Test Car Specifications
Model tested: Nissan Qashqai Tekna+ xTronic
Pricing: £36,125 as tested; range starts at £23,535
Engine: 1.3-litre mild-hybrid
Transmission: xTronic CVT, front-wheel drive
Body style: five-door compact SUV
CO2 emissions: 143g/km (VED Band 131-150: £220 in year one, £155 years 2-5)
Combined economy: 44.8mpg
Top speed: 124mph
0-62mph: 9.2 seconds
Power: 156hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 270Nm at 1,800-3,750rpm
Boot space: 436 litres
What's this?
This is the new and improved Nissan Qashqai. It has a more edgy design that tries to to be just a little upmarket with things like its name embossed in the front bumper, signature boomerang-shaped LED lights and even the option of Nappa leather inside. It's come a long way since the days of the original.
Not surprisingly it looks much bigger than the original too, but not as much as the design makes you think. It's 35mm longer the last generation, but only 110mm longer than the 2007 model. It's only 10mm higher than the original too, but it has widened a little, by 55mm. This all means that while it looks like it has expanded, it's still fairly compact and perfect for jostling with all the thousands of other urban crossovers in our city streets.
It is larger inside though, mainly due to the switch to a new platform from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance called CMF-C. This means more leg and headroom, especially for those sitting in the back seats and a slight increase in boot space. Plus it's packed with tech, from a digital instrument cluster and slightly average touchscreen infotainment screen to the largest head-up display in the segment and a mild-hybrid system which runs the start-stop and in some models provides a coasting function.
There are five trim levels; Visia, Acenta, N-Connecta, Tekna and Tekna+. The entry-level Visia starts things off with a price of £23,535 but really it's the rental company spec model and frankly Nissan GB didn't want us to go anywhere near it so we'll move on. Acenta and N-Connecta models have the choice of manual or xTronic auto transmissions as well as the low output 138hp engine or the high output 116hp version. Not surprisingly the Tekna models offer the best luxury and features and Nissan says it expects these to be the biggest sellers along with the N-Connecta trim.
How does it drive?
All models use an updated version of the 1.3-litre petrol that was in the previous gen Qashqai. It now has a 12-volt mild-hybrid system though, which provides a 6Nm boost of torque as well as having a few other tricks up its sleeve. It's not a proper hybrid by any means and if if you want real electrification you'll have to wait until the e-Power versions come long in 2022 with an engine that acts as a generator for an electric motor, like a Vauxhall Ampera or a BMW i3 range extender.
It's not the most powerful of engines in the class, something that really shows in the six-speed manual where you have to change down regularly to maintain any kind of decent forward momentum. Surprisingly that means we're recommending the xTronic CVT auto - yes really, a CVT. This one is rather good though. It's smooth, responsive with acceptable lag and the paddle shifters are made of metal like a posh saloon or exotic sports car. Not that you'll use them mind, there isn't enough power to get really involved in the drive and so it's auto all the way really.
The xTronic transmission also contributes to additional weight. Lesser models are 60kg lighter than the previous gen, but Tekna versions with their luxury, 20-inch wheels and xTronic gearbox are 82kg heavier. Plus they get multi-link rear suspension, all of which when combined makes for a much smoother ride with significantly less pitching at the front end of things. Granted this means stumping up more cash but if you can then you'll thank us for it.
The ergonomics are good with everything easy to access and Nissan has stayed clear of putting everything in the touchscreen, so you get buttons and dials on the centre console and steering wheel for many of the essentials. That includes the cruise control which can require hitting a few buttons before you actually manage to get the thing to work properly.
Overall the drive is good, certainly perfect for most urban commuters, school run parents and rural wanderers.
Verdict
Life hasn't been easy for the Qashqai lately. Everywhere it looks it sees rivals that are more stylish, better equipped, better engineered. The third generation arrives to take them on, but whether it will win out in the way it has in the past we're not so sure.
Exterior Design
Interior Ambience
Passenger Space
Luggage Space
Safety
Comfort
Driving Dynamics
Powertrain
