In the interests of lowering CO₂ emissions and responsible motoring we could think the UK public are moving away from buying SUVs, soft off-roaders, multi-purpose or 4x4 vehicles, call them what you will. 

However official sales figures issued last week by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that sales of such vehicles in October 2007 were 12,116 units, 9.6 per cent higher than October last year.
This is the fourth consecutive month of increased sales for multi-purpose vehicles in the UK. Sales for the first 10 months of this year were 964 vehicles more than in the same period in 2006 and the segment is still the fourth largest in the UK’s new car market. Multi-purpose new vehicle registrations year to date are 154,105 units, despite the anti 4x4 propaganda, higher fuel costs and the threat of even higher road taxation for some larger models.
Continuing customer demand and the launch of new models is keeping this sector buoyant. But some manufacturers, fearful that the boom might end, have marketed new models of this type by suggesting they are no larger, or use more fuel or emit more CO₂ emissions than conventional estate cars. 

Nissan has a huge range of models with four wheel drive, everything from the new X-Trail - a well respected compact SUV, to the spacious Murano V6 engined 4x4 on-roader with some off road capabilities, to the mid sized five or seven seat Pathfinder 4x4s, to the huge heavyweight Patrol tough off-roaders. 

In addition they have their best selling King and Double Cab Navara pick-ups andeven their highly rated Qashqai hatchback range has some 4x4 models in it.
However Nissan is not dependent on 4x4s. Last year for the first ten months of the year these vehicles represented 30.1% of their total UIK sales, around 23,400 vehicles. For the first ten months of this year their 4x4s represent 25.6% of total sales.
Nissan is big, but not too big in the 4x4 market, and importantly not too dependent. Nissan Motor (GB) Limited said this week no more 4x4 additions are planned for their model range.
This week Nissan has been officially launching their all-new X-Trail and the revised 2008 model year Navara Pick-Up and Pathfinder 4x4 ranges.
The compact X-Trail traditionally accounts for around 10,000 sales in the UK each year, the Pathfinder around 2,700 sales and the Navara Pick-Up range around 12,000 registrations. There are no imminent changes for the Nissan Patrol and Murano models.
It is likely the Navara will become the UK’s number one selling pick-up range by the end of this year. If so it will remove the Mitsubishi L200 models from the top spot, a position they have held for many years.
Whilst the multi-purpose/SUV vehicle sector is at least holding its own for sales, the British public, particularly company car users, are loosing interest in car type pick-ups with sales in this sector falling by 28 per cent year to date. This is due in part to the less favourable changes in company car taxation. However businesses still love them as being technically a commercial vehicle the VAT element of the price can generally be reclaimed from the Treasury.
Labelled a compact SUV, but in reality it is more medium sized the five-seater, the Nissan X-Trail has found favour with country and town dwellers, private and business car users.
It sells against the Land Rover Freelander, the Honda CR-V, Vauxhall Antara, Peugeot 4007, Citroen C-Crosser, Mitsubishi Outlander, Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota TAV4, to name but a few.
Next to the Freelander it has probably been the best performer both on and off-road and has proved to be very durable even when given workhorse duties with country folk.
The all-new X-Trail in styling terms is an evolution of the previous model, a fresh but bland look, more exterior glitzy bright-work, but under the skin it is all new with a new chassis and body design. The extended model range has four engine options, three of them new to X-Trail, and there is also a new 4x4 all-mode drive-train. Prices now start at £18,795 and climb to £26,720. These are considerably higher than the previous generation models which ranged from £16,995 to £23,395, but remain competitive with the opposition in this sector.
The new X-Trail has four engine options, 2.0 and 2.5-litre petrol units and two 2.0-litre dCi turbodiesel engines, one with 150PS power output and the other with 173PS. Automatic transmission options, CVT continuously variable type for the two petrol engines and a conventional torque converter type for the 150PS dCi models are available. All manual transmission variants have a six-speed gearbox.
All models have Nissan’s ‘smart’ all-mode 4x4 system which operates in two-wheel or four-wheel drive but higher grade versions gain the new 4x4-i intelligent two and four-wheel drive system which incorporates an electronic stability programme, uphill start support and downhill drive support. This is very clever and simple to use and really does work exceptionally well off-road.

