Exterior
Nissan X-Trail: The recently announced Nissan X-Trail features a contemporary design with sharp body lines and a bold front fascia. The X-Trail has a soccer-mom/commuter car vibe to it, which I think isn’t too bad considering the fact that Nissan’s India Lineup not exactly having “Good-Looking” cars. Measuring 4680 mm in length, 1840 mm in width and 1725 mm in height, it rides on eye-catching 20-inch alloy wheels.
Skoda Kodiaq: The Skoda Kodiaq impresses with its sophisticated design and dynamic stance. This is a better eye-pleaser than its VW sibling the Tiguan. It measures 4699 mm in length, 1882 mm in width and 1685 mm in height, featuring 18-inch alloy wheels.
Jeep Meridian: The Jeep Meridian, looks like a stretched out Compass from the front but at the rear is when you realise that the compass doesn’t look too bad afterall. It showcases a rugged and muscular appearance similar to the Compass. It stands 4769 mm long, 1859 mm wide and 1682 mm tall, equipped with 18-inch wheels.
Toyota Fortuner: Does this car need an introduction? The word power resonates with this SUV. The Fortuner due to its size looks very bold. It measures 4795 mm in length, 1855 mm in width and 1835 mm in height, riding on 18-inch wheels.
Hyundai Tucson: The Hyundai Tucson has a sharp and muscular look overall. It definitely is a head turner its aggressive yet civilised looks. With dimensions of 4630 mm in length, 1865 mm in width and 1665 mm in height, and comes with 18-inch wheels.
MG Gloster: The Gloster looks like a big, muscular SUV. Not a big fan of how the front looks, but it definitely has a loud road presence. MG has made sure to remind everyone that the Gloster is a “BRITISH SUV” with the “British’ badges on the exterior. It’s 4985 mm long, 1926mm wide and 1867mm tall. Making it the biggest in this comparison.
Volkswagen Tiguan: The Volkswagen Tiguan looks very refined and calm. It doesn’t scream “look at me” in the traffic but loud enough to make you appreciate the subtle looks. It measures 4509 mm in length, 1839 mm in width and 1675 mm in height, featuring 18-inch alloy wheels.
Interior
Nissan X-Trail: Despite its high price tag, the X-Trail surprisingly lacks leather seats. However, it does offer a spacious and well-designed cabin, however the 8-inch touchscreen which is being laughed upon is not too bad either.
Skoda Kodiaq: The Kodiaq’s interior exudes luxury with high-quality materials, comfortable seating and advanced technology. The Kodiaq is well-packed with features and they do a good job at distracting you from the fingerprint magnet the piano black finishing is. It offers a generous boot space with the seats folded.
Jeep Meridian: The Meridian’s interior screams luxury and quality. Jeep has maintained their standards throughout all their car without discriminating between the products unlike many mass-manufacturers out there.
Toyota Fortuner: The Fortuner boasts a spacious and durable interior, designed for practicality and comfort, suitable for both city driving and off-road adventures.
Hyundai Tucson: The Tucson’s cabin screams sophistication and luxury. It has been well designed which makes it feel like its from a segment above, the Tucson also comes flooded with features.
MG Gloster: Stepping inside the Gloster and it instantly reminds you of BMW’s interior design. It definitely doesn’t fall short in the luxury department with the tan interiors.
Volkswagen Tiguan: The Tiguan’s interior is both stylish and functional, with high-quality materials, comfortable seating and advanced infotainment options.
Performance and Powertrain
Nissan X-Trail: Powered by a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine, it produces 163 BHP and 300 Nm of torque, paired with a CVT gearbox. It accelerates from 0-100 km/hr in under 10 seconds but lacks AWD or 4WD.
Skoda Kodiaq: Features a 2.0L turbo-petrol engine producing 190 HP and 320 Nm of torque, mated to a 7DCT gearbox. Does 0-100 km/hr in 7.8 seconds. The engine is quick but drinks a lot of fuel! The Kodiaq comes with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) to go from a comfortable ride to a sporty one! It comes with a 4WD system.
Jeep Meridian: Offers a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine, delivering 170 HP and 350 Nm of peak torque with either a 6MT or 9AT gearbox, available in 4×2 and 4×4 variants. It is the same Fiat sourced engine that powers a range of cars in India including Compass, MG Hector, Tata Harrier and Tata Safari.
