Road Test: Frugal Qashqai is a no-brainer in todays climate!
By now we’ve all lost track of how often fuel prices have been on the rise, and motorists are now, more than ever having to look for frugal alternatives that are also practical and spacious. Well look no further than the diesel-sipping Qashqai, it’s a keeper!
Qashqai, Fords Ecosport and one of my favourites, the Renault Kadjar are all competing for pretty much the same buyer. And judging by how South Africans like an SUV it’s no wonder that Nissan has pepped up the 2018 Qashqai with some modern touches. I live with the Qashqai for a few days and enjoy not having to worry about the fuel bill.
Interior
Inside the main changes are the new flat bottom multi-function steering, the infotainment system and new seats. Audio is now provided by an upgraded Bose system which sounds good for this segment and considering this, the top of the line Tekna version comes in at under R450 000 the interior spec is up to scratch with the rest of its competitors.
On the road
The six-speed manual gearbox our test car came equipped with is slick with a light clutch motion. Its biggest drawcard though is the willing diesel engine and simply incredible fuel consumption for a car this size. Nissan claims 4.2l/100 on this, the 1.5dci version, and I regularly managed 4.9l/100 with absolute ease even in mixed driving conditions making this one of the most economical SUVs on sale today. Cram in extra passengers or luggage the consumption doesn’t suffer much either. The steering on the Qashqai is sporty and responsive and grip levels are good even in very wet Cape Town conditions. Qashqai is surefooted and the active safety features are matched nicely to a very dependable chassis.
Safety
Qashqai comes fully kitted with many safety features available on much pricier equipment which include, Intelligent Blind Spot Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Cross Traffic Alert and five cameras. The systems work well to keep drivers safe and aware of their surroundings The parking camera system is quite basic compared the groundbreaking BMW and Volvo systems but at half the price of those cars. Safety should be our primary concern when buying a car but surprisingly, it often isn’t. Well in the case of the Qashqai, safety comes standard.
Verdict
Qashqai is just great value and comes loaded with safety features. The fuel consumption is for me the clincher in this deal. Fill the tank and forget about your fuel bill for at least a week? I could live with that!
