Nissan Qashqai test: a comeback

It’s a story that has lasted since 2007. At that time, raised vehicles were very rare on the market, intended for a very specific clientele of professionals and forest walkers. And now, a fine day arrives the Nissan Qashqai, bringing with it the name “crossover”, still completely unknown. If the reception was obviously cautious, even a little skeptical, success was nevertheless there for the one who became the pioneer of a segment which has continued to grow over the years. In all, no less than three million copies have been sold in Europe in fourteen years, including more than 300,000 in France alone over the same period. A real success for the one who remains today the best-seller of the brand on the Old Continent, even if sales have stagnated somewhat in recent years. Eclipsed by a Peugeot 3008 which still remains in the top 10 of the best-selling models in France, the one that has gradually transformed into an SUV was then gradually passed into the shadows.

More desirable than ever

Suffice to say that Nissan had every interest in making this 3rd generation a success, at the risk of losing a large part of its customers. We could therefore have believed that the brand was not going to get too wet, especially in terms of style. It’s bad to know her. The designers have indeed extensively reworked the style of the SUV by radically transforming it, while managing to maintain a link with the previous version. And the least we can say is that the result is quite successful, this Qashqai gaining a lot of presence and character. If the already well-known V-shaped grille has been retained, it has obviously been modernized and now fits better into the front. The optics, very thin, are installed in the extension of the latter, adopting a very original boomerang shape. And the least we can say is that this new version does not lack personality! The whole is more muscular and displays very desirable lines, and it no longer has to be ashamed against the Peugeot 3008, on the contrary! The rear retains a fairly strong relationship with the old version, while however modernizing its design and light signature.

But where this Qashqai has made real progress is especially indoors, when perceived quality was one of its big black spots. On this point, things have improved significantly, while the materials are better and the adjustments are much more careful, without being quite perfect for all that. Note, however, the presence of some hard plastics a little unsightly, but nothing very serious so far. If the presentation is still a little austere, especially compared to the exterior with very original lines, the whole has nevertheless made a real leap forward. We will indeed note the arrival of a brand new 9-inch touch screen, with a revised design. Now placed on the dashboard, it incorporates an infotainment system in clear progression, with graphics more in tune with the times. For its part, the digital handset of 12.3 inches is rather pleasant to look at, although the design and the animations could recall what is done on the Peugeot 3008 … With an increasing size, this new Qashqai still welcomes its occupants, who still benefit from a beautiful habitability. Good news, the trunk gains 70 liters, in order to reach 504 liters.

Big progress to note

If a hybrid version called ePower will arrive in the range in the coming months, the first customers of this new Nissan Qashqai will have to be satisfied with a single engine. It was then the 1.3-liter four-cylinder petrol engine already fitted to the older generation and certain Renault models, including the Mégane and the Kadjar. It is therefore this one that we were able to test when we got started, which took us on the beautiful roads of the south of France. No diesel therefore, on this new version, which however gives pride of place to micro-hybridization, via a 12-volt system. If the 1.3 DIG-T block is available in two power levels, namely 140 and 158 horsepower, we opted for the second version, then associated with a gearbox Xtronic continuously variable, already present on other models in the range. While not everyone will appreciate this type of transmission, this one has little to do with the first CVT boxes. Here, comfort is essential, and the feeling of latency and then runaway has completely disappeared.

If the 158 horses are not too much to move the ton and a half of the machine, thehybridization will not add much, except 6Nm, bringing the total to 270Nm. So do not expect to be stuck to the seat when accelerating, but whatever because this Qashqai is not really made for that. On the other hand, it excels on fast tracks, thanks to its supple suspensions and light steering, while the 20-inch rims in our test version do not affect the overall comfort too much. Based on the CMF-C platform of the Renault-Nissan alliance, this new Nissan Qashqai has also made a real leap forward dynamically. Without necessarily being as agile as a Peugeot 3008, queen of the category on this point, the SUV has greatly evolved, taking advantage of a very healthy and reassuring chassis. A feeling of security also distilled by the technological endowment in clear progression, while the semi-autonomous driving system ProPilot has evolved and gained in efficiency.

Nissan Qashqai test: our verdict

A very good surprise that this Nissan Qashqai, which now has all the cards in hand to return to the level of the stars of the category.

WE love

• His style
• Its standard endowment
• Its road services

We like less

• Light hybridization which does not add much
• The austere dashboard

Nissan Qashqai test: technical sheet

BUY

• Tested version: € 34,590
• From 28,990 €
• Average manufacturer consumption / during the test (l / 100 km): 6.3 / 8.1
• CO2 / malus: € 142/240
• Fiscal power: 8 CV
• Country of manufacture: England

Proposed range

• Gasoline from 140 to 158 hp, from € 28,590 to € 43,790

DRIVE

• Engine: petrol, mild-hybrid 12 volts, inline four, 1332 cc, 16 valves
• Transmission: Xtronic seven-speed continuously variable in sequential mode
• Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 158 to 5,000
• Torque (Nm at rpm): 270 to 1,800
• Empty weight (kg): 1,450
• Long.xlarg.xhaut. (m) : 4,43×1,84×1,63
• Wheelbase (m): 2.67
• Tank (l): 55
• Max speed (km / h): 199
• 0 to 100 km / h: 9.2
• Standard tires: 215/65 R17, 235/55 R18

LIVE

• Chest at 5 / at 2 (l): 504/1593

RECOMMENDED OPTIONS

• ProPILOT pack on N-Connecta: € 1,100
• Drive Assist pack on N-Connecta: € 1,110
• Winter Pack on N-Connecta and Tekna: 750 €

MAIN CONCURRENTS

• Hyundai Tucson 1.6 T-GDi 150, 150 hp, from € 29,900
• Peugeot 3008 PureTech 130, 130 hp, from € 31,450
• Renault Kadjar TCe 160 EDC, 160 hp, from € 36,500

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