NISSAN
X-Trail
The Nissan X-Trail started life, like many SUVs did, as a rugged workhorse designed for towing, farming and being practical. Then demand from regular buyers for such vehicles caused an evolution of the genre to make them more family friendly and road-oriented. The previous generation of the X-Trail went a little too far in that regard for our liking, looking like a bloated Qashqai, and driving much the same. Thankfully, the current model is far more impressive. It’s still designed for on-road use more than off (though there are four-wheel-drive options), but it looks the part and the interior, with up to seven seats, is excellent. Some will be put off by the lack of a diesel option, but the ‘ePower’ hybrid system is very pleasant to drive.
This second-generation model looks far more appealing than the odd original but is still more interesting than most crossovers in the same class
Ariya
It took Nissan an awful long time to follow up its ground-breaking Leaf EV with another electric model, but the Ariya crossover was arguably worth the wait. It’s a sleek take on the modern electric SUV, but the stylish exterior hides a spacious cabin, and it’s beautifully appointed, too. There are two different battery sizes, plenty of trim levels, a range of up to 529 kilometres and even the option of an all-wheel-drive model. Pricing at the lower part of the line-up makes this a serious contender and it doesn’t disappoint on the road, either.
Juke
Nissan’s smallest car today is the quirky looking Juke crossover. This second-generation model looks far more appealing than the odd original but is still more interesting than most crossovers in the same class. Interior quality and space took a step up for this iteration, as well. The most affordable models come with a turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine, though the hybrid version gets more power to go along with its better efficiency. You do pay for all that, though.
Leaf
Remarkably, the current Leaf has been in production since 2017 and, while its design – inside and out – betrays this electric hatchback’s age, it’s more relevant than ever to the automotive market as it offers incredibly good-value electric motoring with space for – at a squeeze – up to five people. Today, there are two different battery sizes to consider, the biggest offering an electric range of up to 385 kilometres. That may not grab the headlines, but the Leaf pricing starts at a level comparable to EVs in the class below.
Qashqai
An updated Qashqai hit the Irish market late in 2024, though the tried-and-tested formula has not been changed, which the car’s vast number of buyers will be glad to hear. It’s still a tall, high-quality SUV-cum-crossover designed to comfortably seat five. The front of the car looks more daring now, helping it stand out in a crowd, but we’re glad to see the noticeably wide-opening rear doors remain. Parents of small children will understand. Another thing that has not changed – for good or bad – is the powertrain line-up. Buyers can choose from the average 1.3-litre ‘mild-hybrid’ petrol engine or the much more likeable ePower hybrid system, which makes the Qashqai feel like an electric car much of the time.