“Designed
and built in Britain,
Nissan’s
Qashqai is the UK’s
best-
selling crossover
— every day
another 1,200 of them roll off the
production line at
the Japanese
brand’s
Sunderland factory...”
ORIGINALLY
LAUNCHED in 2007, the Qashqai started the crossover
sector which combines SUV style (with or without 4x4 ability) with family
hatchback design and an elevated stance on the road.
Since that time the crossover sector has grown to encompass both smaller and
larger models and such vehicles now make up the third largest new car sales
sector in the UK as well as the largest in mainland Europe. Prices of the
latest Qashqai range — two petrol and two diesel engine options plus
Visia, Acenta, N-Connecta and Tekna trim and equipment levels — start
at £18,545 and top out at £28,990.
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“Functionality
has played
a big part in the
Qashqai’s success
because it’s easy to
drive, easy to use and
relatively versatile with
its seating and load
carrying layout.
For instance, the load
space has two reversible
floor panels that can
easily be raised or
lowered, providing 16
possible configurations
to either maximise
luggage volume or
provide a fully flat floor
with the back seats
folded...”
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Most
Qashqai models are front-wheel drive; 4WD is available only with the dCi 130hp
turbodiesel engine (also available with 2WD). All versions are now pure five-seaters
— the 5+2 variants are no longer available.
Petrol and diesel powerplants are expected to split UK sales 50:50, and it's
reflected in the engine line-up: 1.2-litre 115hp DIG-T and 1.6 163hp (160bhp)
DIG-T turbocharged petrols; 1.5-litre 110hp dci and 1.6 130hp dci turbodiesels.
All engines have fuel-maximising Start/Stop fitted and, depending on the specification
level, Xtronic automatic transmissions are available with the DIG-T 115hp petrol
and dci 130hp turbodiesel units.
Like its Renault Kadjar 2/4WD crossover competitor (which also uses the same
engines), the latest Qashqais use the Renault-Nissan platform — with the
Kadjar being a shade less pricey.
Functionality has played a big part in the success story of the Qashqai because
it is easy to drive, easy to use and relatively versatile with its seating and
load carrying layout.
For instance, the load space has two reversible floor panels that can easily
be raised or lowered, providing 16 possible configurations to either maximise
luggage volume or provide a fully flat floor with the rear seats folded.
Additionally, the rear boards easily slot into a vertical position providing
an ideal sized 'pen' for carrying shopping bags. Another neat touch is the load
cover that fits neatly under the luggage floor, allowing bulky items to be easily
loaded. The luggage boards feature a wipe-clean surface on one side and soft
carpet on the other, so muddy boots can be transported without damaging the
textile surfaces.
The Qashqai's boot has a capacity of 430 litres but with the rear seats folded
flat this goes up to a substantial 1,585 litres — if that's not enough,
the 1.6 DIG-T 163 has a braked towing capacity of 1,500kg so whether you're
using it for family leisure, travel, or as a workhorse, it's very practical.
However,
practicality alone does not sell cars; they have to look smart too, and the
latest Qashqai looks fairly bland in that area although I think the Renault
Kadjar has a little more styling flair both inside and out.
The
clamshell bonnet design of the Qashqai comes out of the premium car brand league
as do the flared wheelarches, rising waistline and sloping coupe-look roofline
— yes, there's athleticism and SUV 'muscularity', but it lacks the edgy
lines of its new-generation rivals.
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“This
new turbocharged
160bhp 1.6 petrol engine
replaces the old
naturally-aspirated
2.0-litre petrol unit and it
comes with the benefits
of more power and more
torque — plus it’s cleaner
and more fuel-efficient.
Top speed is 124mph
and zero to 62mph takes
9.1 seconds...”
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Inside,
the latest Qashqai models have an increased level of specification and connectivity
features — important additions on a customer's must-have list.
There's a comprehensive suite of advanced technology features including Nissan's
Safety Shield (which incorporates Forward Emergency Braking, Driver Attention
Alert and Traffic Sign Recognition along with several other vital driver aids),
while Intelligent Park Assist takes the stress out of urban manoeuvring.
What the latest Qashqai also offers is accessibility to premium brand technology
and that is what today's customers want but at reasonable prices. Of course,
there is a comprehensive list of extra-cost options so customers can tailor
their Qashqai to meet their specific needs.
Not that my test car needed any additions. Showcasing the latest Qashqai, Nissan
sent me the 1.6-litre 163hp DIG-T turbocharged petrol engine with manual gearbox
and front-wheel drive with the top Tekna specification priced at £25,380 on-the-road.
While this is £1,725 cheaper and more powerful than the Tekna 130hp turbodiesel,
the petrol-powered 1.6's running costs will be slightly higher.
This new 1.6-litre engine replaces the old naturally-aspirated 2.0-litre petrol
unit and it comes with the benefits of more power and more torque — plus
it's cleaner and more fuel-efficient. For the record, top speed is 124mph and
the zero to 62mph acceleration time is 9.1 seconds.
Other key figures to consider are fuel consumption — in the official Combined
Cycle it's 47.1mpg. In real-life, my week-long test driving returned an average
of 43.2mpg although on a longer motorway journey it did touch 47.4mpg because
of its 'tall' fifth and sixth overdrive gear ratios. A slight penalty of these
economy-boosting high ratios and a slow-to-react turbocharger is that acceleration
response can be sluggish.
The
engine develops 177lb ft of torque from 2,000rpm (which these days is a relatively
high engine speed) so when travelling on winding country roads and commuter
routes in traffic, for much of the time I found myself driving in fourth gear.
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“Other
key figures to
consider are fuel
consumption — in
the official Combined
Cycle it’s
47.1mpg.
In real-life
my week-long test
returned an average of
43.2mpg but on a longer
motorway journey it did
reach 47.4mpg...”
|
If
you want acceleration to pass slower vehicles on the open road you need to change
from sixth to at least fourth to get the revs necessary for the turbo to boost
power. Such are the penalties of having high gear ratios for improved fuel economy
and lower CO2 emissions.
So
while the new petrol engine is more powerful and quieter in operation, it lacks
the 'grunt', response and fluidity of the 1.5-litre 130hp dci turbodiesel —
but then that engine considerably pushes up the price of the Qashqai in what
is a very competitive and fast-growing market sector.
Competitors include the Renault Kadjar, Ford Kuga, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson,
Suzuki Vitara, Honda HR-V and VW Tiguan, to name but a few. And similar vehicles
from SEAT and Skoda are about to hit the market.
For a long time the British-built Qashqai has been popular because of its overall
packaging of must-have SUV styling, high equipment levels, competitive pricing
and versatile seating, all bundled up in a compact 4,377mm-long bodyshell.
A good all-rounder, with a well laid out interior and quiet engine, it rides
well enough and handles well enough; and that just about sums it up because
it does most things well enough to justify its long reign as leader of the crossover
pack — but the competition is now both more numerous and keener priced.
~ David Miles
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Nissan Qashqai Tekna 1.6 DIG-T 163
| £25,380
Maximum speed: 124mph | 0-62mph: 9.1 seconds | Test Average: 43.2mpg
Power: 160bhp | Torque: 177lb ft | CO2: 138g/km
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