SUVs are big business in South Africa, and why not? With our open spaces, many game parks and mountains to explore, different road surfaces (some rather potholed for extra excitement) and generally great scenery best viewed from the elevated seating offered by these vehicles, it’s easy to fathom their appeal. Another reason for the popularity is the status symbol effect that has become entrenched in our psyche, and so we tend to be offered everything the manufacturers have in their respective arsenals.
What we have here are not the ostentatious status grabbers, but two rival soft-roaders from Japan. Honda’s CR-V is a long-time favourite with the CAR team and a multiple Top 12 winner, and has just received a minor mid-life refreshening. It faces one of South Africa’s favourites, the Nissan X-Trail, which itself has recently been given not so much a nip-and-tuck as a “repositioning” to make it a better value-for-money prospect. Have the changes affected their appeal?
DESIGN & PACKAGING
Honda CR-V 16
Nissan X-Trail 14
The Honda has an unusual snout and this facelifted version features a bigger upper grille together with a larger Honda emblem that, collectively, are slightly easier on the eye. But while the lower bodywork bulges on the Honda are supposed to reasupply a macho touch, they look somewhat out of place on this vehicle. The CR-V comes standard with 17-inch wheels shod with 225/65 rubber, but our test car featured optional 18-inch wheels with 225/60 tyres. These are an R8 000 option.
The second-generation X-Trail looks very much like the previous model and is therefore familiar and still quite macho, which is how many motorists prefer their 4x4s. The bonnet is long and square, so you can see the front of the vehicle from the driver’s seat. Then again, the square, chiseled lines of the Nissan are not enhanced by the oversized roof rails. Some testers were of the opinion that the X-Trail, notwithstanding its relative newness, was starting to look long-in-the-tooth. The X-Trail rides on 17-inch wheels wrapped in 215/60 rubber.
The Honda wins hands down when it comes to interior packaging design, particularly in the rear where the seats are reach- and rake- adjustable with retractable headrests and plenty of head- and legroom. The X-Trail’s rear seating has barely sufficient legroom for taller adults and only just enough headroom, partly as a result of the vast sunroof. To aid comfort, Nissan has popped in some air vents for rear seat occupants.
Depending on whether it is in maximum rear legroom or maximum boot space mode, the CR-V’s luggage area extends from 336 to 448 dm³ simply by sliding the rear bench. Fold the rear seats down and total utility space is an impressive 1 320 dm³. The Nissan’s boot is big (456 dm³) even though it doesn’t offer sliding rear seats. Total utility space is 1 256 dm³ – slightly smaller than the Honda’s.
Both vehicles have unusual features, apparent upon opening the hatches. The CR-V has a mid-height shelf, handy for packing parcels into both sections or for separating larger items. The X-Trail has a raised floor with a compartment on the left and a pull-out tray on the right for stashing items such as wet towels etc. Because the plastic is smooth (easy to clean), loose items tend to move around noisily, so owners may want to insert a rubber mat to provide some grip and insulation. Retractable parcel shelves can be found on both vehicles.
Spare wheels are even more important on SUVs than on other vehicles since off-roading can be hard on tyres, and punctures are more common. Travelling to farfl ung destinations in search of recreation can also diminish the chances of getting service and spares when in trouble. So it is a relief to observe that both these models offer full-size spare wheels. The Honda provides an alloy under the boot board, whereas the Nissan has a full-size steel wheel, hidden under the raised floor and pull-out tray. A screwdriver is needed to prise away a clip in order to remove all the plastic trim panels to get to the spare.
COMFORT & FEATURES
Honda CR-V 17
Nissan X-Trail 16
Seating in the Honda scores high on comfort with soft, pleated leather covering well proportioned front seats. Upper body support is particularly good. Retractable inner armrests add to the comfort, as does a tilt function (electric) that reclines both the cushion and backrest simultaneously. The Nissan also scores well for comfort, but not quite to Honda’s standard. As mentioned before, the rear seats can slide on the Honda, not the Nissan, and this has a particularly big impact on rear seat comfort, because the X-Trail’s passenger space is noticeably smaller. However, the Nissan’s front passenger seat boasts electric adjustment, which is not provided on the Honda.
