Although the Nissan Qashqai has passed its peak, demand has remained high due to its cheapness and adaptability. Although it faces stiff competition from the Skoda Karoq and Peugeot 3008, the third-generation model is best-selling.
With an interior nearly identical to that of the BMW X1 and Volvo XC40, the new Nissan Qashqai has seen a significant increase in sales. With the caveat that “almost” must be emphasized. The coveted Qashqai Tekna version has a Bose audio system, quilted leather-upholstered massage seats, and an intuitive 8-inch infotainment screen.
The base model of the Nissan Qashqai line is the Visia, a respectable “rental car” in our books. 17-inch alloy wheels, a rearview camera, and an 8-inch media system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are just some of the features available on the Acenta Premium, the mid-range model.
The 2021 Nissan Qashqai will appear in one engine option, a 1.3-liter petrol unit. Mild Hybrid Technology There’s not much to write home about; The 12-volt system does more than keep the lights on when the engine is off and the vehicle is parked. Customers could choose from two possible horsepower ratings, two transmission variants (manual and continuously variable), and either front- or all-wheel drive.
If you want a truly high-end system, you should introduce the new e-Power hybrid version around mid-2022. The lack of direct contact between the petrol engine and the wheels makes it unique, even among hybrid cars. On the contrary, it acts as a generator for the electric motor, bringing most of the advantages of electric vehicles while minimizing their disadvantages. It is a reliable system and is cheaper than plug-in hybrids.
The Nissan Qashqai has never been known as a sportier option, and that hasn’t changed. The Skoda Karoq is more comfortable than the sporty competition, including the Mazda CX-30 and SEAT Ateca. We test drive a Qashqai fitted with 20-inch alloy wheels, which, while stylish, detract from the car’s ride comfort and smoothness. Fortunately, smaller wheel sizes are more affordable and widely available.
The 2022 Nissan Qashqai excels most in its practicality. There’s no doubt this car was built with families in mind, from the plethora of storage bins to the fold-flat rear seats to the unusually spacious doors.
We now consider Nissan Qashqai competitive again. It’s not great in any aspect, but it has all the bases covered, particularly in its e-Power hybrid configuration.
Should you buy the 2022 Nissan Qashqai?
The Nissan Qashqai has always been a good choice for families, but now it’s better equipped to handle various situations. The interior has been updated with advanced features and higher-quality materials, bringing it almost on par with luxury SUVs costing twice as much. The Nissan Qashqai is a competent family SUV, provided you don’t place too much value on the excitement behind the wheel.
Which model and powertrain would you recommend?
The e-Power hybrid version of the Nissan Qashqai, introduced in 2022, is the best option now. They are more efficient than pure gas vehicles while providing the same level of performance.
We suggest the 158-hp mild hybrid with automatic transmission if you can’t afford the extra expense of a combination. Steer clear of the entry-level Visia models, but hold off on upgrading to the more expensive Tekna or Tekna+. N-Connecta is a solid compromise, and if you can locate a pre-recorded Premiere Edition for a reasonable price, even better.
Besides the Nissan Qashqai, what other vehicles can it compare to?
The Nissan Qashqai is not the only high-quality crossover SUV for families. Our search included the Skoda Karoq, Seat Ateca, and Volkswagen Tiguan. Also included are the French Peugeot 3008 and Citroen C5 Aircross. The new Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson are also great options, and the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, or Mazda CX-5 shouldn’t be ruled out either.
Comfort and interior
For example, “The Nissan Qashqai has the feel of a big car, with chunky, high front seats to give you a sense of superiority that you won’t find in smaller SUVs.”
The thick-rimmed steering wheel, roomy center console, and oversized handles contribute to the imposing appearance of the car. The latest Nissan Qashqai isn’t trying to be a Land Rover, but it’s also not the last word.
The front seats in the Nissan Qashqai are sufficient, and in the Tekna +, you can even get massage seats. The most important thing we learned is that, oddly enough, it can get noisy in the car if the sound is turned off. The overall quality is much higher than the previous iteration, making it a pleasant resting place.
