The evergreen Nissan Qashqai has ingrained itself as a staple product in Nissan South Africa’s SUV line-up, and a favourite among buyers in that segment. It’s also just been refreshed with updated styling and technology. BERNIE HELLBERG looks at what’s new on the facelifted Qashqai.
To say that the Nissan Qashqai is a popular SUV is not exactly true. Firstly, and more accurately, it is a crossover or activity vehicle, and secondly, it is very much an iconic of the local motor industry. In spite of, or perhaps, because of the unusual name that it inherited from a Nomadic Persian tribe.
As an update to the Qashqai’s second generation, the facelifted model now offers a range of technological enhancements and styling updates to see it through another few years before the next generation will inevitably come rolling along.
LOOKING GREAT
Key to the Qashqai’s success over the last 11 years has been it’s distinctive design, especially up front, and the refreshed version continues this legacy with a set of newer, sharper headlights, LED daytime running lights, and a brand new V-motion grille interpretation set deep into the restyled front bumper.
The boomerang-shaped daytime running lights set the visual tone with a string of nine LEDs that add loads of new-generation presence, while the clam-shell bonnet has also been redesigned.
At the rear, the bumper is new, although the taillight design has not changed in the last four years.
Handsome new wheel designs are offered across the range in 17″ or 19″ options, and although the update has extended the car’s overall width by a slight 17 mm, interior packaging has remained unchanged, as has available interior and boot space.
NEW ENVIRONMENT
Naturally, Nissan has also significantly updated the Qashqai’s interior by upping the ante on the quality front and upgrading the technology offering too.
Most apparent is the new steering wheel design with its distinctive ‘D’ shape and steering-mounted controls, while it is equally clear when slipping into the enhanced comfort of the newly-designed seats. Made for long-distance family travel, the Qashqai is now even better at transporting its charges in practical luxury.
Smallanyana updates include new-style stitching in some places, new designs for the door handles and air vents, and one-touch electric windows will make living with the Qashqai a significantly more relaxed experience.
Buyers can opt for a new 7-speaker premium BOSE sound system, although the standard system that is available from the entry-grade 1.2 Visia upward is good enough to satisfy most audiophiles’ basic needs.
Although the touchscreen interface is new across the board, I still found it cumbersome to use. This experience is likely to improve with regular use, as there’s only so much time available to familiarise yourself with a new system like this on a launch drive.
Not much has changed in the new Qashqai from a practical point of view, the load bay still offers 430 litres of standard space, while this can increase to 680 litres by folding down the 60:40 split rear seats.
DRIVEABILITY
Nissan reckons the riding dynamics of the improved Qashqai have been “enhanced” by re-tuning the dampers and increasing the stiffness of the anti-roll bar. In theory, these changes should improve overall ride quality and feedback, and although one may imagine that you can actually feel the difference while driving, it’s near impossible to tell without a side-by-side drive with the previous model.
What was noticeable though, is how remarkably quiet the cabin has become, courtesy of additional sound insulation, thicker glass panes in the rear doors and improved seals. In the game, we collectively refer to such improvements as reducing levels of noise, vibration and harshness – the difference between a smooth driving experience and a harsher, grittier drive overall.
The new Qashqai is undoubtedly of the former persuasion.
While smoothing over the bumpiest Joburg roads might be a goal in itself for some, it’s good to know that Nissan has also added loads of new safety and support tech to keep your Qashqai experience on par with other new models in Nissan’s range of SUVs and crossovers.
Nissan calls it Intelligent Mobility (NIM), and it is a suite of systems that includes a blind spot warning system, emergency braking, and one of my personal favourites, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning as seen on the updated X-Trail and the new Patrol. Although not available on all new Qashqai models, NIM also brings Around View Monitor, Intelligent Cross Traffic Alert, and Moving Object Detection to the driver assistance party.
MODELS AND ENGINES
No fewer than eight new models make up the Qashqai line-up, ranging from the entry-grade 1.2 Visia (R334,900) to the range-topping 1.5 dCi Tekna (R434,000) that delivers 81 kW of power and 260 Nm of torque from its 1,461 cc turbodiesel powerplant. Powering petrol models – including Visia and Acenta – but no Tekna grade, is a 1,997 cc turbo engine with 85 kW and 190 Nm of torque with either a six-speed manual transmission or CVT on offer. Diesels only get the manual option.
LAST WORD
Nissan cannot be accused of playing it safe with the upgraded Qashqai. On the contrary, by adding some much needed new technology and an overall great-looking new styling signature, the Qashqai will continue to outgun some of its rivals. That is until something really mega – like a new Toyota RAV – comes along to upset the apple cart. But, until then, and rightly so, it’s going to be plain sailing for the new Qashqai in the sales charts.
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG | Images © NISSAN SOUTH AFRICA