Both offer 6-CD front-loading audio systems. The Nissan has Bluetooth hands-free fitted as standard, whereas the Honda only has this feature when specified with the optional Garmin navigation package, costing about R4 600 extra. Steering wheel-mounted controls are supplied on both for hands-on tweaking of audio systems and cruise control. Those in the Nissan feature handy bar controls operated by pushing upwards or downwards with your thumb or forefinger. To nitpick, we think it would have been ergonomically better to have positioned the volume control buttons higher up on the wheel, since they are likely to be used the most, instead of the current positioning low down on the centre boss. The CR-V uses rocker switches. Also fitted to the Honda’s wheel is a button to switch through the trip computer functions. The Nissan has a push knob between the instruments for flicking through its trip computer functions and an “i” button on the steering wheel for added convenience.
Instrumentation shows a similar, conventional layout for both, with the Honda scoring higher with clearer lettering and larger liquid crystal displays as opposed to the Nissan’s amber backlighting and black liquid crystal display. The Honda also has an elegant, soft blue ring of light around the dials. The instrument binnacle cowl of the X-Trail does not extend sufficiently to avoid sunlight reflections.
Both have standard sunroofs, the Nissan’s much larger and ideal for star-gazing. Only problem is that the X-Trail’s equally huge sunscreen is not powered, so if there is no help on board, the driver must stretch back to grab it for closing should the glare become uncomfortable. The fully-open stage is best left for slower speeds, as wind buffeting becomes problematic at higher velocities.
RIDE, HANDLING & BRAKING
Honda CR-V 17
Nissan X-Trail 17
This is another close-call category, with both providing superior ride qualities and soaking up bumps admirably. The X-Trail has more suspension travel and therefore body roll and nosedive are evident. The CR-V, by comparison, simply does the soaking-up while still keeping its body level and focused. On the subject of noise, those roof rails on the X-Trail do add to the total noise level caused by wind drag.
Steering sees hydraulic assistance on the Honda and electric on the Nissan. In general we prefer hydraulic but many manufacturers are going the electric route in their never-ending quest to save as many drops of fuel as possible. The Honda has a weightier action, perhaps too heavy for some, that gives a better feel of what’s happening at the wheels. The Nissan’s steering is lighter and also has a touch more turns lock to lock at 3,2 as opposed to 3,0 for the Honda.
The combination of its more communicative steering and firmer suspension makes the CR-V the more car-like vehicle to drive. This, of course, does have some effect on rough road ability, with the Honda’s firmness on poor surfaces being a negative, compared with the more compliant suspension on the Nissan. The Nissan proved easy-going for parking and manoeuvring, but with a slightly springy feel typical of electric steering assistance. Still, the overall impression is quite favourable and suits the laid back cruising ability of the X-Trail.
Braking performance was practically identical for both contestants with the X-Trail dipping its nose more due to the softer suspension. This did not affect stopping times.
Off-road the Nissan will penetrate further than the Honda by virtue of its more comprehensive all-wheel drive system provided the inclines and declines are not too steep. Even though the Honda has more substantial front and rear overhangs, surprisingly it boasts better approach and departure angles. The Nissan has the higher ground clearance, though (203 mm vs 170 mm).
PERFORMANCE
Honda CR-V 14
Nissan X-Trail 16
As far as numbers go, the two vehicles have equal power outputs of 110 kW at 4 000 r/min and pretty close maximum torque peaks of 330 for the Nissan and 350 for the Honda (both at 2 000 r/min). The Nissan is 53 kg heavier, yet has a defi nitive edge in acceleration, probably due to the extra gear ratio helping keep power “on the boil”. The Honda has slightly more torque converter slip, also slowing initial acceleration. The Honda requires 11,48 seconds to get to 100 km/h and has a 187 km/h top speed, compared with the Nissan’s fi gures of 10,86 and 188.