The ‘lifestyle’ and ‘leisure pursuits’ marketing focus for X-Trail comes through with the new model line-up and Trek, Sport and Aventura are the core grades but then there are model upgrades with names like Sport Expedition, Sport Expedition Extreme, Aventura Explorer and Aventura Explorer Extreme.
Most X-Trail customers, in common with other SUV model ranges, will choose diesel engines because of their better fuel economy and superior all-round driving performance.
The likely best selling model is the 2.0 dCi 150 Sport with a manual transmission priced at £21,495. But during the media launch I tried the same vehicle but with the added Sport Expedition package and this topped the price up to £23,195 because of the £1,700 DVD satellite navigation, rear parking camera and intelligent key system. Metallic paint would add a further £450 to the final price.
Trek, the cheapest model in the range is not short on equipment with Bluetooth phone connectivity, alloy wheels, climate control air conditioning, driver, passenger and side airbags and a stereo radio/CD player with four speakers and the specification gets higher the further up the range you go.
For instance my test model had over and above the items listed, the 4x4-i intelligent system, larger alloy wheels, front fog lights, cruise control, panoramic glass sunroof, privacy glass, leather steering wheel, ski hatch in the rear seats, upgrade CD player, automatic headlamps and wipers, roof rails, power windows front and rear, split level load area floor and a trip computer.
Not only has the specification increased, the number of models has gone up. The overall length of the vehicle has increased as well by 175mm to 4,630mm and much of this extra length can be found in the luggage area. With the rear three position seat in place the old X-Trail’s load capacity was 410-litres, now it is 603-litres making it much more user-friendly.
Fold down the rear seats and the total load area is 1,649-litres and this rises still further if the top deck of the rear floor is removed to 1,773-litres. The twin deck rear floor is a good idea to store fragile or valuable items out of site and away from possible damage, but if in place it does mean heavier items have to be lifted higher to get them into the vehicle.
For towing this particular X-Trail model has a maximum braked towing weight of 2,000kg and the 173PS diesel model has a maximum towing weight of 2,200kg.
Overall the new X-Trail is better equipped and looks as though it is finished to a much higher quality inside the vehicle. The headroom is a little restricted because of the sunroof. The instruments and controls are better positioned.
On and off-road the vehicle performed really well and the off-road performance was very impressive. This is no lightweight performer and next to the Freelander has to be the best in its compact SUV sector when it comes to straying from tarmac, tracks or grassy slopes.
On the road the ride is a little soft but most users will enjoy the more comfortable and compliant performance. However the slightly softer settings for the new suspension does mean bodyroll is evident and the vehicle feels nose heavy under braking or during brisk cornering. The seats are comfortable, but again a little soft.
Fuel economy is very good, 39.8mpg is the official average figure, and my test car returned 40.6mpg for motorway, town and country road driving. The CO₂ emissions are 190g/km which puts it in vehicle excise duty Band F at £205 a year.

Top speed is117mph and 0-62mph takes 11.2 seconds.
I also tried the 173PS 2.0-litre cDi turbodiesel with intercooler engine and yes the extra power will be appreciated by the company car drivers who cover higher mileages up and down motorways.
The fuel economy is still good at 38.2mpg, it has the same Band F tax rating, but most users will be happy to stick with the 150PS unit.

Engine/transmission: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel, 150PS, 320Nm of torque, 6-speed manual, 4x4-i all mode intelligent two or four wheel drive.
Performance: 117mph, 0-62mph 11.2 seconds, 40.6mpg, CO₂ 190g/km, VED Band F £250.
Length: 4,630mm. Braked towing capacity: 2,000kg.
Insurance group: 13E.
For
Significant improvement in refinement, comfort, interior design, quality and instrument layout, much improved load area space, strong engine performance, clever 4x4 system, economical, good off-road.
Against
Spongy handling and soft ride.

© Miles Better News Agency