There’s plenty of room for rear passengers, including more knee room and a higher headroom than in the previous generation Qashqai. Qashqai offers two ISOFIX mounting points on the outboard rear seats, making it easy to install the car seat.
Quality and finish
Perhaps here is where the Nissan Qashqai outperforms its predecessor. The new generation Nissan Qashqai is designed to compete with high-end SUVs in sales. The previous generation was unabashedly a touch low-rent in its approach (value for money, clean plastic, and all that). With quilted leather seats, contrast stitching, and a dashboard with a smooth wood finish, the first-class Tekna+ demo had a luxurious feel.
There are some harsh plastics on the lower parts of the cabin (the door bins, for example), and the navigation system’s rotary knobs have a slightly childlike feel. The quality is similar to that of the Peugeot 3008.
Nissan Qashqai stereo, navigation, and touchscreen audio system
The 8-inch media system (standard on Qashqai Acenta Premium models and later) features crisp, clear images and is ideally positioned for casual viewing. Controls on either side let you adjust the volume or zoom in and out of the map, while additional buttons at the bottom of the screen provide quick access to frequently used functions.
The N-Connecta’s specs bump the screen size to nine inches, but the real update you want will come in mid-2022: a 12-inch widescreen infotainment system is standard on higher grades. It responds faster, has a more apparent screen, and supports voice commands via Amazon Alexa.
They’re easier to use than touch-only systems (with their climate control buttons on the bottom). However, they still can’t compare to instruments controlled by a rotary controller on the center console, like the Mazda CX-30.
The infotainment screen is easy to navigate and understand, though its visuals are dated compared to those of its competitors. Again, this will be addressed by a screen upgrade in 2022. Thanks to the standard integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all but the most basic Visia models, you can use apps like Google Maps from your phone.
There is a large display unit on the windshield and a highly sophisticated digital instrument cluster behind the Qashqai’s steering wheel, the latter providing details about the hybrid model’s power and charging sources. Nissan claims it’s the largest in its class. Still, we’d argue that size isn’t everything, especially regarding the potentially dangerous text messages in your field of vision while you’re behind the wheel.
The Nissan Qashqai’s cargo area provides ample and practical space.
Both the length and width of the new Nissan Qashqai, which is just under 4.4 meters and more than 1.8 meters, remain virtually unchanged from the previous generation. With a large center console separating the driver and front passenger seats, Qashqai offers ample space for both the driver and front passenger seats. The door bins aren’t the largest, and the center console glove box is on the small side.
The back seat in the Qashqai is spacious. However, anyone caught in the middle is likely to complain. A block in the middle of the floor makes it difficult to stretch your legs, and the middle seat is narrower than the island and window seats. If you often have a whole load of passengers in the back, the Citroen C5 Aircross is the best choice due to its three single rear seats.
When there’s enough space, the rear doors can open to an 85-degree angle, which isn’t ideal for parallel parking but is excellent for loading kids. ISOFIX anchors on the outboard seats in the rear row are also helpful.
Nissan Qashqai 2017 has a trunk capacity of 504 liters, which is not the best in class, but it can hold groceries or baby items. A false floor can be used in the box to lower the lip, making it easier to control for loading bulky items. The Qashqai’s rear seats can be folded to increase the cargo capacity to 1,593 liters.
Moreover, the e-Power hybrid model has the same trunk space as the gas-only version. The large battery pack in many hybrid cars (especially plug-in) reduces trunk space or takes up space on the vehicle floor.
What powertrain options does the Nissan Qashqai have?
The base model of the Nissan Qashqai is equipped with a revised version of the previous generation’s 1.3-liter gasoline engine. It has 12-volt mild hybrid technology can produce either 140 or 158 horsepower. This increases your marginal speed and lets the engine cool down faster in stop-and-go traffic.
The weaker Qashqai engine is exclusively available with a manual transmission, while the more potent engine may be had with either a manual or an Xtronic CVT automatic. We put the new Qashqai through its paces with manual and automatic transmission options. Because of the little torque available, rapid acceleration requires careful downshift planning. This behavior is expected in small turbocharged motors.
