You might just about spot the difference in the new Nissan X-Trail; the look of the new model is not that much different from the one that it replaces. But there are significant changes in terms of engines and suspensions, so expect a lot more, as Michael Moroney did when he took the X-Trail for a recent test drive.

The new Nissan X-Trail has power, economy and comfort appeal, but the price increase for the diesel models, starting at €45,100 before delivery charges, is excessive.

Most would agree that the Nissan X-Trail has a familiar look. The new model, introduced some weeks ago, retains the familiar structural look of the previous model, so you need to dig a little deeper to assess the value.

With a significant price increase for the new model, you need to see what the value offering is in a market for mid-range SUV that's getting more packed by the month. Nissan's X-Trail has been a popular SUV; in fact it's a vehicle that I have recommended to many would-be SUV buyers. It's practical, powerful and easy to drive, so has all that changed and is the new offer better?

In the first instance the new X-Trail is different, even though on the face of it there seems to be little change. Nissan claim that it's marginally taller and longer than before, while its ground clearance measurement remains the same at 200mm. The wheelbase has been stretched a little too, but we are talking millimetres.

On the inside, the most obvious difference is the fact that dials have been moved from a centre position to behind the steering wheel. That gets the thumbs up from me. There are more storage areas, while the practical washable boot floor has been retained. It is now complimented by a useful under-floor storage area.

The model that I drove was a true 4x4 version, complete with a new diesel engine. That's where the serious differences from the past begin. The engine size has been reduced from a 2.2-litre turbo-diesel to a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel. Smaller engine but more power has been the Nissan formula as the new X-Trail pushes the engine power output from 134bhp to 150bhp; a jump of 12 per cent.

The extra power only adds very little in the way of improved acceleration. The new X-Trail comes with a 0 to 100km/hr rating of 11.2 seconds, shaving 0.6 of a second from the performance of the previous larger engine model.

The new engine is also marginally more economical. The 4x4 150bhp diesel version is rated at 7.1/100km (39mpg) in the combined cycle. That's better than average for the segment and slightly better than the older version but still less economical than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, both of which are now powered by 2.2 litre diesels.

I would have expected a more significant improvement in the economy rating, as the new X-trail is lighter than some of the competition. That weight reduction has been achieved with some design features borrowed from the Nissan Qashqai.

These features include the same platform as that of the Qashqai. The platform uses strut-type suspension at the front with a multi-link system at the rear. Both ends are mounted on separate rubber insulated sub-frames with the aim of giving enhanced refinement and isolation from vibrations and ultimately a superior ride both on and off-road.

All new X-Trail 4x4 models come with Nissan's ALL-MODE 4x4 system. This operates in two-wheel drive only to minimise fuel consumption and transfers into four-wheel drive mode as and when the vehicle detects it is needed, or it can be manually selected by the driver. Manual selection is by means of a button beside the gear lever.