I have an X Trail and have no qualms about it being a Soft Roader, It is not a "REAL" 4WD but it can still go places my old Ford sparrow and Holden Commode would have had no chance of ever returning from.
I purchased it for its 4WD capability on boat ramps and guess what?........It actually works.
Would I go off road with the serious 4WDs?.............not on your Nelly.
But if you are speaking about Real Men's 4WDs you need to look at some of the extreme vehicles running around.
No Patrol, Pathfinder or Land Cruiser has a chance in hell of competing with these mean machines,
so does that make them "Not real 4WD's?"
I have watched a friend I know climb boulders, that I couldn't get up without a rope, in his beast.
I have seen it ford streams that Cruisers or Patrols would would wet their pants just looking at.
Lets not get into the "Real 4WD vs the Fake 4WD" because its all about the purpose of the vehicle, which is to tow.
Besides, an X Trail, with a few thou spent on it could match the big boys.