| Test drive | Nissan Qashqai |
Key Facts
Model tested: Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi Tekna 2WD
Pricing: £24,840 as standard; £25,365 as tested; Qashqai range starts at £17,995
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel
Transmission: six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door crossover
CO2 emissions: 99g/km
Combined economy: 74.3mpg
Top speed: 113mph
0-62mph: 11.9 seconds
Power: 110hp at 4,000rpm
Torque: 260Nm at 1,750- to 2,500rpm
Our view:
I've got to try and steer clear of the obvious 'qash qow' gag here, but crikey, Nissan invented a licence to print money when it came up with the Qashqai crossover. More than a million have been sold since the 'J10' appeared in 2007 and Nissan itself is happy to proclaim it is its 'most successful vehicle to date'. Indeed, it could be argued that the Qashqai began the whole consumer frenzy regarding crossovers; apart from someone I know who asserts that the Matra Rancho was the first of its type (he's sort of got a point, but I digress...), the Qashqai was the pioneer that blended hatchback underpinnings with SUV-like looks. This J11 model is all-new but can it continue the phenomenal achievements of its forebear?
Maybe there was a job lot of them on the first wave out of Sunderland, but the majority of new Qashqais I've seen have either been white or Ink Blue. The latter of these is an odd colour, which you'll either love or hate, but no matter what the exterior hue, the new Qashqai is a triumph of style over blandness. While the old car didn't suffer as a result of its nondescript exterior, it blended into a crowded car park so effectively it was practically invisible. The J11 is a superbly angular, creased creation. The fresh Nissan 'corporate face' works well and it looks suitably expensive, even if some will lament the fact it is visually almost identical to the larger X-Trail. Neat details like the chevron daytime running lamps, the wraparound rear light clusters and the kicked up three-quarter window line all bless the Qashqai with a taut shape. It really is rather splendid.
It should look expensive, mind, as this is the range-topping Tekna model. It runs on 19-inch alloys and features a wealth of interior kit - including touchscreen satnav, a full panoramic roof and leather trim - for its near-£25,000 asking price. Indeed, the only option on our car was £525 on metallic paint, so cruise control, dual-zone climate and a whole host of driver assistance software (like blind spot monitoring, lane assist and collision mitigation, for example) are also bundled into the package. It's therefore a decent price, but you can get into a Qashqai from £17,995 if you think the Tekna is pricey.
This luxury model's interior is marvellous, though. Japan never quite seems able to catch up with European standards when it comes to cabins but the Qashqai could be the exception to this rule. Piano black trim, a nice, shaped sweep to the top of the dashboard, excellent graphics for its in-cluster multifunction display - all of these are well-executed and there's none of the retro switchgear in here that can be found in many of its modern Asian competitors. It also has that commanding, high-up driving position that has made the car so beloved to British families, without the Nissan feeling big and unwieldy for urban driving.
In fact, no matter what road it's on, its driving manners are good. Granted, with 110hp it's hardly quick, but the 260Nm of torque available lower down the rev range somewhat bypasses the power deficit and makes the Qashqai 1.5 dCi feel admirably punchy. It's also a quiet engine, only really shouting if you try and extend it right round the rev counter, an activity which is always counterproductive in a small capacity turbodiesel anyway. On the plus side, it emits just 99g/km CO2, which means it'll cost private buyers nothing in terms of road tax and it should have merit as a company car too, given its BIK rate of 15 per cent. It won't hit the incredible 74.3mpg quoted economy figure, but it did return an indicated 64mpg on real, mixed routes, which is none too shabby at all for something this tall that is saddled with a 1,481kg kerb weight.
And the ride is always serene too, quelling roll and not introducing crashes, bangs and jolts into the proceedings; commendable, given it runs on relatively slender 45-section rubber. The brakes and throttle response are both well-judged and there's a nice amount of heft to the quick steering, even if it hasn't (understandably) got a lot of feel. The only slight gripes are with the manual gearbox's shift action, which can feel clunky from cold, and an occasional whistle from around the base of the windscreen at motorway speeds. This may have been specific to this particular car, as an intermittent and annoying trim rattle inside almost certainly was.
However, it's easy to see why the Qashqai is such a strong showroom contender. As small crossovers go, it's right up there as class leader in our opinion. It has refined driving characteristics and an intelligent interior (the two-stage boot floor and large cubby holes everywhere, including the biggest centre console cupholders we've seen, see to that), and it looks super-sharp on the outside and classy within. The engine is clean, efficient and tax-free, and it should be a reliable car that's easy to sell on once you've had your time with it. Yes, as cash cows go, the Qashqai is a brilliant piece of engineering. It's also so much more appealing than your standard hatchback and it's for that reason that the J11 is bound to eclipse the old model in terms of sales, which is no less than it deserves.
Alternatives:
Ford Kuga: while the second-gen car is bigger than the old one, it isn't quite as exciting to drive and the looks have lost some of their pertness. The Nissan eclipses it in most areas.
Honda CR-V: much more expensive than the Qashqai and with an interior that looks dated in places, the Honda is pleasant but not as capable all-round as the Nissan.
Mitsubishi ASX: great value, more powerful 2.2d engine, cheaper... yet the Nissan looks the better bet, thanks to a nicer cabin, a smoother drive and exterior charm.
