Meet the Qashqai that started a revolution
A decade or so ago, few of us even knew how to pronounce Qashqai, Nissan’s then new venture into the family car market.
Today it’s recognised as the landmark crossover that kicked off a new style of car that lit a fire under just about every manufacturer, and began a global trend.
Now, 11 years after the first version was launched, the Japanese marque are on their third version of the Qashqai, introduced last year.
There’s been a flood of copycat crossovers launched into a greedy market. So, how well does the latest Qashqai fare against the rivals?
A plusher cabin trim, better quality materials and heavier duty plastic mouldings have boosted the interior’s feel-good factor.
I drove the 1.6 dCi Tekna+ version in two-wheel-drive guise which, along with the four-wheel drive, are the flagship models.
The quickest of the diesels, it has 130PS engine that has enough urge to cover the dash to 62mph in 9.9 seconds and go on to a maximum of 118mph, which is about par for the course in this sector.
Good economy has long been a strength of the Qashqai and the current model continues this attribute with an official combined figure of 64.2mpg. Emissions are impressive, too, with CO2 of 116g/km.
The latest interior has a quality air about it and there’s ample room for four or even five adults. A flat-bottomed leather steering wheel gives it a sporty edge and makes getting in and out easier for the driver.
The dash is well laid out with easy- to- read dials and plenty of dark, tactile plastic – smart looking in a conservative way.
Legroom in the rear is sufficient and the boot has a carrying capacity of 430 litres. With rear seats folded, this expands to 1585 litres.
Both engine and road noise are subdued, helping to make the Qashqai one of the most refined models in its class. There’s plenty of torque from the smooth diesel engine.
A slick six- speed gearbox is standard, although a CVT automatic is available for those who are not keen on manuals.
Gone, fortunately, are the days when it was accepted that high-riders wallowed and rolled around bends.
The Qashqai corners confidently and securely, with plenty of grip, and offers reasonable ride comfort.
As you’d expect, there’s plenty of standard kit on the Tekna+, which costs from £30,875.
This includes seven- inch touchscreen with sat nav, rear privacy glass, eightspeaker audio system, auto headlights, climate control and automatic folding mirrors.
Good looking and classy yet still just as practical, the Qashqai remains at the front of the pack – and we all now know how to say its name.
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