Everyone buys SUVS so here are the Nissan Qashqai

Frédéric Mercier

Tuesday, 24 October 2017 07:30

UPDATE
Tuesday, 24 October 2017 07:30

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In a market where buyers are increasingly leaving the car for the benefit of small SUV, Nissan hopes to hit a home run with its new Qashqai.

Yes, Qashqai. Funny name, indeed.

I say that it is new, but this is true only half. Freshly arrived in North America, this small SUV rolls up his kicker for a long time already on several other continents.

Here, however, Nissan has never thought it wise to import it. Except that, considering the scope of the request, the japanese automaker takes a chance and offers a sixth (!) SEEN in Canada.

Nissan Qashqai 2017

Frédéric Mercier

Tunes family

The Qashqai might be brand new to us, but her smile cannot deceive anyone. It is a Nissan, no doubt about it. To a point where it becomes easy to confuse it with the Rogue, just a little bigger.

With his size, however, the Qashqai comes in to play directly in the flat-band models smaller than the Rogue. The Mazda CX-3, Honda HR-V, and Ford EcoSport which is expected within a few months, will be among its biggest rivals.

With a base price of $ 19 998$, the strategy of Nissan is clear with the Qashqai. We want to entice consumers by the portfolio. Even in this entry-level version, the Qashqai offers some amenities such as heated front seats, rearview camera and Bluetooth connectivity. As basic equipment, we’ve seen worse.

Versions SV and SL add little by little, going so far as to propose a wide range of technologies driving assistance. But be careful, because the price can climb pretty quickly. Our test model, an SL, well equipped, came with a bill of 34 283$.

Nissan Qashqai 2017

Frédéric Mercier

An interior that is well thought out

Despite its compact size, the Qashqai not surprise a space inside more than acceptable. In front as in rear of the legroom and the head room is no problem.

Nissan Qashqai 2017

Frédéric Mercier

As with all products Nissan, the weak point of the interior of the Qashqai is its infotainment system. With a view of low quality and a lack of intuitiveness, and the small touch screen of the Qashqai lagging several years behind what happens in the competitors.

And don’t even think about using the GPS system offered as an option. The directions are imprecise and sometimes even incorrect. Nissan is due for a change at this chapter, and it press.

Nissan Qashqai 2017

Frédéric Mercier

At the rear, with a loading capacity of 566 litres in the boot, the Qashqai is rather good compared to its competitors. It is better than what was proposed in the Chevrolet Trax or the or the Mazda CX-3, but less than Honda and HR-V. By lowering the rear seat, you can even pass the loading space to a little over 1500 litres.

Nissan Qashqai 2017

Frédéric Mercier

Efficient, but boring

Under the hood, a single engine takes place, regardless of the version. It is a block four-cylinder 2.0-liter developing 141 horsepower and 147 pound-feet of torque. Once again, it is in the average.

Two transmissions are offered. A manual six reports team the grind, but an automatic CVT (continuously variable transmission) can also be ordered.

Nissan Qashqai 2017

Frédéric Mercier

With the automatic, Nissan managed to go for a consumption of fuel truly impressive. Cog full premium, the Qashqai equipped with a CVT displays consumption ratings official of 9.1 L/100 km city and 7.5 L/100 km on the highway. And it is feasible, because after a week of driving as much urban as road, I have compiled an average a very respectable 8.5 L/100 km.

Unfortunately, this frugality comes at a price. With the Qashqai automatic, forget the pleasure. As soon as you press on the gas the transmission seems to lose all its bearings and is not able to fetch the best of the small four-cylinder engine.

Conducting “ordinary”, the CVT is a work without flaw. But when we need a bit of power, it is zero. During overtaking manoeuvres, for example, it can quickly become irritating.

Fortunately, there’s always the manual transmission. Except that it is only available with the versions two-wheel-drive. To be eligible for the cog full, it is automatic or it is nothing.

Nissan Qashqai 2017

Frédéric Mercier

Nissan m not reinventing the wheel with his “new” Qashqai. Except that with a proven mechanical, a fuel consumption reasonable, and a good price, the small SUV has almost all the ingredients for success with us.

Remains only to learn how to properly pronounce his name!

Nissan Qashqai 2017

Frédéric Mercier

Technical data sheet

Name : Nissan Qashqai 2017
Base price: 19 998$
Model tested: SL
Price of model tested: 34 283$
Configuration : Vehicle with two or four-wheel drive with engine at the front
Basic mechanical: four-cylinder Engine 2.0 L
Power/torque: 141 hp/ 147 lb-ft
Transmission : Manual six-speed or continuously variable automatic (CVT)
Fuel consumption announced (AWD): 9.1 L/100 km (city), 7.5 L/100 km (highway)
Fuel consumption, observed: 8.5 L/100 km
Warranty basic : 3 years/60 000 km
Competition: Honda HR-V, Chevrolet Trax, Mazda CX-3, Jeep Renegade