CAR

Nissan Qashqai mild hybrid Xtronic 4WD, the road test

The Nissan Qashqai is the Japanese brand's historic model and has been on the market since as far back as 2006, always with great success. Now it is in its third generation, for a car revised in looks and equipment, in an increasingly combative segment with growing competition. Since it turns out to be the best-selling segment in Europe.

On an aesthetic level, the look has been updated and has become more modern. The third-generation Nissan Qashqai has also been updated inside the cabin, both in terms of materials and technology.

The Nissan Qashqai has a price list starting at 28,080 euros, for the 140-hp version in entry-level trimVisia, while to buy the test car (158 hp XTronic 4WD with trim Tekna+) you have to go up to 45,270 euros.

photo Riccardo Mantica
A successful model
The Nissan Qashqai is the Japanese brand's historic model and has been on the market since as far back as 2006, always with great success. Now it is in its third generation, for a car revised in looks and equipment, in an increasingly combative segment with growing competition. Since it turns out to be the best-selling segment in Europe.
photo Riccardo Mantica
Dimensions
The Asian crossover is 4.43 meters long, 1.84 meters wide and 1.63 meters high, with a wheelbase of 2.67 meters to ensure good interior roominess. In this regard, space for rear passengers is good, even for those who are a bit taller, and there are air-conditioning vents and USB sockets for charging. Accessibility is excellent. The trunk offers good capacity, between 436 and 1,525 liters, although it loses 68 in the top-of-the-line trim Tekna+, due to the presence of subwoofer under the carpet. Two hooks and a 12-volt outlet are present.
photo Riccardo Mantica
Updated Aesthetics
Aesthetically, the look has been updated and has become more modern. Featured are new full LED light clusters and a V-shaped grille with a three-dimensional effect, with the Nissan logo in the center. The side is muscular, not losing one of the classic features of this model, with wide wheel arches and alloy wheels up to 20 inches, as in our trim. The roof is contrasting black, with an integrated spoiler, while the rear also offers new LED light clusters, with ribbing on the side.
photo Riccardo Mantica
Improved interior
The third-generation Nissan Qashqai has also been updated inside the cabin, both in terms of materials and technology. In this regard, the infotainment system has been completely revised, with a 9-inch touchscreen. The graphics are not particularly modern, but the functions are all there, including compatibility withApple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the former also running wirelessly. There's also wireless charging, as well as two USB sockets under the center armrest, as well as a number of shortcut keys so you can access the main functions directly, without having to go through the menu. Also all new is the digital, 12.3-inch dashboard, which is very well made, intuitive and easy to manage, thanks to the buttons on the left-hand race of the steering wheel
Photo Riccardo Mantica
Road test
Now it is time to move on to the test of the Nissan Qashqai, powered, in our case, by the 1.3 DiG-RT gasoline engine with 158 horsepower and 270 Nm of torque, with 12-volt mild-hybrid technology, coupled to the automatic transmission X-Tronic. The small powertrain electric allows for a 'boost' of 6 Nm of torque and enables improved fuel consumption and emissions, with a small power generator, which stores the energy recovered during deceleration. The latter is then used during restarting and acceleration up to a speed of 110 kilometers per hour.
photo Riccardo Mantica
It goes better with the "sports" mode
The engine is thus sufficiently spirited, with good cueing for passing intersections and overtaking, although it is obviously not a model gifted to sportiness. However, you can have a little more sprint, if you use the 'Sport' driving mode, selectable from the center tunnel. The car is more responsive, compared to the previous generation, thanks to a stiffer structure and more precise and direct steering. Grip and braking are good, as are good absorption of rough terrain, thanks to the Multilink suspension on the rear axle, present in our setupTekna+. The step forward on soundproofing is also excellent and decisive; one travels in a muffled cabin, even at higher speeds, such as on the highway.
ADAS systems in aid of driving
Contributing to comfort, there is also a transmission that works well and hardly makes gear changes felt. Very important is the equipment of ADAS, with the driving package ProPilot. Virtually all driver assistance systems are present. From cruise control adaptive to lane keeping, through automatic emergency braking and 360-degree cameras, which are very useful for maneuvering and parking.
photo Riccardo Mantica
Recorded consumption
Let's also talk a bit about the fuel consumption of the Nissan Qashqai. The company declared an average consumption of 6.5 liters per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle, for the 158-hp version with a gearbox XTronic, that is, the one we had on test. We detected a figure, via the on-board computer, not exactly the same from the one announced. On a more city route, we ended the test with 7.6 liters per 100 kilometers. Still a decent figure, thinking about the segment we are talking about and having often driven in the city.
photo Riccardo Mantica
What about the price?
The Nissan Qashqai has a price list starting at 28,080 euros, for the 140-hp version in entry-level trim Visia, while to buy the car under test (158 hp XTronic 4WD with trim Tekna+) you have to go up to 45,270 euros.
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