Nissan Qashqai: The price of love

What is it?

Nissan’s new Qashqai is on the money paying off with the title of this country’s Best Small SUV in car of the year awards.

Arriving as part of Nissan’s ‘All-New In 2022’ roll-out of the all-new X-Trail, Pathfinder and Z, it gives the Japanese company one of the freshest model line-ups in the country.

The judging panel was impressed by the all-new Qashqai, saying it ‘redefines what buyers can expect from a small SUV’.

Originally named Dualis here, the British-built Qashqai has sold more than 3 million units around the globe, so it must be doing something right.

Now, the third generation comes in four variants – ST, ST+, ST-L and Ti – all petrol powered and taking 95 RON, no less.

An e-Power hybrid is somewhere down the track.

What’s it cost?

Prices are up across the board with increases of between $3300 and $8300 depending on grade.

Up against the likes of the Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda HR-V and Mazda CX-30, the Qashqai finds itself in the upper reaches of the segment in terms of price.

ST starts things off at $33,890, plus on-roads, rising to Ti 2-Tone for $47,890. ST-L (on test), $42,190, and Ti are expected to make up the majority of sales.

All are powered by a 1.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine mated with a CVT-style continuously variable automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

A so-called compact it may be, but the third generation Qashqai has filled out in all proportions — 31mm longer, 30mm taller, 29mm wider, with a 19mm longer wheelbase than before.

The product of Nissan’s European Design Studio in London, MY23 model is more muscular, sharp and modern than previously.

An enlarged Nissan V-motion grille is complemented by slim, LED advanced matrix headlights with boomerang signature daytime running lights.

Side on, the vehicle appears also more athletic, with a single ‘fast line’ from back, leading to a striking horizontal presence.

All-new Qashqai leads the way in signature Nissan Intelligent Mobility, which gives access to driver assistance technology, engine performance with fuel economy and seamless smartphone connectivity.

ST-L grade also offers in-built satellite navigation, which provides a handy ‘Where am I?’ button for ‘Wallys’ that displays the name of the host street, plus the most recent one travelled and any nearby roads.

The latest Qashqai earned a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP in 2021.

All grades include forward and reverse autonomous emergency braking, with pedestrian and, cyclist detection, junction assist, active speed limiter, adaptive cruise
control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, rear parking sensors, reversing camera, traffic
sign recognition and tyre pressure monitoring.

ST-L adds front parking sensors, ProPILOT semi-autonomous driving system and alarm system. Seven airbags, including front-centre, are standard.

Qashqai is covered by Nissan’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assistance over the same period.

What’s it go like?

To say the Qashqai is generous with space inside is to sell the small SUV short.

For example, there’s room for a real knees-up in the back seat with acres of leg room and shoulder space, entertainment courtesy of standard digital radio (DAB+) and
USB-A and USB-C ports throughout the cabin.

Premium quilted cloth and synthetic leather-accented seating includes massage function for the driver, who also enjoys the benefit of eight-way power positioning.

New white ambient lighting is used throughout the cabin with large glassed areas improving all-round visibility from commanding positions.

There’s a fold-down centre armrest with cup holders, map pockets behind both front seats, and bottle holders in the wide-opening rear doors.

Surprisingly, the boot takes as much as 429 litres of stuff, with volume boosted to 1524 litres with the 60:40 back seat folded. Pity the Divide-and-Hide security system
is not available.

All four variants are powered by the same 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine putting out 110kW of power at 5500 rpm and 250Nm of torque between 1600 and 3750 rpm. This is shunted to the front wheels of the SUV.

Qashqai shows more than a hint of hesitation out of the blocks, the turbo taking its time winding up.

Once into its stride, however, apart from the odd CVT wobble, there’s no looking back for the the 1.3-litre SUV on its way to an unconfirmed zero-to-100 km/h time of 8.5 seconds. Top speed is put at 206km/h.

As for fuel economy, Nissan’s official combined urban/highway cycle figure of 6.1L/100km gives Qashqai a range of more than 900km.

The test car weighed in with figures of 8.4L/100km around town and 4.6L at full steam on the motorway.

Cabin noise insulation is effective, with neither engine nor wind noise intruding and only coarser road surfaces offering any impost.

Some body roll comes to the fore on fast bends. Light and easy steering makes town work and tight spots manageable.

Lane keep assist is one of the friendliest around. No ‘roboreef’ of the steering wheel, just a gentle nudge to the driver if the attention of he or she begins to wander.

What we like?

• More muscular styling
• Much more spacious
• Light and easy steering
• Lane keep assist one of the friendliest

What we don’t like?

• More than a hint of hesitation out of the blocks

The bottom line?

What’s in a name? Well, in the case of the Qashqai it’s said to be a tribe of Iranian nomads dating back to the 11th century.

A thousand years later, the romance lives on for those hankering for freedom and comfort on the move, providing they are prepared to wear one of the highest purchase prices in the compact SUV segment.

 

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