The Nissan Qashqai is the self-styled king of the urban jungle; billed as the “ultimate crossover” vehicle. But does it have enough under the bonnet to back up these claims? Nissan certainly hope so.
High Quality Family Car Nissan Qashqai
They’ve gone all out with the Qashqai – remember the ubiquitous paintball ad campaign? Let’s see how it measures up.
So, as king of the urban jungle, can the Qashqai roar? Obviously you won’t need to wind it up in the city, but the 1.6L engine does provide enough just chug to scare the local wildlife. Higher up the range the engines improve, but even with the basic model you won’t be short of power.
The Qashqai is built for comfort as well, so you won’t feel like you’re rattling around inside a tin can. All this can leave you feeling like you’re driving a saloon rather than a 4×4, but Nissan told us this up front – the ultimate crossover vehicle is just that.
So aside from a smooth, comfortable ride, what does the Qashqai bring to the table? The “boring” stuff is where it comes into its own. Which also mentioned that after being released in February 2007, it had sold 8000 units by July of the same year.
Security features are also solid, with marked parts and a visible VIN number to discourage thieves. Up front, there’s plenty of room and the boot is sizeable. The rear seats are a little cramped though, particularly if you’re trying to cram 5 people in there.
Nissan Qashqai Gadgets
Even basic models are pretty well outfitted with gadgets; the Qashqai doesn’t disappoint here either. Air-con, alloys, electric windows, Bluetooth and a CD player are all standard. As you bounce up the price range extras like a panoramic sunroof and cruise control become available too. Considering resale potential, a used Nissan Qashqai will hold its value at least as well as its competitors.
The Verdict?
The Qashqai is still riding high as the crossover vehicle to beat. It still does exactly what it says on the tin. You won’t get fireworks, but you will get a high quality family car, which is probably what you were after in the first place.
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