The new Nissan QASHQAI small SUV has finally arrived in Australia and it’s a contender for best in class
- How much does the Nissan QASHQAI cost?
- What equipment comes with the Nissan QASHQAI?
- How safe is the Nissan QASHQAI?
- What technology does the Nissan QASHQAI feature?
- What powers the Nissan QASHQAI?
- How fuel efficient is the Nissan QASHQAI?
- What is the Nissan QASHQAI like to drive?
- What is the Nissan QASHQAI like inside?
- Should I buy a Nissan QASHQAI?
There are so many small SUVs to choose from today it’s hard to know where to start, but Nissan is hoping class-leading safety, improved equipment levels along with a flash new design will compel shoppers to take a closer look at the all-new 2023 Nissan QASHQAI. If you can get past the weird name, you’ll find a lot to like here, including a more efficient and powerful engine, a versatile interior layout and loads of useful tech. But in tandem with across-the-board improvements, prices have gone up quite a bit, starting at just under $34,000 and rising close to $50,000 for the flagship model.
How much does the Nissan QASHQAI cost?
The humble Nissan QASHQAI small SUV is no longer, well, humble. It’s matured and improved in almost every conceivable way but its metamorphosis to an ultra-modern five-seat wagon has seen prices rise.
Whereas the previous-generation Nissan QASHQAI was priced between $28,590 and $39,090 plus on-road costs, depending on the variant, the new four-model launch range for the third-generation QASHQAI starts at $33,890 for the entry-level ST and maxes out at $47,390 for the top-shelf Ti model driven here.
In between the entry and flagship grades, the launch range includes the ST+ (from $37,890) and ST-L (from $42,190).
What equipment comes with the Nissan QASHQAI?
You get pretty much everything but the kitchen sink with the top-spec, city-savvy 2023 Nissan QASHQAI Ti we drove at launch, but even the entry-level ST model grade gets plenty of goodies including adaptive cruise control and automatic LED headlights with high beam assist.
You can dissect the respective equipment lists in greater detail in our QASHQAI pricing and specs story.
The top-spec QASHQAI Ti comes with a variety of premium features including big 19-inch alloy wheels, a rear roof spoiler, tinted windows and roof rails, plus LED front fog lights and LED tail-lights.
Meanwhile, a pair of 12.3-inch digital screens and fancy-looking quilted leather seats dominate the cabin.
The eight-way power-operated front seats both have a massage function, which is rare (and very welcome) in the small SUV category.
An auto-dimming rear-view mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear seat vents, ambient cabin lighting, a heated leather steering wheel along with a sizeable panoramic glass roof with electric sun shade are also part of the package.
An impressive 10.8-inch colour head-up display, a high-fidelity 10-speaker Bose sound system (with subwoofer) and a hands-free powered tailgate round out the standard Ti equipment list, along with the usual suspects like power windows, digital radio and so on.
If you want premium paint you’ll have to fork over an extra $700, while a two-tone contrasting roof will add $500.
A five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty is average nowadays, given that some brands offer seven-year and even 10-year warranties.
Annual (or 15,000km) service intervals are pegged at $670 on average, adding up to $4024 over six years, which is on the higher end of the price scale.
How safe is the Nissan QASHQAI?
The 2023 Nissan QASHQAI is one of the safest SUVs in its class, thanks to the standard fitment of seven airbags, a strong safety cell and an impressive array of advanced safety technology.
The new QASHQAI has scored five stars from ANCAP, and every model is equipped with Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility safety suite.
That includes adaptive cruise control, intelligent forward collision warning, lane assist, blind spot intervention, driver attention alert, rear cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with junction assist and vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection.
The AEB system also works when reversing the vehicle, while from ST+ upwards the car is fitted with a 360-degree parking camera with moving object detection.
Even the blind spot warning system has a proactive intervention function that’s designed to stop the driver side-swiping other vehicles on the move, plus there’s traffic sign recognition (real-time speed limit updates), an active speed limiter, rear seat and rear door alerts and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
Chuck in adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beam dipping and you’re looking at a safe and sound mode of transport.
What technology does the Nissan QASHQAI feature?
Spruiking a pair of large high-definition 12.3-inch digital screens deftly integrated into a modern dashboard design, there’s no denying the thoroughly updated cabin of the new 2023 Nissan QASHQAI, particularly in top-spec Ti form you see here.
The digital driver’s display is excellent, with a wide range of driving data and customisable elements and themes.
And while the central infotainment touch-screen doesn’t look quite as dynamic, the user experience is good, with intuitive menus.
Most owners will plug in Apple CarPlay or Android Auto via the USB-A or USB-C ports, and those with iPhones or iOS devices can use wireless CarPlay, but it’s not as good as the wired version with huge voice lag during hands-free phone calls.
