My colleagues in the world of auto journalism may not be happy with reason number one, but the sh1t will really hit the fan on point two…
- Car journos dismiss them
- Nissan dealers will do a ripper deal
- After all, how much more car do you need?
- Driver assistance tech you don’t expect
- Existing owners love them
Car journos dismiss them
It’s not often that I recommend against the opinions of expert journos. But this is one of those cases.
The Nissan QASHQAI is regularly dismissed as a choice in the compact SUV market by expert journalists for one reason alone — its choice of transmission.
You see, auto journalists are consistently out of step with many end-users in their issue with continuously variable transmissions (CVT).
CVTs are not likely to be found in any sports or performance car any time soon. In principle, during acceleration they work by matching road speed with the most efficient engine speed. That means they allow the engine to rise to middling revs and keep it there, constantly varying the effective gear ratios to deliver smooth and, in the main, efficient acceleration.
Enthusiasts dislike the ‘slipping clutch’ like impression such an operating mode delivers. Most auto journalists (me included) are auto enthusiasts at heart. Therein lies the challenge.
Many end users, however, comment on the smoothness of CVTs and don’t lament the aural and mechanical aspects.
Nissan uses CVTs in a number of its SUVs, including X-TRAIL and Pathfinder – and QASHQAI. In the QASHQAI, the CVT is paired with a relatively refined, bullet-proof 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine.
You may or may not be bothered by the operating characteristics of a CVT. Here is a classic case of a test drive being required before you dismiss a car on your shortlist.
Nissan dealers will do a ripper deal
Now that I’ve alienated my friends in the fifth estate, let me alienate my friends on the dealer side of the fence.
There are some brands and some cars that, frankly, always seem to be on sale. Nissan and the QASHQAI arguably tick both boxes.
Nissan recently introduced an ST+ model grade to the QASHQAI line-up. Priced at a $1300 premium over the entry-grade CVT-equipped QASHQAI ST, the official recommended list price for the ST+ is $30,790 plus government charges.
Given the specification, general build quality and accommodation provided by the QASHQAI, that’s pretty sharp buying. But I’ll wager that most dealers will happily talk drive-away prices starting with a two (perhaps, well into the twos) without any real arm-twisting. That’s great value.
After all, how much more car do you need?
Australians have fallen in love with SUVs or, more particularly, the packaging that this style of vehicle deliver.
There is no all-wheel drive versatility priced into the cheaper versions of many brands’ small SUVs – indeed, some do not even offer all-wheel drive. But the higher seating position, the ease of access, better sightlines, and some added styling substance all appeal to a swag of buyers.
With more upright seating comes a little extra space for a given wheelbase and small SUVs like the QASHQAI benefit from this geometry change.
In the case of the Nissan, there’s also decent comfort for front seat occupants and for two in the rear. Three adults in the second row is a pinch, as it is for all vehicles of this size.
Luggage space too is decent. Officially, boot space is 430 litres, expanding to 1598 litres with the back seats folded down.
In a spate of tidiness that usually escapes yours truly, I shifted a number of archive boxes recently and was surprised at the number the wee Nissan swallowed.
Driver assistance tech you don’t expect
While the latest Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity has yet to arrive in the QASHQAI (it’s coming though), there is a decent level of standard tech — especially so considering the price of the ST+.
The QASHQAI ST+ features sat-nav with traffic alerts and adds a 360-degree surround-view parking camera system with moving object detection. Six airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), front and rear parking sensors and lane departure warning are also all standard.
In my opinion, the most important of these is AEB. That’s why, to be eligible to contest the 2019 carsales Car of the Year, vehicles must offer AEB standard across all equipment grades. It won’t be long before this feature will be a ‘price to play’ in the Australian market.
There are some missing mod-cons in the lower-grade QASHQAIs if you’re coming from a higher specification vehicle. The ST+ is one of the few vehicles I’ve driven lately that did not have some form of auto climate control. This is one of those set and forget features that we’ve come to take the granted in so many vehicles.
Existing owners love them
Above all, the Nissan QASHQAI seems to be one of those quiet achievers — a car that owners appreciate, but never seems to chart on the Top Cars hit parade.
Thanks to small wheels and big tyres, basic and mid-grade QASHQAIs get high praise from the owners for their comfort and ride. After a week in our tester, I’d have to agree.
Other boxes ticked include keyless entry and push-button start, which means the key can stay in your pocket or bag. But a plus only owners are likely to pick up is the fact the QASHQAI has auto-down on all four windows.
When we quizzed one two-QASHQAI household (yes, at least one exists), the small Nissan SUV got praise also for a large and clear digital speedo.
Those same owners said after a combined 37,000km, their two QASHQAIs are averaging around 8.4lL100km. That’s considerably more than the ADR figure, but it’s hardly profligate.
And hey, you’ll have plenty of change left in your pocket to pay for the difference after you’ve crunched a deal…
Keyword: Five reasons to consider a Nissan QASHQAI