--
"PR" wrote in message
...

Some people dont like the "plastic wood" on the higher models, and there
are
other bits that are down to personal taste, but having driven some very
much
more expensive machinery I cant personally agree with your impressions -
but
in this case its your money and you will buy something else!

Most people who have X-Trails seem to like them and have no real problems
with them - for me personally, the X-trail just isnt in the league I am
looking for - I had 2 choices, The Sorento or something 10 to 15k more
expensive like the new Volvo or VW offerings. I saved the money, bought a
Sorento 3.5v6 and dont feel that I am in a fundamentally inferior or
"cheaper" car. However good the X-Trail is it is hard to see it as a
genuine alternative to something at the 30k plus mark, The Sorento is far,
far, closer to it (as long as you dont need the Volvos 7 seats!).

I have just been looking at both the Sorrento and the X-Trail this week at
the Display in the Shopping Centre at Milton Keynes. Within the next 3
months I want to purchase a replacement tow car and both cars mentioned
would fit the bill and are of a very similar price. I have to say that I
liked the Sorrento it seemed well designed and put together. My concern is
with the Kia, despite the avalanche of praise it has received is what
happens in the longer term with reliability and values. I suppose you could
say that buying anything with four wheels on new is a mugs game!!! Out of
the two I think my choice would be the X-Trail particularly as it now comes
with an uprated engine of 136hp. It is a smaller vehicle than the Sorrento
which would suit my wife. I now have to decide whether the X-Trail is going
to make a better towcar than a Ford Mondeo 130hp diesel as I can acquire a
new one of the latter at an advantageous price.


David - Milton Keynes
www.caravantravels.co.uk
Details of our Caravan Travels in the UK and Europe with help and advice and
site reports

Nissan build cars!
Honda make motorbikes!

I have a Nissan X-Trail and a Yamaha 900 motorbike. I would not touch
the Hondas.

I traded a Discovery for the X-Tail and in preference to a Freelander.

GO for it you will not be disappointed on price, economy or
performance and fun.

slightly behind the times ?

Do BMW only build bubble cars still?

wrote in message
...
Nissan build cars!
Honda make motorbikes!

I have a Nissan X-Trail and a Yamaha 900 motorbike. I would not touch
the Hondas.

I traded a Discovery for the X-Tail and in preference to a Freelander.

GO for it you will not be disappointed on price, economy or
performance and fun.

I have just been looking at both the Sorrento and the X-Trail this week at
the Display in the Shopping Centre at Milton Keynes. Within the next 3
months I want to purchase a replacement tow car and both cars mentioned
would fit the bill and are of a very similar price. I have to say that I
liked the Sorrento it seemed well designed and put together. My concern
is
with the Kia, despite the avalanche of praise it has received is what
happens in the longer term with reliability and values. I suppose you
could
say that buying anything with four wheels on new is a mugs game!!! Out of
the two I think my choice would be the X-Trail particularly as it now
comes
with an uprated engine of 136hp. It is a smaller vehicle than the Sorrento
which would suit my wife. I now have to decide whether the X-Trail is
going
to make a better towcar than a Ford Mondeo 130hp diesel as I can acquire a
new one of the latter at an advantageous price.


David - Milton Keynes
www.caravantravels.co.uk
Details of our Caravan Travels in the UK and Europe with help and advice
and
site reports



Do a comparison of the 2 cars on the What Car website and much of the data
shows in some ways a strange similarity: e.g. Power (138 and 134 bhp) and
torque (232 and 232 lb/ft) are virtually identical - so both cars will tow
well. Surprisingly the X-Trail is only 57 mm shorter than the Sorento,
though lower. Then look at the top speed, mpg and acceleration figures and
the X-Trail wins hands down.

I too sold a Discovery to buy an X-Trail and I am exceptionally pleased with
it. If you like driving (with and without the caravan) then the X-Trail is
much more car-like, is nippy and handles really well. If you want a higher
driving position, cumbersome handling and performance which is more
agricultural, then the Kia or Discovery fits the bill.

Bob


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Has anybody in this newsgroup had experience of these vehicles and any
problems? What I'm interested in is niggling faults, garage problems,
anything that has caused discomfort for the owner.