The Nissan has a sequential shift option, so you can choose your ratios. Sixth gear is very clearly an overdrive and is only selected around the 90 to 100 km/h mark. Five gears may seem old-fashioned to some, but the Honda copes perfectly well with its ratios and doesn’t need to change down so often. Even so, it is still geared for higher speeds than the Nissan.
A carry-over from the previous generation is a button on the right of the gear lever that can be used to cut out top gear for use while towing or climbing hills where the ’box might hunt for a suitable ratio. This now cuts out both fourth and fi fth gears, dropping you to third. Although most will not normally use this function, it does add a touch of sportiness by allowing you to use some engine braking when slowing down or when cornering. Of course, one can still use the lever to engage fi rst and second for slow off-road work. Thereafter it’s either drive or third if the button is depressed. What helps when using this function is the positioning of the lever in the lower facia section where it falls easily to hand. However, it does sit very close to the air-con controls, but this is only a problem when in “park”.
All in all, the Nissan has the more versatile gearbox. Also in the X-Trail’s favour is selectable drive via the rotary switch that allows a choice of front-wheel drive, auto or 4×4 lock. Auto is the usual choice, where wheel traction will be monitored and drive delivered to the rear wheels when slip is detected. The Honda makes the decisions for you, which most non-technical folk might prefer. Overtaking and sprint acceleration is quicker in the X-Trail.
The CR-V’s engine was noticeably quieter than that of the X-Trail, both at idle and on the move and this was confi rmed by our sound level meter. While some don’t mind the distinctive sound of a diesel, others appreciate maximum quietness, so here the nod goes to CR-V.
FUEL ECONOMY
Honda CR-V 15
Nissan X-Trail 14
The more modern Honda engine is the more economical (9,0 vs 9,72 litres/100 km) but the CR-V has a lower range courtesy of seven fewer litres capacity in its fuel tank (58 versus the 65 litres). Respective tank ranges are 644 km for Honda and 669 km for the Nissan.
VALUE FOR MONEY
Honda CR-V (R435 400) 15
Nissan X-Trail (R418 900) 14
The Honda has a longer service plan of five years compared to the Nissan’s three, although both mileage limits are 90 000 km. The Honda carries a price tag that is R16 500 dearer than the Nissan. A long list of standard features is offered, from leather seating to sunroofs and electric seat adjustment. But the Honda does have a few things the Nissan doesn’t, including autoon headlamps and wipers, headlamp washers, park assist and the option of a navigation system.
The trim and instrumentation quality favour the Honda, while on-road performance favours the Nissan. Ride quality and noise levels swing the scales back Honda’s way, but then again there is a small price premium to pay. Resale should be fair for both, perhaps favouring the CR-V, but there are a lot of X-Trails around too, so spares should be easy to come by, including second-hand parts should you need to save cash after a mishap. For all these reasons, we rate them equal.
VERDICT
Honda CR-V 16
Nissan X-Trail 15
In an increasingly overpopulated compact SUV segment the Nissan X-Trail comes across as one that sticks more closely to the original recipe – a vehicle that offers on-road comfort and, courtesy of switchable allwheel drive, the ability to “rough it” when required. The Honda, on the other hand verges towards the so-called crossover camp, being more a family hold-all with a raised suspension. As a result of this difference in design approach, a lot of buyers will find making a decision quite simple.
However, if you don’t find the matter as clear-cut as that, there are a few other related points of difference that could help. To the Nissan’s advantage is its price, its rough road comfort and full all-wheel drive system. The Honda counters with significantly more space, better onroad handling and slightly more spec.
The extra R16 500 that one is asked to pay for the Honda sounds like a lot, but it’s a premium of just 0,4 per cent so shouldn’t deter most potential customers. And so the overall feeling of the team is that the Honda CR-V’s overall package elevates it a notch above the Nissan X-Trail.
