As before, buyers can choose between front and four-wheel drive versions. The front-wheel drive cars get a cheaper torsion beam rear suspension set-up, while those with All-Mode 4×4 get a more sophisticated independent rear suspension. The calibration has been performed in Europe to suit European tastes. Whether you choose front or rear wheel drive, the Qashqai benefits from Active Trace Control which monitors the behaviour and trajectory of the car, and applies subtle braking to deliver a function similar to a Limited Slip Differential, providing the best traction and the least understeer. There’s also a dual mode steering system which changes the weighting of the electrically-assisted rack when you select the Sport setting.
Buyers get the choice of two downsized petrol engines and two turbodiesels. The petrol units comprise an 113bhp 1.2-litre DIG-T powerplant that drives through a six-speed manual box or a 1.6-litre 148bhp DIG-T engine that develops a respectable 177lb/ft of torque. Most customers will doubtless be drawn to the diesels and here, there’s a choice between a 1.5-litre dCi co-developed with Renault, good for 108bhp, and benefiting from a revision of the engine’s internals to improve refinement. Or the 128bhp 1.6-litre dCi unit that is offered in either two or four-wheel drive guises. This engine is also sold with the Xtronic transmission, a stepped CVT gearbox.
Sleeker and more expensive-looking than its immediate predecessor, this Qashqai’s styling is certain to be a major attraction for previously floating voters. The tape measure indicates that it’s 49mm longer and 20mm wider than the old car, as well as 15mm lower.
Prices start at just over £17,500 and stretch to almost £28,000 for the range-topping all-wheel drive version, so they have crept up by £500 on average compared to the outgoing model. Upon closer inspection of the Qashqai, most would agree that this is a reasonable ask given the higher quality finish. The trim walk-up shouldn’t spark too many surprises either, starting with Visia grade and then progressing through Acenta, Acenta Premium and Tekna.
Even the entry-level model gets a decent bash at the equipment list, being furnished with cruise control, a stereo with USB and Bluetooth, heated body-coloured mirrors, air conditioning, stop/start and hill start assist.
Despite being a bigger and plusher car than its predecessor, it probably won’t surprise you to hear that the latest Qashqai betters it in terms of efficiency measures. The 1.2-litre DIG-T petrol engine manages 129g/km and 50.4mpg while the more powerful 1.6-litre DIG-T petrol unit also records 50.4mpg with emissions rated at 132g/km. The 1.5-litre dCi diesel is the engine to choose if you feel that fuel station pasties and chocolate bars are sabotaging your fitness regime. This gets 74.3 miles per gallon – and the 1.6-litre diesel isn’t that much worse. Here you get 119g/km and 61.4mpg if you go for a manual front-wheel drive version, with an equivalent four-wheel drive car registering 129g/km and 57.6mpg.
Nissan has taken a calculated gamble with this version of the Qashqai and it’s one that reflects subtle changes in the way we buy cars. In 2007, it was fashionable to ditch the family hatch in favour of something more outdoorsy. Fast forward to today and efficiency is the buzzword. The Qashqai couldn’t fight tomorrow’s battles looking quite so SUV. It needed to tone down, become sleeker and, yes, be a bit more like a conventional hatchback in profile. We think Nissan has judged this one perfectly. Time and again the company has been correct in predicting customer demand and having a product right there. That’s not about to change.
What demonstrates this more than anything is that of all the Qashqai variants that are being offered to the UK public, only two feature all-wheel drive. This is a car that no longer purports to be anything remotely off-road at all. Instead, it’s a model that plugs in to what buyers want, rather than what they immediately need. Even in these hard times, Nissan realises that a new car purchase needs to come with a dose of feel-good factor, perhaps now more than ever in fact. Given that reality, this Qashqai looks set to cash in.
Model: Nissan Qashqai
Price: Over £17,500
Engine: 113bhp 1.2 litre DIG-T powerplant (petrol), 1.6-litre 148bhp DIG-T engine (petrol), 108bhp 1.5-litre dCi (diesel), 128bhp 1.6-litre dCi unit (diesel)
Economy: 1.2-litre DIG-T petrol and 1.6-litre DIG-T petrol unit, 50.4mpg; 1.6-litre diesel, 61.4mpg
CO rating: 1.2-litre DIG-T petrol, 129g/km; 1.6-litre DIG-T petrol unit, 132g/km; 1.6-litre diesel, 119g/km