Nissan Qashqai 1.6 Car Review

Facts At A Glance
Car: Nissan Qashqai 1.6
Prices: £15,695-£21,395 - on the road
Insurance Group: 5-6
Emissions: 139-154g/km
Performance: 0-60mph 12.0s / Max Speed 109mph
Fuel Consumption: (urban) 33.6mpg / (extra urban) 49.6mpg / (combined) 42.2mpg
Safety: ABS with Brake Assist and EBD / Active front headrests / front, side and curtain airbags.
Dimensions: length/width/height mm 4310/1780/1610

FLASHING THE QASH

Our Rating: 7.1 / 10

Nissan’s Qashqai is fast becoming the 4x4 it’s OK to like. Except in 1.6-litre form, it isn’t a 4x4. Steve Walker reports

It’s useful for car buyers to pigeonhole cars, it helps us get a grasp of what sort of vehicle we’re looking for. It’s a way of narrowing down the mass of models that are lurking out there these days, making easy comparisons and, hopefully, of reaching an effective decision. That’s what makes Nissan’s Qashqai a bit problematic. Most people are damned if they can work out what it is. Nissan flummoxed some of the industry’s finest minds when they pulled the covers off this one and most are still none the wiser. Your best bet in trying to nail it down is to let the hammer fall somewhere between the compact 4x4s and the family hatchbacks. If that doesn’t help, give up and just try to judge the Qashqai on its merits as we do here with the 1.6-litre version.

Our streets are rammed with 4x4 vehicles bought for reasons of fashion and practicality that will never turn a wheel on mud, grass or snow. Most are massively more capable than their owners would dare to imagine but their off-road ability comes at a cost. Many of the same qualities that make a vehicle strong in the rough compromise its performance on the road so 4x4s manufacturers are inevitably forced into a compromise. Or are they? Nissan took a refreshing approach with the Qashqai, and the entry-level 2WD versions in particular. By ditching any pretence of off-road ability, the Qashqai optimises its performance in the conditions where buyers actually use it.

The 1.6-litre unit is the entry-point into the Qashqai club. At the opposite end of the range there are models with four driven wheels but only the front pair get the power in the 1.6. The engine produces a respectable 117PS and can propel the Qashqai through the 0-60mph sprint in 12s before topping out at 109mph. Performance is aided by the absence of a hefty 4x4 drivetrain. The four-wheel-drive 2.0-litre model has 140bhp but isn’t that much quicker, it takes 10.5s to reach 60mph and can only muster a 111mph top speed. The Qashqai is still a substantial vehicle and the 1.6 doesn’t move it along with any great pace but it’s reasonably refined when you drive in a measured fashion and has more than enough grunt to get around town with.

The Qashqai may have dumped most of the traditional 4x4 design features but it retains the tall shape and high ride height, even if they are toned down a little. This inevitably leads some body roll when cornering but the angles of lean are less severe than in most compact 4x4s. Otherwise, the driving experience is pretty good. The speed sensitive steering has a nice heft to it on the open road and provokes crisp responses while the suspension serves up a comfortable ride with less of the annoying bounce you can experience with proper off-roaders.

Riding a little loftier than a conventional family hatchback, the Qashqai takes speed humps in its stride and it’s that much easier to get a good view out for parking or turning into traffic. At these low speeds the steering lightens up noticeably to taking the strain out of tight manoeuvres. The latest cars have revised suspension settings to improve things further from a handling point-of-view and refinement that’s boosted by multi-layer insulation in the front bulkhead and a special soundproof windscreen.

The Qashqai’s styling has more in common with 4x4s than family hatchbacks and looks even more imposing on the latest facelifted cars. The classic off-roader design cues pop-up all over the exterior. Thick bumpers, dark plastic lining down the flanks and round wheelarches, a bold grille, big square headlamps and the chunky, upright stance, its all present and correct. Look for the LED lights at the rear and the shapely front air-intake to identify the latest versions.

The interior isn’t as spacious as the boxy dimensions might lead you to believe. Space in the front two seats is fine but the rear bench is only really wide enough for two adults unless it’s a really short journey. Headroom isn’t great in the back if you’re over six foot as the Qashqai’s racy sloping roofline comes into play. The full length glass sunroof fitted on certain models is great for adding light to the cabin but cuts back further on rear head