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Featured

Tata Nexon Continues To Dominate The Subcompact SUV Sales In December 2023

Save for the Tata Nexon and Renault Kiger, all different SUVs recorded a decline in month-on-month (MoM) gross sales

Tata Nexon, Hyundai Venue, Maruti Brezza

The subcompact SUV gross sales figures for December 2023 revealed that the general MoM demand of the section went down by over 15.85 %. Leading the charts are sub-4m SUVs from Tata, Maruti, and Hyundai with over 10,000 unit gross sales every. Let’s take a look on the detailed gross sales report for every SUV within the desk under.

Sub-compact SUVs & crossovers
 

December 2023

November 2023

MoM Growth

Market share present(%)

Market share (% final 12 months)

YoY mkt share (%)

Average gross sales (6 months)

Tata Nexon

15284

14916

2.46

33.89

26.04

7.85

13559

Maruti Brezza

12844

13393

-4.09

28.48

24.2

4.28

14356

Hyundai Venue

10383

11180

-7.12

23.02

17.9

5.12

11264

Mahindra XUV300

3550

4673

-24.03

7.87

10.48

-2.61

4853

Nissan Magnite

2150

2454

-12.38

4.76

4.36

0.4

2452

Renault Kiger

865

530

63.2

1.91

4.52

-2.61

1040

Kia Sonet

10

6433

-99.84

0.02

12.47

-12.45

5666

Total

45086

53579

-15.85

99.95

      

Key Takeaways

Tata nexon

  • The Tata Nexon crossed the gross sales mark of 15,000 items in December 2023 and it not solely maintained its high place within the subcompact SUV gross sales chart, but it surely was additionally the best-selling automotive in India final month. Tata’s just lately facelifted subcompact SUV witnessed a MoM gross sales development of about 2.5 % final month. Please word that these figures embrace the gross sales of each Tata Nexon and Tata Nexon EV.

  • Maruti Brezza was the second best-selling sub-4m in December 2023, identical because the earlier month. However, it confronted an MoM lack of over 4 %, which was greater than 1,500 items fewer than its common gross sales of the final six montHyundai Venue

  • The Hyundai Venue additionally skilled a drop in MoM demand with almost 800 fewer gross sales. It nonetheless managed to cross the ten,000 unit gross sales mark in December 2023.

  • The subsequent best-selling mannequin of the section was the Mahindra XUV300, crossing over 3,500 unit gross sales. The subcompact SUV confronted a MoM decline of over 24 % in December 2023 gross sales. The XUV300 can also be set to endure a makeover in 2024, and up to date spy pictures additionally reveal new options for the facelifted SUV.

Also Check Out: Facelifted Kia Sonet To Be Launched In India On This Date

Nissan Magnite AMT

  • The Nissan Magnite crossed the gross sales mark of two,000 items in December 2023 registering a decline of greater than 12 % in month-to-month gross sales. The Renault Kiger however has not crossed 1,000 unit gross sales final month, nevertheless it nonetheless registered a MoM development of 63 %.

  • The Kia Sonet’s figures for December 2023 replicate the truth that the sub-4m SUV is about to enter the market in January 2024. As such, the older mannequin’s manufacturing is stopped as soon as pending orders are accomplished.

Read More on : Nexon AMT

Featured

These Were The Best-selling Compact And Mid-Size Hatchbacks In October 2023


Except for the Tata Tiago, all other hatchbacks in the list have shown positive growth compared to the previous month

Wagon R, Grand i10 Nios, Tiago

The compact and mid-size hatchback segment remains highly popular, and based on October 2023 sales, Maruti Suzuki continues to lead the market. The Maruti Wagon R and Maruti Swift were the top-selling hatchbacks last month. This report presents the sales data for both midsize and compact hatchbacks. Let’s delve into the detailed sales report.

Models

October 2023

October 2022

September 2023

Maruti Wagon R

22,080

17,945

16,250

Maruti Swift

20,598

17,231

14,703

Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

6,552

8,855

5,223

Tata Tiago

5,356

7,187

6,789

Maruti Celerio

4,317

4,296

3,246

Maruti Ignis

2,374

4,743

2,056

Key Takeaways

Maruti Wagon R Front

  • The top-selling cars in October 2023, the  Maruti Wagon R and Maruti Swift, are the most popular hatchbacks in the country by a significant margin. Both achieved monthly sales of over 20,000 units, showing notable improvement in both month-on-month (MoM) and year-on-year (YoY) aspects. 

