Anton Willemse Jnr has always been a cautious (some would even say closet) fan of the Nissan brand. It has brought us some truly great cars, like the Patrol, but it has also made some questionable decisions, such as the Juke. However, he believes that with the new Qashqai, it has certainly upped its game.
The new Qashqai is the third generation of Nissan’s small- to medium-sized SUV. A trailblazer for this now very popular segment, it was intended to be the ideal family vehicle and adventure weekend warrior, thanks to its versatility, abundance of space and more-than-adequate ground clearance. The newcomer continues with this trend and is a great choice for adventurous families who are eager to explore and blend the mundane with the amazing.
Looks are everything
Nissan describes the new model as redesigned, yet unmistakably Qashqai. This refers to the blend of hatchback compactness and SUV practicality which was pioneered with the first generation of the Qashqai and has been perfected over the years. The sleek design has yielded a very attractive car. It follows many of Nissan’s new design language cues, and the front end bears more than a passing resemblance to that of the previous-generation X-Trail and its little brother, the Magnite. The Qashqai has a very confident stance, thanks to the sharp LED lighting and the 19-inch alloys, which give it a menacing road presence. The one I sampled was magnetic blue with a pearl black roof and in this colour combination, it is a splendid sight to behold. Of course, there are several other two-tone colour options, but I am partial toward the blue two-tone finish.
This Qashqai isn’t only a pretty face, though. It has a very solid inside as well. No, I’m not referring to its personality… I mean the cabin! Nissan interiors had been a bit lacklustre in recent years, primarily due to the company’s very public corporate struggles. However, these issues have been rectified, and the cabin of the Qashqai is top-notch. It’s modern and refined without being pretentious. It looks great while still utilising materials that can face the abuse of time and toddlers, meaning that the usage of rigid plastics is present, but not on such a scale that it feels like a budget vehicle. It’s hidden well by some classy (even luxurious) design elements, such as spots of chrome and wood finishes, as well as the very sexy diamond stitching on the seats.
There is a clear focus on functionality and ergonomics, which means that you don’t have to shuffle through countless menus and sub-menus within the infotainment system just to adjust the climate control, for example. With that being said, it is not shy on tech features. The Qashqai has all the modern features one would expect from a vehicle of this calibre, including dual climate control, wireless charging, several USB type-C ports, a 7-inch driver display nestled between the classic analogue dials, as well as a few pleasant surprises such as the BOSE 10-speaker surround sound and wireless smartphone connectivity.
Debunking the misconceptions
In my line of work, there are certain constants such as small turbocharged engines generally yielding good fuel consumption and most CVTs being crappy. The latter came under siege after driving the all-new Qashqai, though. Let me explain why I’m no fan of CVT’s. There are some key issues in most of these transmissions – for example, if you have a heavy foot, it might allow the engine to over-rev rather than giving the correct simulated gear to keep the vehicle within the power band. A second common issue with a CVT is the rubber-band effect, which causes the vehicle to jolt around as the CVT system hunts for the correct gear. The Qashqai has none of that and it feels like a conventional auto box. The CVT feels certain and ready, and is well paired to the eager little 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo.
The engine has an output of 96kW and 240Nm for the manual entry-grade Visia, while the Acenta Xtronic has a sturdy 110kW and 250Nm on tap. This is a decent amount of power for a crossover SUV that tips the scales at around one-and-a-half tonnes. The powerplant is also tuned with town commuting in mind, and as a result, it yielded a very frugal 6.8 litres/100km in mixed urban driving during my test. As for the ride and handling, the previous generation was well-liked for its forgiving suspension setup, and the new model carries that torch exceptionally well. The monocoque construction keeps the Qashqai planted safely on the tar. It’s a comfortable and solid car to drive and the steering is responsive enough to have a bit of fun.
When it comes to safety, Nissan also has you covered. The Qashqai is available with six airbags and passive safety features that include ABS, EBD and electronic stability control. It also boasts Nissan’s flagship selection of semiautonomous features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and intelligent forward emergency braking. The latter allows the vehicle to make an emergency stop for either a pedestrian or a vehicle without driver input.
Is the price right?
The Qashqai starts at R568 200 for the entry-level Visia and goes up to R644 800 for the top-of-the-range two-tone Acenta Xtronic CVT. As for aftersales support, the Qashqai features a 3-year/90 000km service plan and a 6-year/ 150 000km warranty, with roadside assistance.
Verdict
So, is the Nissan Qashqai worth it? Well, its predecessors did extremely well, not only in South Africa but also in other global markets. As such, Nissan did not attempt to reinvent the wheel. Instead, it doubled down on a recipe that has garnered much praise over the years. The result is a vehicle that should undoubtedly be on your shopping list if you‘re in the market for a compact crossover. And that’s big praise considering how competitive the segment is.
