduced a redesigned grille, new bumper and revised lights, as well as LED rear lights. Modifications to the manual and automatic gearboxes, plus aerodynamic improvements for a lower CO2 figure and extensive revisions to the 2.0-litre diesel engine resulted in greater efficiency. Fuel economy is improved and emissions reduced.

It is also very comfortable and there is enough legroom in the back to seat three adults with ease. Leave the rear seats in place and you will find a boot with 479 litres of space and a series of drawers with a false floor that proves useful for stowing smaller items. The boot floor is flat and has a plastic wipe-clean surface, so muddy wellies and the like are taken in its stride without any worries about muddying plush carpet. Under the boot floor, on the right-hand-side, is a large slide-out drawer, which is great for keeping bits and pieces in without them rolling around in the car, while on the other side, was a deep compartment for other “stuff”. It’s a simple thing, but it’s useful and effective and just improves the car’s practicality.

The 2.0-litre turbodiesel coupled to a six-speed gearbox delivers its power smoothly and without fuss, making for a relaxing drive, although this is an old-school diesel with an accompanying soundtrack at low speeds and standstill.

On the open road and in town, the X-Trail’s raised driving position provides a good vantage point, and the car is a doddle to drive once you have come to terms with its large dimensions. I was impressed with how quiet it was at cruising speed on a motorway. There was very little wind noise, despite its big square mirrors and chunky styling.

Low-range gears and a braked towing capacity of 2200kg mean that whether you are pushing through poor terrain or pulling a horsebox, the X-Trail can cope – admirably.

None of this comes as any great surprise. After all, the X-Trail has ground out a reputation as an allrounder with an enviable capability.

Fact file

NISSAN X-TRAIL N-TEC+ 2.0DCI

PRICE: £27,790

ENGINE: 2.0-litre diesel, developing 171bhp

TRANSMISSION: six-speed manual driving front or all four wheels

PERFORMANCE: top speed 124mph; 0 to 62mph in 10.0 seconds

ECONOMY: 44.1mpg combined

CO2 RATING: 168g/km