Andrew Muzamhindo Family members have long loved the Nissan Qashqai. It is a family-sized SUVs that gained popularity in 2007 thanks to the first-generation model, and by 2022 the competition had fully caught up.
Nissan recently expanded its model portfolio with a cutting-edge hybrid system. Customers can now choose between 1,5-litre full-fat hybrid engines or 1,3-litre mild hybrid engines.
Let us look at the Qashqai’s practicality, interior, running costs and engines.
How much space is there? The Qashqai was intentionally designed to be useful. There is more room for the driver and passengers because it is 32 mm longer and 35 mm broader on the outside than the previous model.
In the passenger compartment, there are plenty of storage spaces and USB charging stations. As you might anticipate for a car with such a high roofline, there is enough head and legroom in the front seats for anyone six feet tall.
In comparison to the previous model, there is now 28mm more shoulder room between the front passengers, 20mm more kneeroom for passengers in the back, larger cupholders, and additional storage for phones.
For a car in this class, there is sufficient space in the back. At the back, three persons can fit comfortably. It’s a terrific automobile for parents, especially those with kid seats, as getting in and out is very easy thanks to the doors’ 85-degree opening.
Storage The boot has 504 litres of capacity. Included in it is the extremely adaptable Flexible Luggage Board System, which features a range of depths and an integrated divider. It has plenty of room for tall objects, and the package shelf can tuck under the boot floor.
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A motorised tailgate is available, and it may be opened by waving your foot under the rear bumper, which is a way that is gaining popularity as a hands-free alternative. The inside has the two needed cupholders, a spacious glovebox, and a roomy cubbyhole under the armrest on the center console between the seats.
Easy to park Because the Qashqai isn’t much wider and longer than a typical hatchback like a Volkswagen Golf, parking it is simpler than you might imagine.
All vehicles, with the exception of the base Visia model, are equipped with front and rear parking sensors as well as cameras, making it simple to pull into and out of parking spaces. Once you are outside of town, the Qashqai’s fast steering and upright driving position make it simple to operate.
Safety Euro NCAP awarded the Nissan Qashqai a perfect score of five-out-of-five.
The Qashqai has automated emergency braking (AEB), blind spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition, and a driver attention alert system that prompts you to take a break if the vehicle notices that your concentration is waning or that you have been on the road for an excessive amount of time.
On the Tekna and N-Connects versions, the Tech packs are reserved for the superb ProPilot+ system with head-up display, and they are well worth the investment. As long as you maintain your hands on the wheel, this device aids with motorway driving by improving steering function at speed. Do not assume that it is an autonomous system; you must continue to pay attention to the road.
If you don’t want to go all the way, lane-keeping assistance is available too.
Basic equipment The basic equipment list includes equipment that is standard across all versions of the Nissan Qashqai SUV:
- 3×3 point rear seat belts
- ABS
- Alarm
- Audio remote
- CD
- Driver’s airbag
- Electric mirrors
- Front electric windows
- Heated mirrors
- Isofix child seat anchor points
- Parking sensors
- PAS
- Passenger’s airbag
- Rear electric windows
- Remote locking
- Side airbags
- Steering wheel rake adjustment
- Steering wheel reach adjustment
- Quality is much better than old model
- New infotainment set-up very effective
- Seats supportive, massaging function optional
How is the quality and layout? The inside is an improvement over the previous one, and while it may not quite be the pinnacle of minimalist design, it is unquestionably among the best.
The seats are roomy and well-shaped, and more expensive models have pleated facings on appealing soft-feel leather finishes. It seems sturdy, and the materials are of the same high calibre as everything made by Volkswagen, although it lags somewhat below the nicely finished Mazda CX-5.
The driving posture is good with the exception of a hefty A-pillar that can obstruct your view into roundabouts and angled crossroads. The controls are conveniently located and easy to use. You will be pleased to see physical controls for the climate control system even if the majority of the car’s features are controlled by a touchscreen.
Nissan claims that its consumers desire traditional controls, and they do. In the high-end Tekna variant, front-seat occupants are also treated to massaging seats, a first for Nissan. They obviously contribute to comfort over long distances, although they are not nearly as effective as the system found in the Peugeot 3008.
Infotainment and tech A head-up display and a completely programmable digital screen are both located behind the steering wheel. Along with wireless Apple CarPlay, Google Streetview, and the choice of Amazon Alexa voice recognition, there is a new 9,0-inch infotainment system. It connects to your smartphone fast and easily, being speedy and user-friendly.
It’s a major deal that Nissan’s ProPilot semi-autonomous car technology, originally seen in the Leaf, is now available since it can make driving in congested areas far less stressful. The system locks you into the middle of the lane and places you a predetermined distance behind the vehicle in front.
In stop-and-go traffic, it can slow down to 0km/h and begin moving whenever the vehicle in front of it moves. In actual use, it performs admirably and has the extra benefit of being simple to turn off when traveling on winding roads, which often confuse these systems. ProPilot can scan traffic signs and communicate with the car’s built-in sat-nav to modify the speed of the vehicle based on the posted speed limit.
The mid-spec N-Connecta grades offer the most recent system. Additionally, there is an adaptive headlight system that modifies the form of the beam based on the traffic and the condition of the road.
For example, it can turn off a portion of the light temporarily to prevent dazzling approaching cars. While all cars have LED headlights, only higher-end models will be equipped with this technology. In use, the technology is really amazing and has never once irritated oncoming drivers during a long midnight journey.
Comfort You have a commanding perspective of the road ahead as you sit high up in the Qashqai. The majority of buyers will value this. Despite the fact that taller drivers might feel the seats don’t descend quite low enough.
On bad roads, there are some tremors, but the Qashqai excels because to its motorway refinement, with barely audible engine noise and low levels of wind noise. The seat support is great for individuals who travel long distances and can be improved with the optional massaging feature.
Verdict Yes, it’s a worth your attention, but with a few slight caveats. The Qashqai should be at the top of your buying list if you are looking for a medium-sized SUV. It is one of the most technologically advanced SUVs on the market, is quite enjoyable to drive and is available with a variety of petrol engines to meet your needs. — andrew@muzamhindo.com