Certainly Paul, I've owned an X-Trail 2.0 Sport since September and
I'm still ecstatically happy with it. I've had no problems with it at all
(although
I guess there's still time :-)
Handles like a dream, well equipped, comfortable and roomy. If I had
any quibbles, I would probably say that the gearbox needs to be worked
a bit and the interior looks like it could scuff up easily. Also, one of my
taller mates finds the headroom not quite good enough! But, I've no regrets
and would definitely buy another.

Depends what your budget is really; I'd say it's good value.

I'd be very interested in hearing what you end up buying!

Cheers, Chris

"Bob Edwards" wrote in message
...
I have just been looking at both the Sorrento and the X-Trail this week
at
the Display in the Shopping Centre at Milton Keynes. Within the next 3
months I want to purchase a replacement tow car and both cars mentioned
would fit the bill and are of a very similar price. I have to say that I
liked the Sorrento it seemed well designed and put together. My concern
is
with the Kia, despite the avalanche of praise it has received is what
happens in the longer term with reliability and values. I suppose you
could
say that buying anything with four wheels on new is a mugs game!!! Out
of
the two I think my choice would be the X-Trail particularly as it now
comes
with an uprated engine of 136hp. It is a smaller vehicle than the
Sorrento
which would suit my wife. I now have to decide whether the X-Trail is
going
to make a better towcar than a Ford Mondeo 130hp diesel as I can acquire
a
new one of the latter at an advantageous price.


David - Milton Keynes
www.caravantravels.co.uk
Details of our Caravan Travels in the UK and Europe with help and advice
and
site reports



Do a comparison of the 2 cars on the What Car website and much of the data
shows in some ways a strange similarity: e.g. Power (138 and 134 bhp) and
torque (232 and 232 lb/ft) are virtually identical - so both cars will tow
well.


True, although the Sorento achieves both max bhp and max torque at lower
revs.

The Sorento is rated to tow 2800kg against the Nissans 2000kg and its
separate chassis, self levelling suspension and low range will all help

Surprisingly the X-Trail is only 57 mm shorter than the Sorento,
though lower.

True it is only 57mm longer, but the 119mm extra width and 149mm extra
height make a real difference, more passenger space and boot space massively
up based on the figures on What Car (several times the volume).

Then look at the top speed, mpg and acceleration figures and
the X-Trail wins hands down.

Thats pushing it a bit - the Sorento is approx 33% heavier than the Nissan
and you would expect something that much bigger and heavier to use a but
more fuel and be a bit slower (if similar engine). The Xtrail returns about
10% or so to the gallon and achieves 112 against the Sorentos 106 - neither
of which can really be described as "winning hands down" in fact given the
Sorentos 33% extra size and weight I would consider that advantage pretty
poor.
Acceleration 0-60 is a bit more of an issue with a 3 second difference, but
"real world" performance is not an issue.


I too sold a Discovery to buy an X-Trail and I am exceptionally pleased
with
it. If you like driving (with and without the caravan) then the X-Trail
is
much more car-like, is nippy and handles really well. If you want a
higher
driving position, cumbersome handling and performance which is more
agricultural, then the Kia or Discovery fits the bill.

Higher driving position, yes - to call the Kia "agricultural" in any sence
is plain stupid (and, yes, I know What Car used that word). The discovery is
agricultural, the kia is nothing like it at all.

Handling is far from the likes of older "agricultural" 4x4's and it was
tuned by Porche, yes - on bad roads the ride is a little harsh but it is
very well controlled. The ride is not the Sorentos best point but on most
roads it is just fine. Handling is well up to the near 200bhp of my 3.5,
and it needs to be vivet the 0-60 of just under 10secs on a vehicle weighing
2 tonnes - I can throw it around with confidence no problems.




Bob


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"PR" wrote
Higher driving position, yes - to call the Kia "agricultural" in any
sence
is plain stupid (and, yes, I know What Car used that word). The
discovery is
agricultural, the kia is nothing like it at all.

