4x4s have had a bad rap over recent years and there are many reasons for this writes Sharon Walters.

One is the inexorable rise in the price of fuel, which is usually accompanied by some member of one of the save the planet parties demanding on national television that the cost of petrol and diesel double in price and we all get on to public transport.

Well, that’s great if you live in Central London near a tube station but for the rest of the UK this is probably not helpful.

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The other is related to so-called Chelsea tractors, which I don’t get. Why do you need a 4×4 in London? I can only think that the kerb at Harrods must rival the foothills of the Himalayas.

A more unsuitable place for a 4×4 I cannot imagine and undoubtedly this does not help the cause.

However, there are people that do need a 4×4, for towing the caravan, the horse box, the boat, and picking up flat-pack furniture from a well known company from Sweden.

Also, most vehicles in this sector have large boot space, which helps if you have a big family and don’t want or need a people carrier.

Most manufacturers offer as part of their range 4×4′s, which can fulfil pretty much any requirements you may have, but I have to confess that one that has passed me by is the Nissan X-Trail.

The version I am testing is called the Tekna and my first impression is very positive. The X-Trail has been extensively revised for 2011 and the bodywork is very striking with a purposeful chrome front grille that does announce your arrival effectively.

The X-Trail runs on 18-inch alloy wheels, which add a further touch of class. However, the inside is where the real fun starts.

Firstly you are presented with a full leather interior that would shame some cars at twice the price. It is also very comfortable and there is enough legroom in the back to seat adults with ease.

The dashboard is well laid out with the excellent Nissan touchscreen sat nav and music player taking pride of place.

So what’s it like to drive? The vehicle I have on test comes with a 171bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine coupled to a 6-speed gearbox. It also has selectable four-wheel drive so it only needs to be there when you need it.

The engine delivers its power smoothly with well-spaced gears that make progress in pretty much any situation very easy.

What I did not expect was the level of comfort the X-Trail provides with suspension perfectly matched to the drive train.

In the real world this translated into a car that will eat up the miles with absolute ease. Interestingly, at the time we had another vehicle on test and it was telling that this was left parked while we had the Nissan.

Don’t think that this is a softroader either. It is a proper off-roader and will compete with the best of them with low range gears.

An approach angle of 28 degrees and a departure angle of 21degrees mean you won’t be getting stuck any time soon. With a braked towing capacity of 2200kg pulling anything you choose should not present a problem.

Now the bit that the green critics have waited for: fuel consumption. I can sense the anticipation and the willingness for it to have the same consumption as a lorry.

Well, I hate to disappoint but how does 50mpg sound? Yes that’s right, the X-Trail competes with your city car!

The 2011 X-Trail is a great car and proof positive that you don’t have to sell your soul to an oil baron to enjoy the benefits of 4×4 motoring.