The current Nissan Qashqai is no longer a novelty, but remains a favorite with buyers and has its own club of admirers. The one in the photo is the second generation (J11). He appeared back in 2013, but received a facelift in 2017 and, most interestingly, in 2019 he got the ProPILOT system. So Nissan called adaptive cruise control and additional safety features.
What a very popular crossover is ready to offer today and how it feels in comparison with new players in the market, read on.
Characteristics
- Engine: ICE, 4 cylinders, 2 liters, 95th gasoline.
- Power: 144 HP s., 200 Nm.
- Transmission: CVT (Xtronic CVT).
- Drive: plug-in full.
- Average consumption during the test drive: 9.2 liters per 100 km.
- Drove: 832 km.
Acquaintance
You’ve definitely seen him somewhere
And, perhaps, even tried in carsharing. Or do you own? In general, its appearance, if you are not indifferent to cars and you notice them in the stream, is definitely familiar to you. By today’s standards, he is already very, very restrained. If you look at the third generation Qashqai, which is available in some markets, there are much more bold forms. Well, the price tag will be different.
In general, surprisingly, having appeared as a very affordable car at the end of the 2000s, now the Qashqai has grown up, matured and is ready to offer completely different sensations. I’m not afraid of this word, premium. Which is true, of course, for top trim levels.
You already want to ask: “This is not a new car, what is interesting about it?”. But, it turns out, everything is at a very high level and modern level. Yes, here I immediately want to talk about the range of assistants and, in general, comfort functions, which are sometimes not available on cars of 2022 as well. So, what exactly can be rejoiced at and what helps: four cameras around the perimeter with the ability to display a top view, adaptive cruise control with active lane keeping and a parking assistant. The latter, which is not very obvious, is activated in the camera menu.
Add here a very comfortable and ergonomic steering wheel with a slight hint of sportiness. And a huge glass roof. And in the top version, the seats are also trimmed with brown Alcantara, which gives the car more comfort. By the way, Qashqai is that rare car that has seat height adjustment with lumbar support for the passenger as well.
Since the car isn’t new, there’s no flirting with touchpads either. Actually, the touch here is only a multimedia touch screen. He, of course, is no longer ultra-modern, but endowed with everything you need: support for Car Play and Android Auto, many settings for the car itself, and also generally works smartly. I can only complain about the small size.
Not far from the screen is something for which you want to scold the car. The main one is just one USB connector for the entire car, which is definitely a minus in our time. True, there are two cigarette lighter sockets in the cabin (the second is in the armrest), so you have to stock up on alternative chargers.
The second claim to the second row … more precisely, its ergonomics. It seems like a family car, but on the second row of comfort, only blowing and heating the sofa. Want to charge your smartphone? Well, you have to come up with something with the driver. Heating, by the way, of the entire sofa, and the power button is located in the front in the center, where it is very inconvenient for those sitting behind to climb, as the armrest interferes. There should be a thoughtful emoticon addressed to those who came up with such an arrangement.
More sadness emanates from the simplicity of the luggage compartment. There is also the opening of the door manually, even in the top configuration. So no swinging your legs under the bumper, everything is the old fashioned way. 430 liters of volume is a worthy indicator. But the lack of an outlet and only two small hooks for things are no longer so encouraging. But the second row folds almost into a flat floor, and in the underground there is a dokatka.
And it’s amazing what it feels like in the end. The salon is very comfortable, in a good old-fashioned way with a lot of buttons. There is also enough space and only small moments, such as a single USB connector, cast a shadow on a good impression. Yes, visually, and in terms of materials, Qashqai lacks stars from the sky, but there are no unpleasant sensations either. The only thing that will be felt, especially on the go, is the effect that this is a big car with large dimensions. All because of the layout of the cabin and the overall visual “chubby” style. But, already on the first day of my close acquaintance, I did not hesitate to use the buttons and menu functions, isn’t this the most important thing?
Let’s hit the road
He proved to be a reliable companion for every day.