The manual gear shift is springy, with a light clutch and simple operation. An automatic transmission can be installed in a car like the Qashqai for those willing to spend a little extra money, and it takes the stress out of daily driving. The Xtronic gearbox is responsive, and the engine seems surprisingly more agile. It takes 9.2 seconds to reach 62 mph, compared to 9.5 seconds when using a manual transmission.
The Nissan Qashqai e-Power hybrid was introduced around the middle of 2022. The gasoline engine acts as a generator, powering the electric motors and charging the battery rather than being connected directly to the wheels. Because of this, driving the Qashqai around town is quite similar to driving an electric vehicle; it is quiet, smooth, and quick because there are no gear changes to slow you down.
You won’t know the engine is running until you see the DVD icon for it lights up. It only makes itself known (and felt) when full power is required, but unlike rival hybrids like the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V, it does so at a refined rpm range. You also get respectable performance—it can go from 0 to 62 miles per hour in just 7.9 seconds, significantly faster than petrol engines.
Levels of smoothing and noise
Our Qashqai test vehicle was equipped with 20-inch alloy wheels, which are not very refined and contribute to the jarring ride quality. A model with smaller wheels (and higher-profile tires) might likely lessen the amount of road noise. One is still being tested so that we can know for sure.
The Qashqai has tolerable levels of wind noise, and it’s noisier than other mainstream SUVs of a similar size. However, you shouldn’t expect it to be as quiet as high-end competitors. The 1.3-liter gasoline engine is not particularly loud unless you drive at high speeds, which can become annoying. Don’t let the mild hybrid’s name fool you; it can’t go on electricity alone.
Meanwhile, the e-Power model may travel a limited distance on electric power before the gasoline engine is engaged to replenish its energy supply. The machine is so well-tuned that you won’t even feel it.
How Reliable Is the Nissan Qashqai’s Safety Equipment?
The Euro NCAP crash test results for the Nissan Qashqai were excellent: a perfect five stars across the board, with exceptionally high marks for adult and child protection (91 percent).
Due to its advanced driver-assistance features, the Nissan Qashqai is nearly impossible to crash (but we still advise against it). The best part is that it’s a universal standard. Automatic emergency braking is a notable feature since it may scan your surroundings for other vehicles and pedestrians and then apply the brakes to help you avoid or lessen the impact of an accident if one is imminent.
Automatic braking for the rear wheels is also standard, so if you fail to spot a curb while reversing, the car will stop short of it. Adaptive driving beam technology is standard on 2017 and newer Nissan Qashqai Tekna models. This technology divides the high beam into 12 segments and automatically switches between a small number of those segments to prevent blinding oncoming drivers. This is a fantastic addition.
In addition to the standard array of airbags, a brand-new “intelligent center airbag” has been installed between the driver and front passenger’s seats. In a collision, this will keep you from going down.
Equipment and trim levels
The Visia is the entry-level model of the Nissan Qashqai lineup. LED lighting and taillights, adaptive cruise control, and rear parking sensors are some standard high-tech features.
A more appealing choice is the Nissan Qashqai Acenta Premium. The base price includes 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch multimedia display (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), a rearview camera, and climate control that can be adjusted independently in each row of seats.
The Nissan Qashqai N-Connecta, a trim level in the middle of the range, comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital dashboard, and a 9-inch media system. Nissan includes front parking sensors and interior ambient lighting as standard equipment.
For its debut, a deluxe Premiere Edition was produced. A wireless charging pad, a panoramic glass sunroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display, and Nissan ProPilot (with Driving Assistant) are all included.
Similar to the Toyota RAV4, the Nissan Qashqai Tecna comes standard with a motorized tailgate, LED headlights, a wireless charging pad, and a 10.8-inch head-up display as standard equipment.
The Nissan Qashqai Tecna+ is a high-end compact SUV that comes equipped with features such as heated front seats, a massaging function for the driver’s seat, a memory system for the driver’s position and outside mirrors, a Bose sound system, and tilting mirrors. It rides on 20-inch alloy wheels. Reflects.
