NISSAN is adding a 165PS 2.5-litre petrol engine to its X-Trail range of compact 4x4s.

Sales start in January.

The model comes in one new fully loaded specification, SVE and will be priced at £20,495 - up just £600 on the existing 2.0 SE+.

Acceleration to 62 mph takes 9.9 seconds - 1.4 seconds quicker than the 2.0-litre X-Trail - yet the 2.5’s average fuel consumption of 29.4 mpg is only 1 mpg down on the 2.0.

Like every X-Trail, the 2.5 has an electronic - so faster reacting - four-wheel drive system known as all mode 4x4 in Nissan-speak.

It offers a choice of three press-a-button modes including front-wheel drive only for in-town pootling. The keener driver will select the auto setting for maximum security on-road as well as traction for the 10 per cent of time the car goes off, while mode three is lock which predictably locks the drive front and rear.

For a better view of the wilderness, the 2.5 retains the usual X-Trail electrical glass tilt/slide “sky’’ roof.

The 2.5’s seats are covered in leather that is as practical as it is luxurious. Leather also gets wrapped around the steering wheel rim and gear lever, meanwhile the electrically adjusted and heatable door mirrors will glide away on demand, the centre console incorporates an adjustable armrest and audio controls are mounted on the steering wheel.