To begin with, I note that it is not difficult to sit comfortably inside. The seats and steering wheel have all possible settings, and the glass roof does not eat away the space above your head. It’s just that there is no memory of the position of the chair at all … but it’s easy to sit down and scatter your goodness inside, there are plenty of niches. Then you immediately notice that Qashqai has large mirrors on the sides, and the rear window is not tiny, so everything is clearly visible through the central mirror.
The second thing you pay attention to is the steering wheel. It is not particularly plump and for me it turned out to be the most ergonomic and comfortable. Everything is at hand in the matter of controlling the display on the tidy (analogue, by the way), multimedia and cruise control. With the levers, fortunately, they didn’t try to be smart either. Available and automatic lighting mode. I also want to note that Nissan did not flirt with “sport”, although the steering wheel is trimmed from below in a sporty manner.
Before starting off, I climb through all the menus and see that there is a lot to customize for yourself: the lighting mode, folding mirrors, unlocking doors, and so on. Separately, I note the opportunity to play around with the sound of the speaker system. And I was also pleased that the image from the camera can also be adjusted according to many parameters. By the way, the settings of the car itself take place on the tidy screen.
I will not sing praises to how Qashqai behaves on the road. This is a fairly average modern car. However, I definitely want to note that it feels whole, not lax, and it’s nice to be around. The overall positive impression here is influenced by ergonomics inside, and a well-tuned electric power steering (there is a “tighter” sport mode), and an elastic suspension. The latter can feel a bit harsh, thanks in part to the 19-inch wheels and low-profile tires. But I didn’t feel uncomfortable.
The power of 144 horses is just right for this urban crossover. You do not feel deprived either in the city or on the highway. There is, however, one point: I drive very calmly, but when you need to leave the interchange on the highway, where the speed is 110, you need to press on the gas ahead of time, Qashqai does not immediately show agility. But all these are nuances that are in one form or another in many cars, you get used to them and no longer pay attention.
I have an all-wheel drive version on the test, and, despite the presence of huge “rollers”, a check was made for “country off-road”. In the morning, after a night of rain, a road with a rut in the field … in general, he did it. Yes, I specifically tried to plant it a bit and I still had to turn on the four-wheel drive when the front wheels began to flounder in the clay. In general, as always, all-wheel drive will add confidence and calmness to slightly more difficult sections of the primer.
Review
Excellent balance throughout
Yes exactly. There is no preponderance in any one direction, as well as general flirting with touch panels in some cars. Here, in a good way, the classic management of everything is possible. At the end of the first day of the test drive, I already used all the buttons without blindly searching for them with my hand. Only the buttons to the left of the steering wheel on the dashboard made me look away from the road. And if new cars often require you to adapt to them, then Qashqai is like an old friend, you immediately feel relaxed and in good company.
The adaptive cruise control worked great. I have already managed to ride with many options for the “cruise” of other car manufacturers, this one can be written down in the list of leaders in terms of adequacy and predictability of work. Yes, it has its nuances, but it’s not an autonomous driving system, so my nitpicking doesn’t count.
The brown interior, as I already mentioned, creates its own comfort and tranquility, and a large roof with a glazing area will add “air” to the cabin. It remains only to complain about the only USB connector and an unregulated armrest.
Yes, probably, someone will say that the Qashqai available to us now is already a bit outdated. But if you’re looking for a car that’s more classic (in a good way) and without flirting with trends, then this is a great option! And indeed, against the background of models, where there are a lot of touch surfaces, gloss and other things, Qashqai feels more real and proven. And even taxiing, despite the electric steering wheel, is pleasant and understandable.
PS Here is a small list of interesting points: a small and convenient key, the ability to lock the passenger’s doors in front, two tiers of additional buttons to the right of the steering wheel, which are not very convenient to reach, and a curtain button (opens as much as 12 seconds!), Which is dangerously close to SOS button.
Pros:
- in a good classic car without unnecessary moments;
- excellent working ProPILOT system;
- ergonomics in the cabin;
- nice to drive.
Minuses:
- there are still a few ergonomic miscalculations;
- only one USB connector;
- rear row heating button for some reason in front;
- there is no power trunk even as an option.
May not like:
- consumption;
- old-fashioned;
- display size.
Source: Trash Box
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
