Why Choose the Nissan X-Trail e-POWER

The compact SUV segment is one of the most competitive in the automobile market. Its moderate price and suitable space make it a top choice for many young families. Consequently, various automakers continuously introduce their most robust products into this segment. In our previous “Daily Usability Tests,” we have tested many popular compact SUVs. This time, we selected four models for comparison: Neta X, Kia Seltos, Nissan X-Trail e-POWER, and Smart #3. Let’s evaluate their overall performance from a daily usability perspective.

Interior Comfort and Features Comparison

In terms of interior comfort, both the Nissan X-Trail e-POWER and Smart #3 are equipped with a middle headrest in the rear seat, with Smart #3 offering a larger headrest for better head support. In contrast, the other two models do not have middle headrests, which can affect the comfort of the rear middle passenger.

For the front central armrest, the opening mechanisms vary among the four models. The Nissan X-Trail e-POWER features a split-opening design, while the other three models use a conventional top-hinged design. However, none of the models support angle adjustment for the armrest. Still, except for the Kia Seltos, the armrests in the other three models provide effective support for the driver’s elbow, making them quite practical.

Regarding the forward and backward movement of the driver’s seat, all four models performed excellently, exceeding the average values for their class. The Nissan X-Trail e-POWER stood out with a range of 270mm, the best among the four. In terms of steering wheel adjustment, the Nissan X-Trail e-POWER also leads with the most significant range of vertical adjustment, while the Kia Seltos falls short of the class average.

USB Power Interface Configuration Comparison

For charging ports, all four models have USB ports in both the front and rear seats, sufficient for daily use. The Neta X performed the best, with four USB ports, including both Type-A and Type-C and two 12V power outlets. The Kia Seltos, with only three USB ports and one 12V power outlet, is less practical than the other three models.

Interior Storage Space Comparison

When testing interior storage space, we focused on areas within easy reach from the front seats, excluding glove boxes and central armrest boxes that need to be opened. The test involved placing specific items in various storage spaces to assess the practicality of each vehicle. The items used were two standard-size water bottles, a large-screen mobile phone, lipstick, a handbag, a pair of sunglasses, a folding umbrella, and a pack of regular-sized tissues.

Both the Nissan X-Trail e-POWER and smart #3 could accommodate these items effectively in the front storage spaces, demonstrating good practicality. The Kia Seltos had the least storage space, accommodating only small items like a phone, lipstick, and umbrella.

In the cup holder test, smart #3 excelled with two cup holders in both the front and rear seats, all equipped with limiters for enhanced practicality. The Kia Seltos only has front cup holders without limiters, making it less practical compared to the other three models.

Trunk Space Comparison

All four models have relatively flat trunk floors and rear seats that can be folded down in a split configuration, enhancing storage flexibility. We measured the actual cargo capacity of each trunk. The Nissan X-Trail e-POWER performed the best, with all four measurements exceeding the class average. In contrast, smart #3 fell short in three measurements, indicating it is less practical than the other three models.

Interior Visibility Comparison

In the safety test section, we measured and compared the visibility of the vehicles during everyday use. All seats were adjusted to the lowest position for the measurements, which may differ from normal driving conditions.

In the front visibility blind spot test, we used a 70cm tall cone as a reference and adjusted the vehicle’s position until the cone’s top was visible from the driver’s seat. The shorter the distance between the vehicle and the cone, the smaller the front visibility blind spot.

All four models performed better than the class average in the front visibility test. The smart #3 had the smallest front blind spot area, performing the best.

For rear visibility, the Kia Seltos and Smart #3 excelled, with results above the class average. The Neta X and Nissan X-Trail e-POWER performed poorly, falling short of the class average.

In the exterior mirror visibility test, the Nissan X-Trail e-POWER’s left and right mirrors provided the best visibility, exceeding the class average. The Neta X’s left mirror and smart #3’s right mirror had below-average visibility, creating potential blind spots during lane changes.

Reversing Assistance Configuration Comparison

For reversing assistance, the closer the continuous beeping phase is to 0.25m, the more it aligns with everyday use. In the front parking radar test, the Neta X had the best detection capability, with a maximum range of 1.2m. During the continuous beeping phase, the Neta X remained consistent with the test standard of 0.25m. The Kia Seltos’ front radar performed poorly, with a significant gap from the test standard.

In the rear parking radar test, the Nissan X-Trail e-POWER had a maximum detection range of 1.4m, indicating good radar performance. The other three models did not meet the class average. The Kia Seltos’ continuous beeping phase also fell short of the test standard, requiring extra caution during reversing.

All four models come with a 360-degree panoramic imaging system. The Kia Seltos and Smart #3 also support multi-angle views, and all four models performed well overall.

When it comes to maneuverability, knowing the minimum road width required for a U-turn is essential to avoid scrapes and accidents. The Kia Seltos requires 10m, while the Nissan X-Trail e-POWER and smart #3 require 10.2m, and the Neta X requires 11m. Except for the Kia Seltos, the other three models did not meet the class average.

Conclusion

The four compact SUVs in this comparison delivered satisfactory results in terms of practicality. However, each model has areas for improvement, such as the rear visibility blind spots in the Neta X and Nissan X-Trail e-POWER, the limited interior storage space and insufficient front radar power in the Kia Seltos, and the significant right mirror blind spot in the smart #3. Overall, the practical performance of these compact SUVs varies, but they are all suitable for daily use, allowing consumers to choose based on their specific needs.

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