Some lead, others follow
WHEN the Nissan Qashqai was launched in 2007, it was the first vehicle to be called a ‘crossover.’
In other words, it was the first vehicle to blend a familyfriendly five-door hatchback with the appearance of a 4x4. It was an instant success.
Fast-forward to 2017 and you will find a ‘crossover’ in the range of almost every other manufacturer. That is why Nissan has launched this new Qashqai. It needed to catch up. And it has. This latest Qashqai is better than ever. It is still hugely rewarding to drive. There is plenty of room for five adults and all of their junk, and you get a great level of equipment thrown in as standard.
The Qashqai range starts at £19,235. Every Qashqai comes with air conditioning, electric parking brake, DAB radio and Bluetooth, electric windows and heated mirrors, height adjustment to the driver’s seat, cruise control and stop-start. To be honest, many people will be perfectly happy with the entry level Visia model.
However, we’d go for the N-Connecta model, which adds satnav, parking sensors, rear privacy glass, smart alloys and a host of extra safety kit.
In terms of power, there’s a choice of 1.2 and 1.6-litre petrol engines or 1.5 and 1.6litre diesels. You can get an auto gearbox but we prefer the six-speed manual, which has a nice action to it. There’s also the option of all-wheel drive, which is great if you live out in the sticks.
As usual, the engine choice tends to be governed by your requirements. If you do a high-ish mileage and regularly travel with a decent load, go for the diesels. If you want a quieter, smooth journey, head for the petrol engines. The best combination is probably the 1.5-litre diesel because it has plenty of oomph and provides good economy. It’s also surprisingly hushed. Go easy and you’ll crack the 70mpg barrier.
The ride is sporty yet smooth. You can have fun on the twisty stuff yet dawdle around town despite lumps and bumps.
The Nissan Qashqai has now been in production for 10 years, and the workers at the Sunderland plant can be proud of it.
It’s a brilliant family car that’s great value, good to drive, smart to look at, well equipped and economical to run.