Nissan’s decision in 2007 then to discontinue both the Almera and Primera in favour of a SUV styled to look like a hatchback with a name very few could pronounce came as a huge risk, but one that ultimately led to the creation of one of the most important segments to date, the crossover.
A sales hit
With global sales of 3.3-million units, the Japanese automaker has now unveiled the updated version of the second generation Qashqai, which the local media were privy to get a better understanding of at its recent launch in Johannesburg.
More aggressive looks
Although it has always been seen as one of the most stylish models in the Nissan range, the British build Qashqai has now been given a touch of aggression with styling cues taken from the X-Trail, namely the trademark chrome V-motion grille, redesigned front and rear bumpers, headlamps with integrated boomerang shaped daytime running LEDs, new taillights and updated front fog lamps.
As well as a choice of six colours, Nissan has also increased the overall length by 17mm to 4 394mm, meaning boot space of 430-litres or 680-litres with the 60/40 split rear seats down, while also adding new alloy wheel designs with sizes ranging from 17 to 19-inches.
Interior more upmarket
Like the X-Trail, changes to the Qashqai’s interior are more limited and includes the sporty flat-bottom D-shaped steering wheel with its chunky integrated buttons, part cloth/leather seats, a new gear lever, upgraded trim and on the top spec Tekna model, a new full length panoramic roof and premium Bose sound system.
Full array of new safety tech
The biggest change is however on the safety front where the Qashqai gets Nissan’s range of Intelligent Mobility driver assistance systems, consisting of Intelligent Blind Spot Warning, Around View Monitor, Moving Object Detection, Intelligent Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent Emergency Braking and Intelligent Forward Collision Warning.
Trimmed engine line-up
With the facelift has also come a smaller model range with trim levels still consisting out of the base Visia, mid-range Acenta and Acenta Plus as well as the aforementioned Tekna, but now minus the 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, as well as the option of the four-wheel drive.
Instead, Nissan has retained the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol making 85kW/190Nm connected to either a six-speed manual gearbox or a CVT, and the 1.5-litre dCi turbodiesel that produces 81kW/260Nm and is mated solely to the former ‘box.
The Drive
On the launch route, which took us from Johannesburg out into countryside around Cullinan, Bronkhorstspruit and then Pretoria, we had the opportunity to try both engine options out and immediately find favour with the oil-burner.
A stalwart of the Nissan-Renault Alliance, the mill does exhibit some lag low down, but once spooled up, made for effortless progress and was devoid of any diesel clatter regardless of the speed travelled. Because of its punch and thanks to the slick shifting manual ‘box, we regularly had to back off the loud pedal but still managed to record a best of 5.5-litres/ 100km.
In the Tekna, the somewhat irksome seven-inch touchscreen infotainment has been kept, but overall, the flagship model’s cabin feels more premium than in the pre-facelift Qashqai, with another surprise being a supple ride despite those 19-inch alloys.
We also had the opportunity to sample the 1.2T in Acenta spec, but found it lacking somewhat in part due to the lazy and droning CVT, and also its lack of low down punch. Unsurprisingly, the ride on the smaller 16-inch alloys was a tad better, but in this writer’s opinion at least, sensible money has to be on the diesel.
Conclusion
With some 30 000 units having found homes in South Africa since its debut, the updates applied to the Nissan Qashqai means that a winning recipe has been improved upon again, which would likely see it retaining its standing as not only a local favourite, but also one of Nissan’s standout products.
Warranty
A six year / 100 000km warranty and three year / 90 000km service plan are standard on all models.
Pricing
Qashqai 1.2 T Visia - R334 900
Qashqai 1.2 T Acenta - R367 000
Qashqai 1.2 T Acenta CVT - R381 000
Qashqai 1.2 T Acenta+ CVT - R394 000
Qashqai 1.5 dCi Acenta - R394 000
Qashqai 1.5 dCi Acenta+ - R407 000
Qashqai 1.5 dCi Tekna - R434 000