  • The Wagon R alone surpassed the combined sales of Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, Tata Tiago, Maruti Celerio, and Maruti Ignis. Meanwhile, the Swift is expected to receive a major update next year, as it has already been seen testing in India.

2023 Hyundai Grand i10 Nios

  • The next best-selling hatchback on the list, the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios, secured the third position on the sales chart with over 6,500 units sold. While the Hyundai hatchback experienced a positive Month-on-Month (MoM) growth, its year-on-year (YoY) sales declined by 26 percent. It appears to be losing ground to the new Hyundai Exter, which shares the same underpinnings but features SUV-like proportions.

Also Check Out: MG Hector And Hector Plus Festive Discounts Come To An End, Still More Affordable Than Before

Tata Tiago

  • The Tata Tiago is the only hatchback in the list that has experienced declines in both MoM and YoY sales. Tata sold over 5,300 units of the Tiago in October 2023. Note that these figures also include the sales of the Tata Tiago EV.

  • The Maruti Celerio secured the fifth spot in the sales table by surpassing 4,300 unit sales in October 2023. The Celerio saw positive growth in both MoM and YoY sales. 

Also Check Out: Toyota’s Version Of The Maruti Fronx Is Likely To Launch Before April 2024

  • While Maruti Ignis showed a 15 percent MoM growth in October 2023, its YoY sales decreased by 50 percent. It occupied the last spot in the sales table with around 2,300 unit sales last month. This aged hatchback is usually available with attractive discounts if you’re interested in getting one.

Read More on : Maruti Wagon R on road price

Featured

Get Benefits Of Over 90,000 On Honda Cars This Diwali


The special editions of both the sedans are also available with benefits

Honda City & Honda Amaze

  • Customers can save up to Rs 90,598 on the Honda City.

  • Benefits of over Rs 72,000 are being offered with the Honda Amaze.

  • The special edition of both sedans comes with special benefits.

  • All offers are valid till the end of November.

If you are planning to buy a Honda car this Diwali, the automaker is offering several benefits on both of its sedan models: the Honda City and the Honda Amaze. Recently introduced special edition variants of both sedans can also be purchased with benefits. However, the hybrid version of the City and the recently launched Honda Elevate don’t come with any discounts. Let’s have a look at the model-wise offer details.

Fifth-gen City

Honda City

Offers

Regular Variants

Elegant Edition

Cash Discount

Up to Rs 25,000

Up to Rs 40,000 (Special edition benefit)

Free Accessories (Optional)

Up to Rs 26,947

N.A.

Loyalty Bonus

Up to Rs 4,000

Up to Rs 4,000

Honda Car Exchange Bonus

Up to Rs 6,000

Up to Rs 6,000

Exchange Bonus

Up to Rs 15,000

Up to Rs 10,000

Corporate Discount

Up to Rs 5,000

N.A.

Special Corporate Discount

Up to Rs 20,000

N.A.

Extended Warranty (4th & 5th year)

Rs 13,651 (VX and ZX only)

N.A.

Maximum Benefits

Up to Rs 90,598

Up to Rs 60,000

  • Customers can choose between a cash discount or the optional free accessories worth. 

  • The City is also being offered with an exchange bonus while existing Honda customers can also avail an additional Honda car exchange bonus as well as a loyalty bonus.

  • The Elegant edition on the other hand comes with a special edition discount of Rs 40,000. However, it doesn’t get corporate and special corporate discounts.

  • The exchange bonus on this special edition of the compact sedan reduces to Rs 10,000.

  • The fifth-gen Honda City is priced from Rs 11.63 lakh to Rs 16.11 lakh.

Amaze

Honda Amaze

Offers

S MT

Other Variants

Elite Edition

Cash Discount

Up to Rs 25,000

Up to Rs 15,000

Up to Rs 30,000 (Special edition benefit)

Free Accessories (Optional)

Up to Rs 30,245

Up to Rs 18,148

N.A.

Loyalty Bonus

Up to Rs 4,000

Rs 4,000

Up to Rs 4,000

Exchange Bonus

Up to Rs 15,000

Rs 15,000

Up to Rs 10,000

Corporate Discount

Up to 3,000

Rs 3,000

Up to Rs 3,000

Special Corporate Discount

Up to Rs 20,000

Rs 20,000

N.A.

Maximum Benefits

Up to Rs 72,245

Up to Rs 60,148

Up to Rs 47,000

  • The S MT variants of the Honda Amaze get the highest benefits this November. Similar to the Honda City, customers have the option to choose optional free accessories instead of receiving a cash discount.

