Larger, safer and better equipped
The all-new Nissan Qashqai model is due in showrooms this month.
The model, which shares its CMF-C underpinnings with the larger X-trail, is priced from $33,890 plus on-road costs.
Offering more power and torque and improved fuel economy courtesy of a 1.3-litre turbocharged engine and continuously variably transmission combination, the five-seat Qashqai is also larger, safer and better equipped.
Designed at the Nissan Design Europe facility in London and manufactured in the UK, the Qashqai draws on the styling of the X-trail with a familiar ‘floating’ roof with integrated spoiler, Nissan’s trademark V-motion grille and frontal motif, Boomerang LED headlights, active grille shutters and a single ‘fast line’ that runs in profile from front to rear.
Nissan has grown the Qashqai in every dimension. The wheelbase is now 19mm longer than before which overall length grows 31mm.
The model is also 30mm taller and 29mm wider, making it the widest model available in the small SUV under $40,000 segment.
Braked towing capacity for the model jumps 300kg to 1500kg, bettering some models even in the medium SUV under $60,000 segment.
Under the bonnet, the Qashqai arrives with turbocharged petrol power, for now, with Nissan set to offer its e-power hybrid driveline later in 2023.
At launch, the Qashqai arrives only with Nissan-renault’s HR13DDT four-cylinder unit coupled to a continuously variable transmission and driving the front wheels.
Power and torque numbers are listed at 110kw, at 5500rpm, and 250Nm, at 1600rpm to 3750; while fuel consumption comes in at 6.1 litres per 100km. The engine is equipped with idle-stop technology.
On the technology front, we find all Qashqai variants equipped with a touchscreen audio system and Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. All variants have keyless entry and push-button ignition, folding wing mirrors and rear-seat air vents as well as LED headlights with high beam assist, LED DRLS and a shark fin-style antenna.
For the Qashqai ST, priced from $33,890 plus on-road costs, there are 17-inch alloy wheels, an electronic park brake with auto hold function, adaptive cruise control, two front and two rear USB charging ports, manually-adjustable front seating, a six-speaker audio system with DAB+ digital radio reception, 8.0-inch infotainment screen and 7.0-inch driver assistance screen within the instrument cluster.
The entry-grade model further includes a rear camera, parking sensors and Nissan’s comprehensive Intelligent Mobility safety suite comprising forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, AEB, with junction assist and pedestrian and cyclist detection, blindspot warning and intervention, lane departure warning and intervention, traffic sign recognition, rear AEB, rear cross-traffic alert, active speed limiter and rear seat and door alert, a tyre pressure monitor and seven airbags.
ST+ variants, priced from $37,890 plus on-road costs, add a 12.3-inch infotainment array with satellite navigation and wireless Apple Carplay,
LED front fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, 18-inch alloys, 360-degree camera technology and an optional two-tone roof.
For third-tier ST-L, which is priced from $42,190 plus on-road costs and expected to take the lion’s share of Qashqai sales, Nissan adds 19-inch alloys, a wireless smartphone charger, roof rails, rear LEF indicators, autodimming rear-view mirror, adaptive headlights, dual-zone climate control, centre console with tray and ambient lighting, luggage hooks, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats, cloth-pvc upholstery, power driver’s seat adjustment, a rear seat armrest, alarm, front parking sensors, and Nissan’s Propilot driver assistance technology.
Finally, and topping the range, we find the Qashqai Ti priced from $47,390 plus on-road costs.
The variant arrives as standard with a panoramic glass roof with electric sunshade, quilted leather accented upholstery, LED ambient lighting, a black hood liner, 10.8-inch head-up display, 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, 10-speaker BOSE audio system, electric handsfree tailgate, reverse tilt mirrors, Divide-n-hide cargo storage divider, key-based driver profiles, a power adjustable passenger seat, driver seat memory, front seat massage function and self-parking assist with side parking sensors.