Auto-biographies New Nissan Qashqai
by Tim Barnes-Clay Motoring Writer at
www.carwriteups.co.uk
The latest Nissan Qashqai is available in four time-honoured grades: Visia, Acenta, Acenta Premium and Tekna. The model tested here comes in flagship Tekna trim. But we’ll come to that in a bit. Firstly, here’s some background.
The second generation, family oriented car is now longer, lower and wider, giving it a more imposing stance while maintaining a raised driving position. The vehicle under review is front-wheel drive, the set-up which Nissan says will account for most sales, but all-wheel drive is available too.
The Qashqai’s exterior looks modern and there’s a better quality feel to the cabin - perfect for many years of hardcore family use. The range-topping Tekna model features an array of technologies that highlight the Japanese motor manufacturer’s lead in the crossover market.
But hang on, what is a crossover vehicle? Well, it’s a motor built on a car platform, combining characters of a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) with elements from an estate or a hatchback. The crossover mixes SUV design cues such as tall interior packaging, lofty seating, high centre of gravity and elevated ground-clearance with car-like handling and good fuel economy.
Anyway, back to the Tekna trim Qashqai under review. The Nissan benefits from darkness piercing Bi-LED headlamps and it excels when it comes to kit. The car comes equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, part-leather seats, a large glass roof, heated seats, and front and rear parking sensors. There’s also a seven-inch touchscreen display, DAB digital radio, and smartphone connectivity.
The Qashqai is available with a petrol or 68
diesel engine; the review car came with turbocharged petrol power. But it turns out that the Nissan doesn’t need anything huge under the bonnet to deliver a first-rate drive.
Motoring through a six-speed manual
transmission, the 1.2-litre engine packs a punch, offering sharper acceleration and greater flexibility than the first generation Qashqai’s 1.6-litre unit.
Despite its modest size, the engine’s low weight and more fuel-efficient operation also mean it’s cleaner and more economical than the model it replaces. The 1.2 engine emits just 129g/km of CO2 (15g/km less than the outgoing 1.6-litre petrol unit), and has an average fuel consumption figure of 50.4mpg.
Being a family car, you’d expect safety to be a priority for the Qashqai – and you’d be right. The Nissan features a host of innovative safety features which helped it confidently pass all Euro NCAP’s tests to record the maximum five-star rating.
Engineered to offer the best possible levels of protection for children, the fresh Qashqai particularly shone in the Child Occupant tests. Based on readings from the dummies used in tests, the Qashqai scored maximum points for its protection of an 18-month old infant.
On that basis alone, I’m sold on the car – but then I do have an 18 month old and two other small children to take to school. I can definitely see the appeal – and so, it seems, do other parents. Yep, buy this car and your offspring will be safe from harm – even if it means you lose all individuality when you merge into the vast sea of other Nissan Qashqais parked outside the school gates!
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