  • The cash discount for other variants reduces to Rs 15,000  while customers can opt for free accessories worth Rs 18,148. 

  • New Honda customers can avail the exchange bonus on the Amaze while existing Honda customers can also get a loyalty bonus. Although the automaker isn’t offering a Honda car exchange bonus with the Amaze.

  • The recently introduced Elite edition of the subcompact sedan comes with a special edition benefit worth Rs 30,000.

  • Exchange bonus for the special edition of the Amaze reduces to Rs 10,000. The Elite edition of the sedan comes with a corporate discount, but it still misses out on a special corporate discount which is offered with regular variants of the Amaze.

Also Check Out: These 7 SUVs Offer The Highest Discounts This Diwali

Note

  • The offers mentioned above may vary depending on the city and state, please contact your nearest Honda dealership for further details.

  • All prices are ex-showroom Delhi

Read More on : Amaze on road price

News

Take A Moment To Appreciate The Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 30th Anniversario 916

Ducati likes to save something special for EICMA each year, and 2023 is no exception. That’s why, on November 7, 2023, the team from Borgo Panigale introduced the limited-edition Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 30th Anniversario 916.  

Channeling the spirit of the Massimo Tamburini-designed 916 and adding an exclusive livery by Centro Stile Ducati that recalls Carl Fogarty’s 1999 World Superbike championship win is a sure recipe for a mesmerizing machine. At the same time, it’s clear that CSD wanted to keep things modern while paying tribute to the icon—not overstepping those 30 years completely. While there’s no mistaking the influences that informed these graphics, there’s also no doubt that they’re from 2023. 

Just 500 of these limited-edition Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 30th Anniversario 916 bikes will ever be made. Each will be numbered and will also come with special goodies including a certificate of authenticity and a special bike cover. Those are bonuses, though—what you really want to know about are all the sweet performance components on this exclusive limited-edition machine. 


2024 Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 30th Anniversario 916 - Right Side

36 Photos

Carbon Fiber Everywhere, As Far as the Eye Can See 

OK, we might be exaggerating slightly, but there’s a lot of carbon fiber on this bike. You’ll find carbon fiber air ducts on the front brakes, for a start. You’ll also find a carbon fiber heat shield on the exhaust, carbon fiber wings, a carbon fiber mudguard, carbon fiber dry clutch cover, and even five-spoke carbon fiber wheels.  

Remember how the Panigale V4 S has those sweet Marchesini forged wheels? These carbon fiber wheels are a full three pounds lighter than those. They’re also seven and a half pounds lighter than the wheels found on the standard Panigale V4. Because of this, Ducati says that the moment of inertia is reduced by 26 percent up front and 46 percent in the rear—things you’ll probably appreciate if you take this beast to the track. 

More Goodies 

2024 Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 30th Anniversario 916 - Brembo Stylema R Caliper Closeup

The front brake setup consists of a pair of Brembo Stylema R calipers, fitted with the aforementioned carbon fiber cooling ducts. You’ll also find a Brembo MCS master cylinder with a remote adjuster, so you can adjust on the fly and not need to stop—or even to bring any tools.  

The Panigale V4 SP2 30th Anniversario 916 also comes with an STM-EVO dry clutch. Mechanical engine braking can be adjusted if you change the secondary spring—and there’s also an open clutch cover (included in the race kit that comes with this bike) for track use only, so you can appreciate the universal call of the true Ducatisti. 

Adjustable billet aluminum foot pegs, a standard up and down quickshifter, and the Ducati Data Analyser+ system all come standard as well. 

The race kit that comes with each Panigale V4 SP2 30th Anniversario 916 comes with billet aluminum caps to sit in place of the rearview mirrors when you take them off; a number plate holder remover kit; the open clutch cover; and that Ducati Data Analyser+ system. 

Pricing and Availability 

2024 Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 30th Anniversario 916 - Clutch Closeup

The Ducati Panigale V4 SP2 30th Anniverseario 916 will be available Ducati dealerships worldwide beginning in March 2024—but only until all 500 have sold.  

Pricing will vary by region, as with all of Ducati’s models that it sells worldwide. In the US, MSRP is $45,995. In Canada, the MSRP is $53,995 CDN. 

