YOU don't have to live with the new Nissan X-Trail for long to appreciate why it has become the world's best selling Sports Utility Vehicle.

And considering the global explosion in the demand for SUVs at the expense of hatchbacks and saloons that's no mean feat.

This is a big car that makes the most of its size to impress passengers with an enormous amount of space for their comfort, a vast luggage area for their convenience and a plethora of onboard features for their relaxation.

The car has recently undergone a small facelift to improve its styling as well as a few changes to the interior but all changes have been subtle. Just enough to freshen up the model without upsetting potential customers.

After all if a car has recorded 3.7 million sales since launch in 2000 there can never have been too much wrong with it.

Those changes include new headlights and bumpers and slight alterations to the grille to make the X-Trail look that little bit more macho than before.

At the rear full LED lights have been fitted and new chrome side mouldings add that little extra flair to the car.

The overall length of the X-Trail has been increased by 50mm but this car was already so spacious it will probably be barely noticed by passengers.

And the nice thing about all that space is that it's so flexible. The two-thirds/one third split rear seats each slide backwards and forwards to give you a choice of more legroom or more luggage space while the rear seat backs recline to ensure that those in the back can get perfectly comfortable.

With the rear seats in their default position rear passengers get limousine-like legroom.

In the front electrically adjustable armchair-like leather seats are superbly comfortable and I liked the contrasting black trim from the windows down and cream trim on the upper levels and headlining.

On the Tekna model it's luxury all the way with heated seats front and rear, a heated steering wheel and heated front screen - the latter being a must- have in winter.

The Tekna also comes with a glass panoramic sliding sunroof and roof rails not to mention a superb eight-speaker Bose sound system.

Powered by a 130bhp, 1.6-litre engine the X-Trail delivers plenty of grunt. It's a little sluggish and gruff on heavy acceleration but has a definite friendly feel to it and it is a likeable drive.

When up to speed noise levels are impressively low and the mid range and high speed flexibility are superb with instant response to a stab of the accelerator with rarely a need to drop a gear.

During normal use the X-Trail uses two-wheel-drive but when the going gets tough the turn of a dial means power going to both axles.

After a week with the X-Trail Teckna it's easy to appreciate its sales success.