Toyota Fortuner: Equipped with a 2.8-litre diesel engine that produces 204 PS and 500 Nm of torque for the automatic transmission and 420 Nm of torque for the manual transmission variants. It comes with 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission options. Available in RWD or 4WD.
Hyundai Tucson: Comes with a 2.0-litre diesel engine generating 183 BHP and 416 Nm of torque (8AT gearbox) or a 2.0-litre petrol engine with 153 BHP and 190 Nm of torque (6AT gearbox). Available in FWD or 4WD.
MG Gloster: Powered by a 2.0-litre diesel motor that puts out 161 BHP and 375 Nm of torque and a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel that makes 215 BHP and 480 Nm of torque. Both engines are offered with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Available with both 4×2 and 4×4 variants.
Volkswagen Tiguan: Equipped with a 2.0-litre TSI petrol engine producing 190 BHP and 320 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox. The Tiguan is a much more dynamic car when it comes to driving in comparison to its cousin the Kodiaq. The Tiguan too has a 4WD system.
Comparison Table
| Specification | Nissan X-Trail | Skoda Kodiaq | Jeep Meridian | Toyota Fortuner | Hyundai Tucson | MG Gloster | Volkswagen Tiguan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length (mm) | 4680 | 4699 | 4769 | 4795 | 4630 | 4985 | 4509 |
| Width (mm) | 1840 | 1882 | 1859 | 1855 | 1865 | 1926 | 1839 |
| Height (mm) | 1725 | 1685 | 1682 | 1835 | 1665 | 1867 | 1675 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2705 | 2791 | 2794 | 2745 | 2755 | 2950 | 2679 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 210 | 192 | 203 | 225 | 192 | 210 | 201 |
| Wheel Size | 20-inch | 18-inch | 18-inch | 18-inch | 18-inch | 19-inch | 18-inch |
| Engine Type | 1.5L 3-cylinder Turbo Petrol | 2.0L TSI Petrol | 2.0L Diesel | 2.7L Petrol / 2.8L Diesel | 2.0L Petrol / 2.0L Diesel | 2.0L Twin Turbo Diesel | 2.0L TSI Petrol |
| Engine Displacement | 1498cc | 1984cc | 1956cc | 2694cc / 2755cc | 1999cc / 1997cc | 1996cc | 1984cc |
| Power Output | 160 HP | 187 HP | 170 HP | 164 HP / 201 HP | 156 HP / 182 HP | 218 HP | 187 HP |
| Torque | 300 Nm | 320 Nm | 350 Nm | 245 Nm / 500 Nm | 192 Nm / 400 Nm | 480 Nm | 320 Nm |
| Gearbox | CVT | 7-speed DSG | 9-speed AT | 5-speed MT / 6-speed AT | 6-speed AT / 8-speed AT | 8-speed AT | 7-speed DSG |
| Drivetrain | FWD | 4WD | AWD / FWD | 4X2 / 4X4 | FWD / AWD | 2WD / 4WD | 4WD |
Verdict
Spending Rs. 40-45 lakhs on a car with a three-cylinder engine, basic rims and fabric seats might not meet the expectations of many buyers at this price point. It would be great to see brands like Nissan prioritise offering the latest and most competitive products in the Indian market. While it’s understandable that global stock can vary, offering outdated models may not resonate well with discerning Indian consumers who seek value for their investment.
Expecting the X-Trail to see a decent number in terms of sale would be difficult if priced at around Rs. 40-45 lakhs, you are better off buying the Skoda Kodiaq or the Tiguan, which offer a more balanced package with premium interiors and 4WD options. The Toyota Fortuner provides rugged appeal and off-road capabilities along with the great resale value and Toyota’s reliable aftersales. While the Hyundai Tucson stands out for its modern design and comfort. The MG Gloster impresses with its powerful diesel engine, luxury and 4WD options.
Choosing the right SUV ultimately comes down to individual preferences and priorities, so it’s important to make a well-informed decision before investing in a vehicle. While some models can be quite pricey, especially those imported as completely built units (CBUs), there are many great options available. Personally, I would go for the Tiguan but I’d love to hear about your favourite SUV in the comments!