The ultimate in practicality, Nissan has another winner in the new Qashqai
THE Nissan Qashqai wasn’t the first crossover ( an SUV that drives like a car) but it was the one that defined the segment in Europe and is as ubiquitous on Irish roads as potholes and tailgating.
When it went on sale in 2007, it was a bit of a nerve-shredder for Nissan; despite very positive feedback from potential buyers, no-one really had a clue if it would sell. In fact, it exceeded all expectations and is one of the few cars where the sales graph rose consistently throughout a life cycle that included just one facelift. How successful has it been? Well, when it made its debut, it was all but alone in the segment – now, it has 14 rivals.
That’s why the new Qashqai is such an important car for Nissan, and also why the car has been streamlined and fine-tuned without tinkering with its core appeal.
The car is 20mm wider, 47mm longer and 15mm lower than its predecessor, accentuating its athleticism and making it look slightly more aggressive. The V-motion grille (soon to be the ‘face’ of all Nissan models) carries up through the bonnet and across the shoulder, giving an attractive tapered arrow look.
The all-LED headlamps on higher-spec models are purposeful rather than gimmicky and, Nissan says, they produce a whiter, crisper light (I can’t vouch for this as the test drives during the week were all in bright sunshine in a nevertheless chilly and snowy Madrid).
The boomerang taillights draw the whole package to a very satisfying close. Far too many cars fall down on the rear styling, which often seems like an afterthought, but having driven part of the route in convoy, that angle is just as pretty as the rest of the car. Inside, a lot of work has been done on storage. The electromagnetic parking brake opens up more space where the handbrake used to be. There are cupholders and a deep storage drawer with built-in USB, and a channel to make closing the box simple even with a phone cable peeping out (a simple idea that appears to have previously escaped the design genius of other makers, even premium executive ones).
The boot is terrific, with 430 litres of space and a dual floor system for concealment of valuables. Best of all, the tonneau cover slots vertically into the midway section of the cargo area, handy for when you want to carry smaller loads without them sliding around every time you take a corner. The tailgate also now raises 15cm higher, to make access easier.
The same logic has been applied to the doors, so getting in and out is easier too. What we’re talking about, then, is the ultimate in practicality, pretty much the perfect car for young families or older drivers trading down who still want space. Comfort, too, with redesigned seats, including a lovely suedette finish in certain spec levels.
The 1.5-litre diesel comes in two-wheel drive, though full 4x4 capability is available on the 1.6 diesel, which is a very nice drive. So too is the 1.2 petrol, replacing the old 1.6 petrol unit and delivering lower emissions, a higher top speed and, at 10.9 seconds, 0-100km/h acceleration actually improved by one full second.
The sales breakdown here will be 75/25 diesel to petrol. Standard equipment at XE grade includes six airbags, electronic stability and anti-lock brakes, a 13cm colour screen, Bluetooth, stop/start and hill start assist.
SV adds leather steering wheel and gear knob, interior ambient lighting, front fog lamps, dual-zone aircon, that luggage board system in the cargo area, electric folding door mirrors and rain-sensing wipers. You also can order a Nissan Connect pack with 18cm display and rear-view camera parking assist.
The top-of-the-range SVE includes Nissan Connect, a design pack with roof rails, panoramic roof and privacy glass, 19-inch alloy wheels, Bi LED headlamps, keyless ignition, heated front seats and electrically adjustable driver’s seat. Further options include blind spot warning, moving object detection and park assist.
It’s a very compelling package on a car engineered to give a taut yet dynamic drive. Seven years ago, Nissan claimed this segment of the market. With the next-generation Qashqai, it’s not about to loosen its grip.