VauxhallUk

VAN DRIVERS COULD SAVE NEARLY £150 PER MONTH BY SWITCHING TO AN ELECTRIC VAUXHALL WITH NEW STELLANTIS E-LCV GRANT

  • Van drivers in the expanded London Ultra Low Emission Zone could save nearly £150 per month by making their next van an electric Vauxhall, instead of a diesel van
  • Vauxhall Combo Electric and Vauxhall Vivaro Electric available with £2,500 Stellantis e-LCV (electric light commercial vehicle) Grant
  • e-LCV Grant is on top of existing government grant for electric vans and ULEZ van scrappage scheme, offering potential savings of up to £17,000 on a new electric van
  • Offer includes a wallbox installed at home for no extra cost*
  • Customers will also receive £400 credit on an Octopus Electroverse card, providing up to 2,500 miles of free public charging from over 500,000 chargers across the UK and Europe**
  • Offer available now on all purchase and lease options, on select stock

Van drivers in the expanded London Ultra Low Emission Zone could save nearly £150 per month by switching from a diesel van to a fully electric Vauxhall Vivaro Electric with the new Stellantis e-LCV Grant.

The Stellantis e-LCV Grant offers customers a £2,500 incentive on small and medium electric vans, including the Vauxhall Combo Electric and Vauxhall Vivaro Electric. This is on top of the existing government grant for electric vans, worth up to £5,000. Businesses and sole traders operating in the recently expanded London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) can also apply for up to £9,500 to scrap a non-compliant van and replace it with an electric model – meaning customers could enjoy up to £17,000 off a new electric van.

The Stellantis e-LCV Grant also includes a free home wallbox installation* and £400 credit on an Octopus Electroverse card, delivering up to 2,500 miles of public charging from over 500,000 chargers across the UK and Europe**. This contributes to a total cost of ownership for a new Vauxhall Vivaro Electric of just £403.23 per month when factoring in the cost of travelling into the ULEZ and Congestion Charge zones – representing a saving of £145 per month compared to a new diesel Vivaro. Even drivers not initially looking to replace their current van could benefit from zero-emissions-in-use driving and the latest features without any extra outlay by upgrading to a Vivaro Electric (based on an old Euro-5 diesel van).

James Taylor, Managing Director, Vauxhall, said: “With £2,500 off a new Vauxhall Combo Electric or Vivaro Electric alongside existing government grants, it’s an ideal time to switch to an electric van. For van drivers affected by the recent expansion of the London ULEZ, going electric offers significant financial savings. As the UK’s best-selling e-LCV manufacturer, Vauxhall is committed to electrifying Britain’s businesses.”

Vauxhall has been the UK’s best-selling electric van manufacturer for the past two years and continues to lead the sales charts so far in 2023. More than one-in-four electric vans sold in the UK year-to-date has been a Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, making it the UK’s best-selling e-LCV (according to the latest SMMT registration figures***). Vauxhall is one of few brands to offer a fully electric variant across its entire LCV line-up.

The free home wallbox available alongside the e-LCV Grant will be supplied by Ohme or Free2Move eSolutions (subject to availability) and is compatible with the MyVauxhall app. The wallbox installation is managed by Octopus, with customers also able to benefit from an optional Octopus energy tariff. If a customer already has a wallbox installed, they will instead receive a £750+VAT Customer Deposit Contribution towards their new van.

The e-LCV Grant is available on all purchase and lease options, including outright purchase, conditional sale/hire purchase, Finance Lease or Business Contract Hire through Leasys, ensuring all customers making the switch to electric can benefit.

The offer applies to orders, on stock vehicles, from today (02/10/2023) until and including 31/12/2023.

* Standard home installation according to the installer’s guidelines. Extra costs will be applicable where non-standard install material/practices are required, such as additional cabling.

** Based on WLTP test figures and average public charging costs across networks which can be accessed using Octopus Electroverse card.

*** SMMT data. August 2023 YTD.

Consoles, News

Atari is Releasing a Long-Lost Console Game that Resurfaced after 30 Years

Atari is coming out with “Save Mary,” the latest addition to their limited-edition Atari XP series featuring actual 2600 cartridges. These cartridges are newly produced in the United States using high-quality materials and rigorous manufacturing standards. Although “Save Mary” isn’t the first game to be rescued from the pile of cancelled late-stage 2600 games, it follows the release of “Mr. Run and Jump” earlier this year.

The gameplay of “Save Mary” revolves around constructing a platform for the character Mary to escape a flooding canyon. The game was highly anticipated during its development and even received praise from Atari founder Nolan Bushnell in a 1989 interview with Atarian, an Atari-focused magazine.

