Nissan X-Trail vs diesel rivals: which costs more to drive

The recently launched, third generation model has demonstrated how Nissan’s “Innovation and Excitement for Everyone” brand positioning is shaping its product lineup. Moreover, Nissan, as a brand, continues to drive up the Best Global Brands ranking, thanks to an improved financial and brand performance.

The new X-Trail’s flowing, sexy lines is a departure from its predecessor’s boxy and upright look. At 4.63 meters long, 1.82 meters wide, and 1.695 meters high, the new X-Trail exudes a commanding presence.
And unlike a number of its major competitors here, it is powered by a gasoline engine that can go toe-to-toe with the best sellers in terms of performance and efficiency.

To prove this, Nissan Philippines organized a fuel economy run that used a similar testing method as the Department of Energy last October 2014. The run incorporated both city (Balintawak to the Mall of Asia via Edsa, and Balintawak to the Mall of Asia via Manila, totaling 100 km) and highway (Balintawak to Dinalupihan Exit via Angeles City, totaling 280 km) driving.

The variables employed were quite simple: operating cost is computed by adding daily fuel cost based on a 50-km daily commute (taken from a 2006 AC Nielsen study regarding the daily travel of Filipino workers) and fuel spending for 100,000 km plus maintenance cost for 100,000 km.

Fuel price was pegged on the January 2015 price of Shell V-Power Nitro+ (P37.50) and Shell V-Power Nitro+ Diesel (P29.50).

Consumption cost
When we compare the X-Trails fuel consumption against medium sized diesel 4×2 competitors (A and B), the 4×2 gasoline variant of the X-Trail posted a P 2.34 cost per km versus A:  P2.21 and P 2.14; while its daily cost is P 116.90 versus A: P110.57 and P 106.96; its monthly cost is P 3,506.85 versus A: P 3,317.09 and B: P 3,208.85. The yearly cost of fuel is estimated at P 42,082.29 versus A: P 39,805.10 and P 38,506.16 and the 100,000 km fuel cost for the X-Trail is P 233,790.52 versus A: P 221,139.43 and P 2123,923.13.

The 4×4 variant of the X-Trail also posted admirable figures garnering a P2.61 cost per km, P 130.66 daily cost, P 3,919.86 monthly fuel cost, posting a P 47,038.33 yearly cost and P261,324.04 100,000 km cost.

The figures show that the X-Trail can compete with its medium sized diesel competitors. It is also important to state that the X-Trail achieved better mileage than its rivals. However, the price difference between gasoline and diesel lowered the cost of running the competitors.

In terms of estimated cost of maintenance, the new X-Trail 2.0-liter CVT variant posted a P62,582 bill after 100,000 km, while the new X-Trail 2.5-liter CVT variant posted a P70,524 bill after 100,000 km.
The comparable units of its competitors (both diesel- and gasoline-powered) already accumulated an almost or over P100,000 bill after running for 100,000 km.

While the Nissan X-Trail wears comparable price tags (the 2.0-liter 4×2 variant costs P1.375 million, while the 2.5-liter 4×4 variant costs P1.58 million), its gasoline engines and CVT transmissions perform differently from competition.

And while paper pitching one against the other seems like a fair thing to do, in the real world, there is one clear winner: the new X-Trail brings with it a boatload more of features and refinement, while its operating cost is better if not comparable to its segment’s best selling models.