Handling is far from the likes of older "agricultural" 4x4's and it
was
tuned by Porche, yes -

Unfortunately neither are anywhere near 'agricultural'

They do not have over 700Nm torque, 200g/kW/h fuel consumption, air
suspended cab, air suspended seat with fore/aft and lateral
suspension, hydraulic/electronic self levelling axle suspension,
radar, CVT with multiple modes, electronic engine management which
interacts with transmission so that at a set engine speed the
accelerator pedal can be converted to a forward speed control; 70dbA
noise level, 500 hour [approximately 20,000 mile] service intervals,
600/65R42 tyres and a big amber beacon.
Wouldn't you prefer one of these to a 'not agricultural' heap? LOL.

Huw


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Do a comparison of the 2 cars on the What Car website and much of the
data
shows in some ways a strange similarity: e.g. Power (138 and 134 bhp)
and
torque (232 and 232 lb/ft) are virtually identical - so both cars will
tow
well.


True, although the Sorento achieves both max bhp and max torque at lower
revs.

Minor difference.

The Sorento is rated to tow 2800kg against the Nissans 2000kg and its
separate chassis, self levelling suspension and low range will all help

Help what - increase the weight?

Surprisingly the X-Trail is only 57 mm shorter than the Sorento,
though lower.

True it is only 57mm longer, but the 119mm extra width and 149mm extra
height make a real difference, more passenger space and boot space
massively
up based on the figures on What Car (several times the volume).

Agree

Then look at the top speed, mpg and acceleration figures and
the X-Trail wins hands down.

Thats pushing it a bit - the Sorento is approx 33% heavier than the Nissan
and you would expect something that much bigger and heavier to use a but
more fuel and be a bit slower (if similar engine). The Xtrail returns
about
10% or so to the gallon and achieves 112 against the Sorentos 106 -
neither
of which can really be described as "winning hands down" in fact given the
Sorentos 33% extra size and weight I would consider that advantage pretty
poor.
Acceleration 0-60 is a bit more of an issue with a 3 second difference,
but
"real world" performance is not an issue.


Now you are trying to twist the arguement to suit yourself. I'm not talking
about efficiency - just look at the FACTS. Fuel consumption, service
intervals, service costs, pence per mile etc etc - the X-Trail is better.


I too sold a Discovery to buy an X-Trail and I am exceptionally pleased
with
it. If you like driving (with and without the caravan) then the X-Trail
is
much more car-like, is nippy and handles really well. If you want a
higher
driving position, cumbersome handling and performance which is more
agricultural, then the Kia or Discovery fits the bill.

Higher driving position, yes - to call the Kia "agricultural" in any sence
is plain stupid (and, yes, I know What Car used that word). The discovery
is
agricultural, the kia is nothing like it at all.



So all the professionals at What Car are wrong and you are right?


Handling is far from the likes of older "agricultural" 4x4's and it was
tuned by Porche, yes - on bad roads the ride is a little harsh but it is
very well controlled. The ride is not the Sorentos best point


Just shot yourself in the foot.
Bob


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"Steve Firth" wrote in message
. ..
Paul Hubbard wrote:

Nissan X Trail
Honda CRV
Honda HRV

None of these is particularly large, indeed I consider the Hondas to
be
cramped and comparable to a Suzuki Vitara. One of the Hondas (HRV)
IIRC
is 2x4 not 4x4

There is one trim model of HRV which is available as a 2x4. Most are
4x4.



and also I think the HRV is no longer available (i.e. s/h
only).

AFAIK the HRV is still current and selling steadily.


Of that particular bunch I'd have a look at the X-Trail.


Have a look at them all. One man's medicine is another man's poison.

Huw



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"Steve Firth" wrote in message
.. .
"Huw" wrote:

There is one trim model of HRV which is available as a 2x4. Most
are
4x4.

Thanks, the other worry on the HRV is that the drive shafts look
like
pencils. Now it maybe that the drive shafts are made out of cunning
Japanese Unobtanium which is much, much stronger than steel. But if
they
aren't, then I'd be worried about towing or off-roading with one.


I am not sure the OP or anyone interested in these vehicles would wish
to do either of these. They are good on rough country roads, farm
lanes and muddy and moderately snowy variations of the above.
Would probably make a good country reps car although it looks a bit
poofy to me. Probably suits a country midwife better than a Morris
1000.

Huw


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