Nissan’s little SUV still punching above its weight
Peter Atkinson |
When SUVs are (almost) the only thing you make, you’d better be very good at making them.
Fortunately for Japanese giant Nissan, they are.
With a fleet comprising no fewer than six SUVs or 4WD utes and just two “passenger vehicles” – the sexy, two-door Z and the electric Leaf – Nissan’s eggs remain heavily weighted in the one basket.
Fortunately the world isn’t likely to end its love-affair with SUVs anytime soon, whether it be soft-roaders, off-roaders or those that are slightly elevated wagons.
That description certainly fits the Qashqai, the most recent addition to the Nissan family and, just now, released in its third-generation guise. It only joined the Nissan SUV lineup at the expense of the Dualis about a decade ago but has firmly established itself as one of the marque’s go-to models.
It’s one of just three volume-selling models to be almost simultaneously released onto the Australian market.
It’s an interesting tactic as most manufacturers prefer to space out the obsolescence of retiring models – the logic being that at least one new models in the showroom can drag in tyre-kickers who might look elsewhere in the range.
The Qashqai tested here, the X-Trail and an all-new Pathfinder which have all undergone major reconstructive surgery.
That follows the release of the baby Juke last year, and of course the arrival of the all-new sporty sixth-generation Z model.
Fittingly, the Qashqai (pronounced cash-kye) is first cab as the most recent addition to the Nissan SUV showcase.
The three-models-at-once approach has helped ensure the best-possible adherence to the new style language across the Nissan range – with all three new models unmistakably sharing the same DNA and design ethic.
The Qashqai is arguably the best-looking of this Nissan generation with its beautifully proportioned size a great canvas for its sweet styling.
Some critics have already observed it was also better to drive than its bigger sibling the X-Trail. That will be put to the test soon.
The Qashqai blends impressive road manners (be warned, X-Trail drivers) with a sturdy, sporty appearance and up-market presentation – particularly inside where it looks and feels like a bigger, more expensive vehicle (steady on, X-Trail drivers).
This third-generation Qashqai (the first edition wore a Dualis badge for a few years) has stepped things up impressively in the car’s technology and driving dynamics, in particular – despite a smaller engine than in the previous model.
A somewhat surprising contributor to this improved driving dynamics is the Constantly Variable Transmission (CVT) favoured by Nissan – a transmission style that has been criticised in recent years.
Not this time, though. Nissan’s tweaking of this smooth-as-silk self-shifter has delivered, at long last, a CVT that actually enhances the driving experience.
It helps they are probably the most frugal transmission systems getting around – but this is one of the few we could live with on the score of driving enjoyment.
That “best-ever” sentiment spreads throughout the whole vehicle. While the previous version of the Qashqai was good, this one raises the bar in just about every way.
It steers accurately and with impressive balance, it is markedly quieter than the model it replaces and, in keeping with the latest trend, makes excellent use of its beautiful, vivid touch-screen multi-media display.
Sharp graphics and dazzling colours ensure this is a centrepiece of the nicely styled, beautifully delivered cockpit, and particularly the thoughtfully designed dash. The touch-screen commands most functions with just the climate control arranged nicely below, in a minimalist cockpit.
The only slight bugbear was the location of the start button – pushed down and out of the way in the little binnacle beneath the centre stack – meaning if your sunglasses are already in the storage space, the start button is hidden from view. No biggie – owners will get used to it in no time.
Another interior feature is the sturdy, chunky and flat-bottomed steering wheel which is designed in such a way that it allows a full, uncluttered view of the instrument panel through the arch of the wheel.
There’s also a cool little chunky gear-shifter which slides forward and back to effortlessly ensure you’re heading in the correct direction.
That’s attached to the smart CVT which impresses everywhere – with a quick take-up of the clutch when leaving the lights, giving long-legged performance on the open road and always seems to find the correct ratio whether you’re overtaking or pottering around the shops.
The engine is a thing to behold – measuring only 1.3-litres and 4 cylinders, it pushes out a respectable 110kw and 250Nm thanks to a well-matched turbo charger.
Yet despite its economical size it feels even more zippy than you might imagine. And on the plus side is the car’s frugal 6.1L/100km thirst.
The Qashqai range starts from a very accessible $33,890 for the basic ST model, maxing out with the flagship Ti, which will set you back a hefty $47,390. Four variants in all, each with the same engine and transmission – a move that makes perfect sense given the drivetrain’s engaging style.
The penultimate variant, the ST-L tested here, gets most of the goodies afforded to the top-spec model, apart from its cloth trim (the top model gets leather). The only things missing from the ST-L are a sunroof and, sadly, a head-up display – a feature that would come in handy in this free-running little hatch. Still, it represents good value at $42,190.
There’s no questioning the Qashqai’s strong urban appeal – from its ease of driving to its economical performance and, of course, its compact size to allow ease of parking and navigating busy traffic.
And If the people at your local Nissan dealership are looking slightly frazzled, it’s probably because they’re having trouble telling the new models apart.
NISSAN QASHQAI ST-L
HOW BIG? Officially a compact, but it’s quite roomy. Cargo space gets a big squeezed by that sloping rear-end.
HOW FAST? Surprisingly so. Zippy rather than speedy, though.
HOW THIRSTY? Official is a modest 6.1L/100km
HOW MUCH? Prices start from $33,890. As tested here, the ST-L is $42,190.
AAP
