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Nissan Qashqai

The independent definitive Nissan Qashqai video review
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    QASH POINT (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_nissanqashqai_2021

    By Jonathan Crouch

    In third generation form, Nissan's Qashqai remains the definitive, volume brand mid-sized family SUV. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

    Ten Second Reviewword count: 55

    Nissan has gone all-out to keep this third generation Qashqai ahead of an increasingly competitive chasing pack in the volume brand part of the mid-sized family SUV segment. So it's smarter, classier, cleverer, quieter, better equipped and more sophisticated. British designed and built, this one's going to take some knocking off the number one spot.

    Backgroundword count: 183

    Today, our roads are full of Crossover models, compact family-sized SUV-style hatches that blend the practicality of a family five-door with the lifestyle looks of a 4x4. Nissan didn't invent this concept but they've done more than any other brand to perfect it, most notably with this car, the Qashqai. And in its latest third generation form, this car has been rejuvenated - as we're going to see. It's strange now to think what a gamble this model seemed to represent when the first generation version of this design was originally launched back in 2007. Nissan had to make it work because they had no alternative conventional Focus-sized hatch to sell - and they did. Sales took off - and continued strongly with a second generation model launched in 2014, then heavily updated in 2017. Today of course, the mid-sized family SUV market is crowded with rivals from just about every brand. But is the original still the best? Nissan wants us to think so and has loaded this larger, smarter, sharper-looking MK3 model with all of its latest tech to make sure.

    Driving Experienceword count: 290

    It was time for the Qashqai to make the switch to electrified engineering and, sure enough, that's what we've got. Rather bravely, given that a huge proportion of previous Qashqai customers have tended to fuel from the black pump, diesel has been ditched entirely and instead, customers are being offered the choice of either a mild hybrid four cylinder turbo unit or the brand's latest e-POWER hybrid system. Almost all sales will be of mild hybrid models, all of which use basically the same 1.3-litre DIG-T engine that was offered before (co-developed with Renault and Mercedes), though usefully embellished here with 12V mild hybrid tech. As usual with set-ups of this sort, a small lithium-ion battery gives a fraction more mid-range punch and takes care of engine stop/start duties. As usual with a Qashqai, there's a choice of 6-speed manual or CVT Xtronic automatic transmission. And the 1.3-litre engine comes in 140hp or 158hp forms, the latter available with a much improved 4WD system. The AWD set-up is said to be more intuitive and intelligent, features five driving modes (Standard, ECO, Sport, Snow and Off-Road) and shifts power to the rear wheels five times quicker than the previous system. Handling across the range should be improved by a stiffer CMF-C platform. We should say a little about the front-driven e-POWER hybrid version too. It's a fascinating drivetrain this. For a start, at 2.1kWh in size, the battery is about twice the size it would be in a conventional full-Hybrid. And it's topped up by a little three cylinder Variable Compression 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine that never directly powers the wheels. Forward motion is instead taken care of by single front axle-mounted motor which puts out 187hp and 310Nm of torque.

    To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227

    Pictures (high res disabled)

    Statistics (subset of data only)

    Min

    Max

    Price:

    £25,505.00 (At 20 Jul 2021)

    £36,325.00 (At 20 Jul 2021)

    Insurance group 1-50:

    11

    19

    CO2 (g/km):

    121 (1.3 DIG-T 140hp)

    Max Speed (mph):

    120 (1.3 DIG-T 140hp)

    0-62 mph (s):

    11 (1.3 DIG-T 140hp)

    Combined Mpg:

    53.3 (1.3 DIG-T 140hp)

    Length (mm):

    4394

    Width (mm):

    1806

    Height (mm):

    1590

    Boot Capacity (l):

    500

    Scoring (subset of scores)

    Category: Crossover or SUV 4x4s

    Performance
    70%
    Handling
    80%
    Comfort
    70%
    Space
    70%
    Styling, Build, Value, Equipment, Depreciation, Handling, Insurance and Total scores are available with our full data feed.

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