Nissan Qashqai“The adventurous, five-door Qashqai shuns conventionality” says Nissan, and if they were claiming that it looks distinct from the mass of ‘crossovers’ as they are now known, they’d be right. More likely, they’re eulogising about the car’s ability to be different things to different folk, and I guess they’re accurate there too, though the number of manufacturers making similar claims for their products grows daily.There are two Qashqai models, one with five seats, while the other, the Qashqai+2, caters for families requiring seven. Since launch in March 2007, the Qashqai has turned into the fastest selling model in the history of Nissan Europe and over 500,000 had been delivered by the end of 2009.Nissan, like most of their competitors, are seeking to cover all corners of the market place. However, what most have not yet succumbed to is an admission that crossovers are largely bought by those who like the look of the things, rather than those who have regular need to head off into the forests on four wheels. Nissan saw the light, and consequently have offered a two-wheel drive version of the Qashqai, the advantages of which include a cheaper price tag and lower running costs. To be fair, they do point out that the primary function of 4WD transmission in a Qashqai is to provide better traction and more security in all conditions on the road. Sensibly therefore, the 4WD aspect – which is available with the larger petrol and diesel engines – is switchable by a rotary control behind the gear lever. The system has three modes: in 2WD, the car is permanently set in front-wheel drive, ideal for fine weather on-road use. When the Lock setting is pushed, the system switches to permanent four-wheel drive mode with drive split 50:50 front to rear. What’s likely to be the most often used mode, however, is ‘select-and-forget’ Auto, in which the system is left to its own devices. Sensors linking the engine’s ECU with the four-wheel drive and ABS controller constantly monitor wheel slippage and automatically send signals to the electromagnetic centre clutch mounted just ahead of the rear axle to apportion torque correctly.One significant addition to the range is the new ‘Pure Drive’ variant, which produces 129g/km of CO2, reduced from the 137g/km of the standard model. It’s been achieved via a weight reduction programme and the adoption of aerodynamic wheel covers, combined with the blanking of the fog lamp sockets and fitment of low rolling resistance tyres. Most importantly, however, the final drive ratio has been lengthened to keep the revs down.If you’re familiar with the old Qashqai, then you’ll recognise that the new car has a redesigned front end, but you won’t necessarily see the other benefits, such as greater storage space, standard ESP, and clearer white on black instruments. Four engines are offered and, as ever, the diesels are as refined and economic as we’ve come to expect of oil burners from the Renault/Nissan alliance.The car drives easily, and for a tall vehicle the roadholding is surprisingly exact; you can treat it like a standard family hatchback, and there’ll be no rude surprises. All major and minor controls have been wrapped around the driver, who is separated from the front seat passenger by an unusually high centre console. Incorporating a cutaway section on the driver’s side for the handbrake, this console also houses twin cup holders and a storage box with integrated sliding armrest. The Qashqai cabin is a comfortable place to be.Unlike the +2 seven seater, luggage space in the 5-seat Qashqai is pretty good with 410 litres minimum volume (14.5 cubic feet), rising to 1513 litres once the rear seats are folded. Folding the rear seats is easy. The base of the seat is fixed and all that’s required is a single-handled operation to fold each backrest section. When folded, the load floor is virtually flat from the tailgate to the back of the front seats, and there’s no need to remove the head restraints before folding the backrests. The presence of 4WD machinery under the floor does of course force a high floor and hence shallow luggage area, which is why it’s not necessary to move the seat cushion to get that flat floor.Crossovers have been good to Nissan, and now account for half of their sales and 60% of the ads. In addition to the Qashqai and top of the range Murano, Nissan will soon have the Juke crossover on the books, which being a smaller, less expensive machine, will increase the crossover percentage noticeably.Size:4.33m x 1.78mEngines: Petrol:1.6 litres – 115PS2.0 litres – 140PSDiesel:1.5 litres – 106PS2.0 litres – 150PSGearbox:5/6-speed manual FWD or 4WDBest Consumption:1.5 diesel Pure Drive – 57.6mpgPrice at June ’10:£15,395 to £24,695Full details of the Nissan Qashqai range available on the manufacturer’s website: www.nissan.co.ukPeter Cracknell - June 2010
Nissan Qashqai
“The adventurous, five-door Qashqai shuns
conventionality” says Nissan, and if they were
claiming that it looks distinct from the mass of
‘crossovers’ as they are now known, they’d be right.
