The UK-made Nissan Qashqai has done very well for itself over the past 8 years. The production of the SUV-hatchback crossover started in 2006 and was an instant success. It was the first Nissan model to make the most sold new car list in over 20 years, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing. Nissan has truly hit a homerun by combining the space and reliability of an SUV with the economy and practicality of a hatchback.
In today’s Qashqai review, we’re taking a closer look at the Nissan Qashqai. 2014’s model has several new features, as well as some changes to its bodywork – so does that actually mean Nissan has managed to improve on its most popular car? Find out right now in our Nissan Qashqai review.
Design
The first thing you’ll notice about the new Qashqai is that it’s had quite a makeover. It’s shed its slightly cheaper looking parts and evolved into a very sturdy, classy car. The roof tails and smooth, black plastic trim actually make the car look like a robust off-roader, which is again emphasised by the high roof. The grille and both sets of lights add an interesting, bold flair to the Nissan Qashqai. 2014 also saw an update to the interior of the Qashqai – with a glossy dashboard featuring an ambient coloured display giving the Nissan a rich and relaxing interior atmosphere. The high roof adds to the already very spacious interior and the standard panoramic glass roof floods the car with daylight, giving the Nissan Qashqai a very friendly, relaxed and up-market feel.
Engines
But the redesign did more than just update the looks of the Qashqai. 2014 also saw a ton of new technology added to the car – and with it, the already very economical Qashqai has improved on its running costs even further. If it’s a petrol engine you want, you can choose between a 1.2-litre turbo with a return of 57.6mpg and a 1.6-litre turbo with a return of 50.4mpg. But the diesel range is where you should look for some of the most amazing fuel economy ever featured in a Nissan Qashqai. Reviews of the 1.5dCi diesel engine report a return of a whopping 74.3 miles to the gallon. Add to that emissions of only 99g/km and you’ve got a fantastic double whammy of fuel economy and environmental consciousness. The 1.6-litre diesel returns 65.7mpg and 115g/km of CO2, which are still some very impressive numbers.
Features
One of the new Nissan Qashqai’s greatest assets is its amazing practicality. A huge boot adds to the already very impressive storage space, and you can fold the backseats down to create a cavernous 1,585 litres of space. Personally, we also really enjoyed the boot compartment designed specifically for storing the parcel shelf. The standard kit of the car includes Bluetooth, climate control and automatic lights and wipers. Spending a bit of money on kit, however, can get you a wealth of multimedia and entertainment systems. Complete with a spectacular safety rating, the Qashqai is an incredible all-rounder perfect for families.
To top it all off, it’s only £18,265 to get your entry level Nissan Qashqai financed. Include the incredibly low running costs and you have yourself a compact SUV ready to dominate on the market. Fallen in love with the Qashqai, but need help finding the funds? Look no further. Head over to our dedicated Nissan Finance page and we’ll get you sorted – or try our online car loan calculator to get an instant quote.
