4x4 course with a Nissan Xtrail
- AlisonJ
- Nov 30
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 13
When we bought our first 4x4 back in 2012 we were so excited to do a 4x4 driving course with our Nissan Xtrail. Our hopes of going on holiday to destinations for 4x4 users only were dented when we realized our clearance was nothing like the other cars on the course and there was no Low Range.
We still had fun learning about the technical theory of 4x4 vehicles and the capabilities of the Xtrail.
Terminology such as Diff lock and traction control were unpacked before touching on the practicalities of driving in different terrain such as rocky ascents or deep sand.
With the theory done, we set off to put our newfound knowledge to the test in the mountains above Stellenbosch and Somerset West.
Driving in convoy with Gramps at the wheel we ventured off road and received instructions as we approached each obstacle.
In our convoy are a Lexus, a Mitsubishi Parejo Sport and a Toyota HiLux, among other more suitable 4x4 vehicles and we feel a little inferior.
We enable descent control, take our foot off the accelerator and brake and let the car do the steep descent on its own (apart from the steering of course). Not a bad start.
Next up the deep ditch/donga across our path with Alison in control.
She cautiously edges forward, gripping the steering wheel tightly, following the hand gestures of the tour leader.
Each inch forward moves the car into a more compromised position from which there is no turning back.
It is at this point that Gramps starts to question the wisdom of taking a brand new, soft road 4x4 on a no holds barred 4x4 course.
The position of the wheels is critical, and one ill-advised lunge forward could mean damaging the car. But Alison gets it spot on and we negotiate the obstacle with ease.
A small hill with a 30 degree approach angle is also no match for us
The success is intoxicating, and we tackle the cross-axle section with nonchalance, but not arrogance.
Slowly the car moves forward through alternating holes on the left, then the right, effortlessly transferring the power to the wheel with the best purchase.
Our tour leader watches closely and ensures that we are doing the right things to get the best out of the xtrail.
Another success and this is reminiscent of a feel-good animated movie about a brave young xtrail growing in confidence as he beats the odds. He is doing everything that the "proper" 4x4s (the adversaries) are doing and with more style.
We decide not to push it too far though and bypass the extreme cross axle and rocky ascent sections due to concerns about damaging the under-carriage. This is our decision and our xtrail is very put out as he was keen to give it a crack and would have passed with flying colours.
The course was both educational and enjoyable and we left with confidence that our new purchase could handle many of the obstacles we may face.
In the following years we never pushed it too far though and this was the most we tested it. We did some rock climbing when we took a wrong turn on the way to a short break at Desert Winds but it was only when we tried to take Stacey to her Runway wedding destination at Kagga Kamma that we met our match.
We had been warned that deep sand would be a challenge without better clearance, low range or diff lock and so it turned out.
The morning before the ceremony we tested whether we could drive Stacey from the rooms to the runway where the arch was waiting.
Things were going fine until we beached and there was nothing we could do - forward or backwards. We needed a souped up bakkie to swoop in, hook up the recovery straps and yank us out, without breaking a sweat.
The brave, young xtrail was now older, less shiny and no longer up to the task. A sad end to the movie, but we needed a new star for the sequels.
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