Bay Harbour: August 30, 2023

24 Bay Harbour News Wednesday August 30 2023
Nissan’s Qashqai a strong performer
Motoring with Bob Nettleton
THE QASHQAI compact
urban SUV, with its inventive
fuel-saving low-emission hybrid
technology, is a breakthrough
model for Nissan in this part of
the world.
A new platform underpins this
latest Qashqai, with increased
torsional stiffness provided by
greater use of high-strength steel.
Despite an increase in stiffness,
the body shell is a remarkable
60kg lighter than before.
In Europe and the UK, they
love the Qashqai. On this side of
the world it is, at best, a steady
seller. The company is expecting
big things from this latest model,
which offers a step up in refinement,
safety and technology
– and unfortunately prices, compared
to the vehicle it replaces.
Affordability could be an issue
with the entry level ST kicking
off at $45,990, $8k more than the
outgoing model. There no hiding
the fact this is a big increase
over the previous version, even
allowing for major advances on
every front. You do get more
Qashqai for your dollar with
this latest iteration bigger across
the board. It’s 4425mm long
(+31mm), 1625mm tall (+30mm),
and 1835mm wide (+29mm),
while the wheelbase has grown to
2665mm (+19mm).
HANDY: The motion-activated tailgate is great if you’re
juggling luggage.
REFINEMENT: The Nissan Qashqai offers plenty of technology, leading edge safety features
and more sophisticated rear suspension across every model.
There’s plenty of technology,
leading edge safety features, and
a more sophisticated multi-link
rear suspension set-up across
every model. There’s also more
variety in the powertrain department,
with a new and feisty
1.3-litre turbo petrol, and the
option of Nissan’s innovative
e-POWER hybrid system. This
carries a $7k price premium over
the turbo petrol motor.
Petrol, not e-power, dominates
the six strong model range,
which comprises four petrol variants
starting with the price leading
$45,995 ST and stretching to
$56,990 for the flagship Ti-L.
E-power is limited to the
upmarket Ti and Ti-L priced at
$59,990 and $65,680 respectively.
The latter version of this duo was
supplied for this road test. These
hefty asking prices put the Qashqai
at the high end of its class. In
fact, you can buy its larger sibling
the X-Trail e-power in the same
upmarket spec for another $1200.
For that modest investment, you
get a larger vehicle, greater versatility
and the better re-sale of an
AWD SUV.
Most hybrid systems use
an electric motor and a petrol
engine to drive their wheels.
Nissan’s e-POWER does things
differently with its wheels powered
exclusively by an electric
motor. The e-POWER system
was first seen in the Japan-only
Nissan Note in 2016, powering
on from that initial success to
claim best-selling car in Japan
two years later.
The second-generation
e-POWER technology used
in the latest Qashqai pairs the
effortless acceleration and refined
performance of an electric motor,
similar in size and power output
to those fitted in pure Nissan’s
EVs. It’s a strong high-energy
performer with 140kw of power
and 330nm of torque to take
command of most driving scenarios.
Thanks to the pure electric
motor, there’s none of the power-delivery
hesitancy associated
with an internal combustion engine
or traditional hybrid set-ups.
The instant response provides a
high-torque feel and exhilarating
acceleration, on lower fuel use
and emissions.
The e-POWER system delivers
its torque almost instantly,
enhancing the vehicle’s responsiveness.
A new-generation CVT
(Constant Variable Transmission)
delivers better fuel economy
and produces a lot less friction.
There are three drive modes at
your disposal, Eco, Normal and
Sport. All these upgrades are big
improvements on the lethargic
CVT that blunted the performance
of the previous model.
For a compact urban SUV this
one is roomier than most, with
plenty of passenger and load
space. The Ti-L supplied for this
road test is the jewel in the Qashqai
crown and sparkles when it
comes luxury features.
There’s a panoramic glass
roof and electric sunshade, a
black headliner and ambient
interior lighting. Cabin technology
features a 10.8-inch colour
head-up display, and a premium
10-speaker BOSE audio system.
The seats are accented in plush by
rather dated looking 3D quilted
premium leather, with memory
and massage functions for frontseat
passenger and driver.
A motion activated tailgate is
great if you’re juggling an armful
of groceries in the supermarket
car park. Simply wave your hand
or foot at the tailgate and the rear
hatch opens like magic.
Nissan Intelligent Mobility
safety features are impressive.
It includes Intelligent Cruise
Control, Forward Emergency
Braking, plus pedestrian, cyclist,
and junction detection capabilities.
You also have peace-of-mind
safety in the form of Lane Departure
Warning and Departure
Prevention and Blind Spot Warning.
High Beam Assist makes
DIY dipping of your headlights
at night for on-coming traffic a
thing of the past.
A lot of hype surrounds the
new Qashqai’s advanced multi-link
rear suspension. This configuration
means it excels when
subjected to sudden direction
changes, or different road cambers.
Well-controlled body-roll,
comfort and the effective isolation
of road noise and vibrations
from the passenger compartment
are among the best in the compact
urban SUV class.
There been a rework of the
steering with revised ratios
offering quicker corner turn-in
response. I’m not sure this rejig
hits all its KPIs. Overall, it puts in
a solid effort. However, at times
the steering felt light and a bit
thin on road feel and is an area
that isn’t as accomplished as the
rest of the vehicle.
Rating out of 10:
Performance 8; Handling
7; Build Quality 7; Comfort
7; Space 7; Styling 8; Fuel
Economy; On road test
average consumption
5.8L/100km; Value for
money 6; Safety, 5-star
ANCAP crash rating; Clean
car rebate, none. Overall
points out of 10: 7
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