SOME car designs stand the test of time and just go from strength to strength.

Such a model is the Nissan X-Trail which capitalised on the best of Nissan's technical know-how to field a design that has all you would expect from an SUV- shaped vehicle.

The Tekna DIG-T model which I drove looked just like the regulation tough 4x4, yet it was purelyt two-wheel drive.

This illustrates a growing market in which people want hefty vehicles like this but neither need, or, in some cases cannot afford to go the whole hog and splash out on a 4x4.

But this is not a mere tribute act to a 4x4 model but a highly sophisticated and very capable design which can cope with most jobs a versatile family transport has to do.

Its strengths are a commanding driving position and seven seat passenger carrying option which answers the needs of larger families who don't was to drive a dedicated people carrier.

And at £27,285 you do get a lot for your money with a long standard specification list which includes Nissan's Safety Shield Technologies including Blind Spot Warning and Moving Object Detection. Additional systems include Forward Emergency Braking, Lane Depart Warning and Traffic Signal Recognition.

Of course you get all the other features you would expect on a vehicle of this type including a plethora of airbags, alarm and immobilizer and a useful tyre pressure monitoring system.

Items of note include the NissanConnect seven-inch touchscreen navigation and entertainment system plus colour front, rear and side cameras.

It is amazing how this model has changed with the times, for what was once a rugged off-roader is now something of a crossover with the boxy looks changed for a more curvaceous stance.

It has to be said that the influence of stylish stablemates like the Juke and Qashqai have had an influence on this car's looks.

In five seat-form it is a capacious load carrier but with the seven-seat conversion (£1,000 extra) with the third row of seats in use luggage room is restricted.

There are two engines to choose from - a 1.6-litre turbodiesel and the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol.

The petrol version is only available in two-wheel-drive and is an indication of how petrol engine are making a comeback in larger vehicles like this.

The petrol model is smooth operator and was certainly a refreshing change from the recent parade of diesels I have been driving.