In the interview, Bushnell mentioned, “Then there’s one called ‘Saving [sic] Mary’ which I really like. It is the first game in which you rely on construction rather than destruction to save the princess. You build towers at the base of a river gorge to keep Mary out of the water, which is constantly rising. You have an unlimited supply of building materials, but you can lose a life by either squashing Mary with a piece of building material or building so slowly that you fail to get her out of the water and she drowns. The guilt you feel is tremendous.”

Interestingly, “Save Mary” has been available to the public as a ROM dump for many years since prototype cartridges were discovered in 1997.

Featured

Spellman Signature Auctions: 2017 Audi R8 V10 Spyder

Save the date: September 30, 2023 is your golden opportunity to acquire a truly unique automobile that combines German precision with Italian elegance. Spellman Signature Auctions presents an exclusive event at the esteemed Newport Car Museum, featuring a remarkable 2017 Audi R8 V10 Spyder. This supercar stands out from the crowd with its limited production of only 1,291 units worldwide and a mere 8,470 miles on its odometer.

The Audi R8 V10 Spyder exudes grace and sophistication within its class. Its powerful 5.2-liter DOHC 40 Valve V10 engine, derived from the legendary Lamborghini Huracan, generates an astonishing output of 540 horsepower and delivers torque of up to 398 ft-lbs. This beauty boasts exceptional performance capabilities. Enhancing its prowess even further, the R8 V10 Spyder showcases advanced features such as a transaxle system and four-wheel drive, ensuring optimal weight distribution and enhanced handling capabilities.



 513_5

Equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Audi R8 V10 Spyder is both powerful and fast. It can sprint through quarter-mile distances in just over eleven seconds and reach impressive speeds from zero to sixty in merely 3.5 seconds. This car is not only aesthetically pleasing but also an untamed beast ready for unleashing.


513

25 Photos

Despite its performance capabilities, the comfort of the R8’s interior design remains uncompromised. Audi’s renowned craftsmanship and utilization of high-quality materials throughout the vehicle’s cabin space ensure a comfortable driving experience. With its track-ready attributes combined seamlessly into one package, you can enjoy thrilling drives without sacrificing daily driving comforts.

The 2017 Audi R8 V10 Spyder being unveiled at Spellman Signature Auctions is not your ordinary car. With its exclusive production line of only 1,291 units worldwide and a low mileage of 8,470 miles, this car’s rarity further enhances its allure. Its story is far from complete.

513_3

As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming Spellman Signature Auctions event on September 30th, it becomes evident that the 2017 Audi R8 V10 Spyder epitomizes style, comfort, power, and track-ready capabilities in perfect harmony. Whether you are a seasoned collector or an ardent enthusiast, this vehicle promises to be both an intelligent and sensational addition to your esteemed collection.

Do not miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own automotive excellence. Join us at the Newport Car Museum on September 30th where you can bid for this extraordinary automobile—a rare gem that combines exclusivity with remarkable qualities that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression.

News

Autocar magazine 16 August: on sale now

This week in Autocar, we have the latest scoop on the ninth-generation Volkswagen Golf. We also take a drive in a car that helps to save diesel and explore why Adrian Mardell is the one to rescue Jaguar.

News

The upcoming ninth-generation Volkswagen Golf is set to be the most drastically transformed version of the popular family hatchback yet. We provide all the details on its powertrain, technology, and even its name.

Within the next year, we will learn about the future of the Discovery brand in JLR’s new “House of Brands.” Our exclusive interview with the brand’s CEO reveals what plans are in store.

Aston Martin introduces the DB12 Volante, an open-top “super tourer” and the most powerful V8 cabrio GT available for purchase.

Porsche is preparing for its EV era with a new look that was previewed by the Mission X and 357. We explore what this means for the future of Porsche’s sports cars.

Reviews

Honda has enhanced the CR-V with a more captivating drive and updated dynamics. We investigate whether it truly lives up to Honda’s claim of being “exhilarating.”

The new BMW X5 not only features a refreshed design but also offers a more luxurious interior. We put the 30d variant to the test to understand why it is considered the savior of diesel.

Matt Prior reviews the new Smart #1 Brabus, which boasts 422bhp. However, he finds that its chassis is not adequately equipped to handle such power. Read his review for more details.

We also take a look at the Hyundai Kona Hybrid, Inverted Range Rover Classic, facelifted Nissan X-Trail, and the Mercedes A250e saloon.

Features

We explore the Japanese market and drive three performance icons – the Nissan Z Sport, Toyota GR Corolla, and Subaru WRX – that aren’t available for purchase in Britain. Join us as we find out what these models have to offer on a Canadian mountain road.