The Nissan QASHQAI Ti also features a 10.8-inch colour head-up display that informs you of vehicle speed, current speed limit, navigation directions and so forth, and is a great addition to the tech suite as it allows you to keep your eyes on the road while digesting relevant data.
What powers the Nissan QASHQAI?
The 2.0-litre petrol engine (106kW/200Nm) in the previous generation has been replaced in the new 2023 Nissan QASHQAI by a more powerful and fuel-efficient 1.3-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder (110kW/250Nm), pumping through a new X-tronic CVT automatic driving the front wheels.
It feels significantly more muscular than its predecessor and moves away from standstill with reasonable haste with just two adults on board, the peak torque (250Nm from 1600-3750rpm) arriving early and maintained as you rev the engine.
The updated engine – dubbed HR13DDT by Nissan internally – is also quieter and smoother, and while the CVT is devoid of character it is effective and efficient.
It has three modes – Standard, Eco and Sport – and paddle shifters that deliver more control over engine speeds.
Nissan Australia had sought to launch a hybrid version of the QASHQAI in Australia early in 2023, dubbed e-POWER, but it has now been delayed indefinitely as global supply chains continue to stymie new vehicle deliveries.
How fuel efficient is the Nissan QASHQAI?
The 2023 Nissan QASHQAI has a reasonable 55-litre fuel tank, and if you achieve the claimed average fuel economy of 6.1L/100km you would have a theoretical cruising range of around 900km.
Meanwhile, in the real world, lots of city and urban driving and a several full-throttle leg stretches to test its acceleration on country roads resulted in fuel consumption of 8.2L/100km on test.
What is the Nissan QASHQAI like to drive?
Built in the UK and designed with the European market top of mind, there’s no doubting the new 2023 Nissan QASHQAI is a more sophisticated contrivance than before, but gains made in refinement and cabin quietness are also impressive.
However, it’s the vehicle’s dynamics, road-holding and driver engagement levels that represent the biggest improvements.
Sure, SUVs don’t really need to turn crisply into corners or deliver balanced handling on twisting, turning country roads. Arguably, their main role is being easy to park and steer in urban situations, and in this respect it’s mission accomplished thanks to the light steering and good sight lines.
But the fact the QASHQAI now has a bit of spunk, that it’s fun to drive should your journey take you on a challenging road, is a welcome bonus.
Ride comfort is generally very acceptable, even with the big 19-inch alloy wheel and tyre combo. The SUV smooths out bigger hits like potholes and freeway seams with relative ease, but it does sometimes feel a little jittery on smaller bumps and over crumbly road surfaces.
By and large, the driving experience proved to be very pleasant and seamless on our first local outing, which is pretty good given the vehicle has not undergone an Aussie suspension tune-up like Kia and Hyundai vehicles.
What is the Nissan QASHQAI like inside?
Nissan has done a tremendous job reinventing its SUV range, with large (Pathfinder), medium (X-TRAIL) and now small (QASHQAI) models combining to refresh the Japanese car-maker’s SUV line-up with ultra-modern interior fit-outs. And the 2023 Nissan QASHQAI is probably the standout.
With the flagship Ti model’s twin 12.3-inch digital screens backed up by a 10.8-inch head-up display integrated into a clean but sophisticated dashboard design, the whole shebang looks great, with the seats adding even more eye candy.
Indeed, premium quilted blue and black leather seats are as pleasing to the eye as they are to one’s rump, with nicely contoured cushions.
Nissan reckons the premium soft leather mono-form seats “take 25 days to produce, while more than 60 minutes are needed to embroider the new 3D diamond-quilted design”.
That both front seats offer a massage function is special and rather rare in the small SUV segment, and makes long freeway drives and gridlocked commuting far more relaxing.
Tactility levels are class-leading as well, with all the switchgear – buttons, dials and stalks – being well-damped and delivering a premium touch. Even the gear shifter has a contemporary look and feel.
Add in the high-quality Bose stereo system, a large panoramic glass roof, dual-zone automatic climate control, USB-A and USB-C ports for front and rear passengers, comfortable back seats and flexible boot space, and you’re looking at a very classy small SUV.
Should I buy a Nissan QASHQAI?
The third-generation 2023 Nissan QASHQAI does a lot of things well and makes only a couple of missteps, the lack of a hybrid powertrain and relatively high pricing among them.
Even so, Nissan’s new small SUV is still one of the more compelling vehicles in its class and should find favour with buyers looking for an upmarket, urbane and ultimately very safe mode of transport.
It’s fun to drive and is a very pleasant and refined vehicle to spend time in.
If Nissan Australia can ensure consistent vehicle supply, the new QASHQAI could become a top-seller in the small SUV segment, challenging popular upmarket rivals like the Mazda CX-30 and Hyundai Kona.
2023 Nissan QASHQAI Ti at a glance:
Price: $47,390 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 1.3-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 110kW/250Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 6.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 138g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2022)
Keyword: Nissan QASHQAI 2023 Review