8 August 2014
New car report; Timing is everything
A lot has happened in five years.
In 2009, we were in the dismal throws of the GFC, the car industry was to have its lowest sales volume in over a decade, and the average Kiwi punter was just coming to the realisation that their big Aussie gas-guzzlers were on the highway to hell, heading at full noise to go the way of the dodo.
And then Nissan brought us a car with a funny name that didn’t really fit into any pigeon-hole we were familiar with. In fact, when the original Qashqai was launched, Nissan went to great lengths telling us this was a Primera replacement – a car, not an SUV. They were perhaps treading carefully, thinking that the term SUV would sent the wrong message and buyers would steer clear.
But timing is everything, and this was the right vehicle at the right time, and buyers took a real shine to the Qashqai. Nissan now rightfully claim that they set the trend with the little 2WD SUV (yes, now they’re comfortable with the term), with the small SUV segment now the darling of the marketplace; a marketplace that’s now heading towards record highs.
Petrol versions, the ST, ST-L and Ti have a 106kW/200Nm 2.0 litre direct-injected naturally aspirated powerplant and there’s now a very capable 96kW/320Nm turbo-diesel in the TS, thanks to French partner, Renault. All models drive the front wheels through Nissan’s Xtronic CVT transmission and fuel consumption claims of 6.9l/100km and 4.9l/100km apply to the petrol and diesel respectively.
No more Dualis
Unlike the outgoing model which from 2010 onwards offered buyers the option of seven seats, the new one drops the +2 option, leaving the X-Trail to fulfil that requirement, should buyers need to seat more than five.
Built in Nissan’s Sunderland, UK plant, the Qashqai nameplate is now global (so no more Dualis) however, it’s not destined for the Japanese market, so don’t expect to wait a year or two and get a Japanese Import.
It’s 47mm longer and 23mm wider, but 11mm lower than before, giving a more sleek and sporty appearance and an overall drag co-efficient of 0.32cd. There are 17 inch alloys on the ST and 19’s on all the others, and braked towing capacity is 1,200kg for petrol models and 1,400kg for the diesel.
As good as the old Qashqai was, so much has changed in five years that the equipment level on the 2014 model makes the 2009 trend-setter look like a vintage car. Much emphasis has been placed on premium levels of spec and comfort, and there’s a vastly improved cabin, with premium materials, more interior space, more hi-tech gear and an altogether more modern look and feel.
New platform, more equipment and everyday practicality
Built on the Nissan/Renault CMF (Common Modular Family) platform, same as the X-Trail, even entry level ST models get a rear view camera, a 5 inch colour display, automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights, leather steering wheel and gearshift knob and the NissanConnect Smartphone connectivity, integrating with Google, Facebook and Pandora internet radio.
The top of the range TI is absolutely loaded to the gunnels with trick gear, both in terms of convenience and safety. Around View Monitor gives a bird’s eye view of the surroundings on the 7 inch colour screen; there’s High Beam Assist to prevent dazzling oncoming motorists; Intelligent Park Assist, to self-park in both parallel and angle park situations; Moving Object Detection which provides both a visual and audible warning if a moving object is detected either in front of or behind the vehicle; Blind Spot and Lane Departure Warnings.
TI buyers also get heated leather seats with six way electric adjustment for the driver, a panoramic glass roof, auto-levelling LED headlights, heated mirrors and Satellite Navigation.
Day to day practicalities extend to drink bottle holders, cup holders, Hill Start Assist, 60/40 split rear seat, 430 litres of luggage space with the seats up (20 litres more than before) and ISOFIX child seat anchorages. All models except the ST have a simple but clever dual cargo floor system, providing numerous configurations including an under-floor storage option.
Improvements are everywhere, with suspension, steering and transmission characteristics all noticeably improved. It’s quieter than before, handles better and genuinely foots it with the bigger boys. So much so, that we wouldn’t be surprised if a few potential X-Trail buyers didn’t end up driving out of the showroom in a Qashqai.
The ST is priced at $35,990; the ST-L and similarly specced diesel TS are $39,990 and $42,990 respectively, and the all singing, dancing TI is $43,990.