More likely, they’re eulogising about the car’s ability
to be different things to different folk, and I guess
they’re accurate there too, though the number of
manufacturers making similar claims for their
products grows daily.
There are two Qashqai models, one with five seats,
while the other, the Qashqai+2, caters for families
requiring seven. Since
launch in March 2007,
the Qashqai has
turned into the fastest
selling model in the
history of Nissan
Europe and over
500,000 had been
delivered by the end
of 2009.
Nissan, like most of
their competitors, are
seeking to cover all
corners of the market
place. However, what
most have not yet
succumbed to is an
admission that
crossovers are largely bought by those who like the
look of the things, rather than those who have
regular need to head off into the forests on four
wheels. Nissan saw the light, and consequently have
offered a two-wheel drive version of the Qashqai, the
advantages of which include a cheaper price tag and
lower running costs. To be fair, they do point out that
the primary function of 4WD transmission in a
Qashqai is to provide better traction and more
security in all conditions on the road. Sensibly
therefore, the 4WD aspect – which is available with
the larger petrol and diesel engines – is switchable
by a rotary control behind the gear lever. The system
has three modes: in 2WD, the car is permanently set
in front-wheel drive, ideal for fine weather on-road
use. When the Lock setting is pushed, the system
switches to permanent four-wheel drive mode with
drive split 50:50 front to rear. What’s likely to be the
most often used mode, however, is ‘select-and-
forget’ Auto, in which the system is left to its own
devices. Sensors linking the engine’s ECU with the
four-wheel drive and ABS controller constantly
monitor wheel slippage and automatically send
signals to the electromagnetic centre clutch mounted
just ahead of the rear axle to apportion torque
correctly.
One significant addition to the range is the new ‘Pure
Drive’ variant, which produces 129g/km of CO2,
reduced from the 137g/km of the standard model. It’s
been achieved via a weight reduction programme
and the adoption of aerodynamic wheel covers,
combined with the blanking of the fog lamp sockets
and fitment of low rolling resistance tyres. Most
importantly, however, the final drive ratio has been
lengthened to keep the revs down.
If you’re familiar with the old Qashqai, then you’ll
recognise that the new car has a redesigned front
end, but you won’t necessarily see the other benefits,
such as greater storage space, standard ESP, and
clearer white on black instruments. Four engines are
offered and, as ever, the diesels are as refined and
economic as we’ve come to expect of oil burners from
the Renault/Nissan alliance.
The car drives easily, and for a tall vehicle the
roadholding is surprisingly exact; you can treat it like a
standard family hatchback, and there’ll be no rude
surprises. All major and minor controls have been
wrapped around the driver, who is separated from the
front seat passenger by an unusually high centre
console. Incorporating a cutaway section on the
driver’s side for the
handbrake, this console
also houses twin cup
holders and a storage box
with integrated sliding
armrest. The Qashqai cabin
is a comfortable place to
be.
Unlike the +2 seven seater,
luggage space in the 5-seat
Qashqai is pretty good with
410 litres minimum volume
(14.5 cubic feet), rising to
1513 litres once the rear
seats are folded. Folding
the rear seats is easy. The
base of the seat is fixed and
all that’s required is a
single-handled operation to fold each backrest section.
When folded, the load floor is virtually flat from the
tailgate to the back of the front seats, and there’s no
need to remove the head restraints before folding the
backrests. The presence of 4WD machinery under the
floor does of course force a high floor and hence
shallow luggage area, which is why it’s not necessary
to move the seat cushion to get that flat floor.
Crossovers have been good to Nissan, and now
account for half of their sales and 60% of the ads. In
addition to the Qashqai and top of the range Murano,
Nissan will soon have the Juke crossover on the
books, which being a smaller, less expensive machine,
will increase the crossover percentage noticeably.
Size:
4.33m x 1.78m
Engines:
Petrol:
1.6 litres – 115PS
2.0 litres – 140PS
Diesel:
1.5 litres – 106PS
2.0 litres – 150PS
Gearbox:
5/6-speed manual FWD or 4WD
Best Consumption:
1.5 diesel Pure Drive – 57.6mpg
Price at June ’10:
£15,395 to £24,695
Full details of the Nissan Qashqai range available on the
manufacturer’s website: www.nissan.co.uk
Peter Cracknell - June 2010
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