Road Test - Nissan Qashqai

14 April 2007

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Nissan Qashqai on the road review

Not content with a simple hatchback, or an SUV, manufacturers are increasingly looking for alternative vehicles to lure customers. The latest craze is Crossovers, which literally is a cross between a compact agile family hatchback and a strong sporty practical SUV.

The latest and probably most distinctive of these is Nissan’s offering that of the Qashqai - pronounced Cash Kai. Still no wiser? Don’t’ worry, and takes its name from a desert dwelling nomadic tribe living near the Zagros mountains in South Western Iran. It translates as Urban Nomad.

Effectively the Qashqai is two cars rolled into one. The top half resembling a passenger car whilst the lower portion au fair with an SUV thanks to the pronounced flared wheel arches covering the 16-inch alloy wheels, and small elevated ground clearance and a masculine stance. The result so a vehicle compact enough for the city but tough enough for journeys in the country.

Three trims are available now to purchase, the Visia, Acenta and Tekna all on a 1.6 petrol engine but with the option to upgrade to either a 2.0 litre petrol, a 1.5 diesel or 2.0 litre diesel, and the option to specify either 2WD or 4WD, a manual gearbox, six speed automatic or CVT. Prices start from £13,499 for the Visia rising to £16,400 for the Tekna then you simply add on your upgrades for engine choices or pay the £1500 to upgrade your trims. There are only a few optional extras so buyers know exactly what they are paying for with no hidden extras.

The first thing I noticed about the Quashqai was how much smaller it actually was. The adverts and posters imply a much larger car but in fact the Qashqai, despite being slightly taller than your average hatchback, takes up no more space than say the Ford Focus. It is obviously smaller than your average SUV yet claims the same in terms of practicality. This is the whole idea of a crossover, to give families a vehicle practical enough for their everyday needs, but with the ability to go a bit mental if desired and believe me as the children get older, I am finding myself going a bit, shall we say, ‘ambitious’ on certain roads and terrains. But it so nice to have that option.

Thanks to the high roofline, and high seating position enhanced further by the height adjustable steering wheel, drivers of the Qashqai have not just a raised vantage point but also more interior leg, shoulder and headroom. This equates to a bright airy cabin and with the panoramic glass sunroof with sunblind, optional on the Acenta but standard with the Tekna trim, the cabin is a very nice place to be in. The controls are well placed for drivers ease and the instrument dials are protected from the suns rays by being in a deep recessed tube. Standard on all models is electric windows, electrically adjustable door mirrors, manual air conditioning and CD with Bluetooth but without any wires as the system detects your phone and you simply speak into the microphone. The Acenta is a more driver friendly trim adding on rain sensing wipers, auto lighting system, 6 CD interchanger, dual zone climate control, leather steering wheel and ultrasonic rear park system. While the Tekna will appeal to the sportier of customers with the panoramic glass roof, 17" alloy wheels, auto dimming mirrors, full leather and heated seats (front) finishing off with Xenon headlamps. The only optional extras are ESP, metallic paint and a sat navigation system.

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