YOU may recall how for years car makers quoted flight-of-fancy figures for the fuel consumption of the new models sitting gleaming under the showroom spotlights.

Not their fault really - they were following an unrealistic set of rules from the Euro politicians and the result was a lot of owners dismayed at the real life economy figures they were getting.

Things have changed recently and the test is now much more severe - and the results a lot closer to the actuality. So no more nasty surprises on the monthly budgeting front, hopefully.

Take the X-Trail driven here; a top version of Nissan's larger SUV, offering more space for both luggage and people (there's a third row seat option) than its smaller and wildly successful Qashqai sibling.

The new eco test gives the recently upsized diesel engine - now 1.7-litres instead of 1.6 - an average consumption of 41.5mpg. An encouraging figures for a fairly large car with the aerodynamics of a brick and ability to cross a ploughed field with four-wheel-drive (4WD) engaged.

The dashboard readout on the test car showed 41.2mpg after 500 varied miles. So close enough in real life to let the rule setters smile with satisfaction that they've nailed the exaggerated claims of yesteryear.

You'd never call its gruff engine note particularly cultured but it fades into the background once cruising speed is reached. A crisply changing gearbox helps things along and this tall, heavy car doesn't mind corners, although you just know it's not up for playing sporty.

The X-Trail would much rather you settled back and enjoyed all the goodies that come with the range topping Tekna version - a highly popular choice that shows that we UK buyers like our SUVs dripping with kit.

Heated seats front - and rear - are standard on the Tekna grade, along with a powered tailgate that can be opened with a kick of a foot under the rear bumper, a big glass sunroof, cameras with an all-round view of the car and safety equipment that stretches to alerting you if something is approaching as you reverse out of a parking space.

The third row of seats cost £660 and gives space for growing youngsters or - at a squeeze - an adult or two for a few miles if the alternative is a wet walk to the pub.

The X-Trail range starts at £25,795 although the pick of the range might be an Acenta Premium model that adds satellite navigation and an all-round view camera to ease parking in a tight space. It shares the same 1.7-litre diesel of this car but is front-wheel drive only.

It will also have smaller, 17-inch alloy wheels that won't have the glitzy looks that come with the 19in alloys on the test car but would help the ride on main roads suffering from years of minimum maintenance patching.