Adrian Mardell’s journey from JLR apprentice to the top job is an inspiring one. He explains how he reached his current position and why he is the right person to lead Jaguar forward.

With London’s Ultra Low Emissions Zone expanding in the near future, we examine the best ways to navigate the city economically. From the Volkswagen Up to the BMW 330Ci, we compare various cars to determine the best option for you.

Opinion

Matt Prior shares his thoughts on car-based subscription services and how they can sometimes make even the most mildly-spoken person irritable.

News, Technology

Amazon Prime Subscribers Will Soon Pay More For Music Unlimited

Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers who are also Amazon Prime customers will soon see an increase in their subscription fees. Currently priced at $99 per year, the annual subscription cost will increase by $10. The family plan price will also be raised from $15.99 to $16.99 per month. While the price increase may appear small on an individual basis, it reflects a larger trend in the industry.

In line with this trend, Disney recently announced its plans to raise the price of the ad-free version of Disney+ to $13.99 per month starting in October. Additionally, Disney will be implementing measures to crack down on password sharing, following in Netflix’s footsteps. The exact details of these measures are yet to be revealed, but they are expected to be introduced for Disney+ subscribers next year.

Other popular streaming services such as Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and Max have also increased their subscription rates in recent months. Combined with the fragmented nature of streaming content across multiple platforms, many consumers now find themselves paying monthly fees comparable to what they used to pay for cable TV.

Car review

Nissan X-Trail

The front of the Nissan X-Trail bears a strong resemblance to the Nissan Qashqai, with only a few minor differences in color and trim. The dashboard is the same as the smaller Nissan SUV, and while some may have expected more for the higher price, there is little to complain about.

Although other cars may have a more avant-garde style, the X-Trail still looks modern. It features soft-touch materials and has been designed with practical usability in mind. The climate control panel uses physical buttons instead of glossy black plastic that easily shows fingerprints.

The biggest change in the X-Trail compared to the Qashqai is the center console. It has a floating design with space beneath it. On top, it offers generous cupholders, a wireless phone charger, a 12V socket, a USB-A port, and a USB-C port. The rear seats also have a USB-A and USB-C port.

However, it’s important to study the brochure because lower trims are slightly stripped down. For example, the Visia trim has fewer USB ports and doesn’t come with an infotainment screen. The digital gauge cluster is only available on N-Connecta and higher trims. Lower grades have analogue gauges with a smaller 7.0-inch screen. The 12.3-inch digital cluster in our test car is not highly customizable but effectively utilizes space and provides clear information.

The X-Trail offers a great experience in the front seats. However, as an SUV with the option for a third row (which comes with an additional price increase), it is primarily a vehicle purchased for its spaciousness. In this aspect, it may be slightly disappointing compared to similar models, depending on what you compare it with.

When compared to rivals like the Toyota RAV4 or Kia Sportage, the X-Trail provides generous rear-seat space, with 100mm more legroom than the Toyota. However, among other seven-seat SUVs, it doesn’t fare as well. Although there is more legroom than in a Kia Sorento when the second row is slid all the way back, there is still not enough legroom for the third row. To make the third-row seats in the X-Trail usable, even for small children, the second row needs to be slid forwards considerably.

Adding to the challenge is the hybrid battery located under the passenger compartment, which raises the floor and compromises the seating position. The X-Trail also doesn’t have the most spacious boot. With the third row folded away, it offers 485 liters of space. This increases to 575 liters in the five-seat hybrid and 585 liters in the five-seat mild hybrid. In comparison, the RAV4 has 580 liters, the Sportage hybrid has 587 liters, and a seven-seat Kodiaq has 765 liters.

Multimedia system

When we tested the Qashqai, we found the infotainment system to be unremarkable but outdated. This is still the case with the cheaper versions of the X-Trail, as the system is carried over. However, N-Connecta versions and above of both the 2023 Qashqai and X-Trail come with a new 12.3-inch system that greatly improves the experience.

The graphics are sharp, and the screen boots up and responds quickly. There’s a permanent bar of shortcuts on the right side of the screen, as well as a physical volume knob and buttons for tuning and switching between day and night modes.

The software is user-friendly, allowing customization of the home screen. The navigation system is decent, and it supports wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. Our test car was equipped with the upgraded Bose stereo, which provided good sound quality, although some occasional crackling was noticed from the speakers.

One peculiar aspect is that the vehicle settings need to be adjusted through the gauge cluster using the steering wheel buttons, rather than through the touchscreen.