Nissan’s new compact SUV – the 2.5L X-Trail – launched late last year is an evolution of the first generation model. It is no lighter and certainly no more aerodynamic to cut through the air with a minimum of drag.

Yet it is more fuel efficient. How can this be? Try a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).

The previous X-Trail had a conventional four speed automatic gearbox. The CVT has an infinite number of gears, which harnesses the engine’s performance better for more economical fuel consumption.

On the independently tested Automobile Association drive around the now familiar Coromandel Peninsula loop – a 422 kms return trip from Manukau – the X-Trail returned 8.51 litres per 100 kilometres or 33.18 miles per gallon for those who still think in the old Imperial measurements.

The previous X-Trail managed 8.72 litres/100 kilometres around the same Coromandel course.

Under standard ADR (Australian Design Rules) testing the X –Trail is rated at 9.5 litres/100 kilometres.

Yet on the winding, twisty and hilly roads of the Coromandel Peninsula, where it is almost impossible to drive economically the X-Trail never showed worse than 8.6 lit/100 kms on the instrument panel fuel consumption read out.

For much of the drive, the rev counter needle hovered around 2000 rpm as the CVT used the highest and most economical gearing possible for the open road driving conditions.

The trip south from Manukau, along SH2 through Maramarua and across the Hauraki Plains to Paeroa always produces good fuel economy cruising around the legal speed limit.

The X-Trail’s economy averaged 8.1 litres/ 100 kilometres in this early easy going.

But the on-board computer showed that when it got into the hills heading north from Waihi to Whangamata, Tairua and Whitianga the fuel consumption did not drop rapidly.

The X-Trail cruised up the hills easily and only drank a little more fuel; the CVT’s computer brain selecting a “gear” for the severity of the climb and holding constant revs, rather than “hunting” up and down the gearbox like a conventional automatic is inclined to do, with consequent higher fuel consumption.

The Automobile Association observed economy testing over this route has been carried out for three years now in a variety of Nissans.

The X-Trail took it all in its stride, maintaining its frugal use of the 91 octane petrol, only consuming 35.89 litres over the 422 kms journey.

And the driver, passenger and 30 kgs of luggage did it in comfort with the air conditioning in constant use, replicating real world driving conditions. And the tyres were run at standard pressures, rather than being pumped up to un-comfortably hard pressure for less rolling resistance and better economy.

Conditions were not ideal, with gusting winds and late summer camper van tourists clogging the roads.