This test will be a bit shorter, more focused, and almost entirely centred around the city and its surroundings.
The reason is simple. The Qashqai is to urban crossovers what the iPhone is to smartphones. It wasn’t the first, but it was the model that created the segment and established it on the market.
So, with just a few hours behind the wheel of the second-generation Qashqai, the goal is clear. Is it better than its predecessor, can it repeat its success, and most importantly, is it worth it?
Design
The new Qashqai builds on the facelifted version of the first generation. The overall look and character are familiar, but now presented in a much more modern way.
We get well-balanced proportions, a muscular front end, and a more dynamic presence. If the car were a person, it would probably introduce itself like this: “Hi, I’m Qashqai and I’m cool.”
And it would say it in English, not Japanese. The model was primarily developed by Nissan Europe in London and Cranfield.
Despite that, it retains a clear Japanese identity and cannot be mistaken for any of its European rivals.
Interior
The interior follows a typical Japanese approach. It is simple, almost conservative.
Apart from the 7-inch infotainment display and a few modern touches, you could easily believe you are sitting in a car from 10 to 15 years ago. And that is not necessarily a criticism. Personally, I prefer more modern interiors, but many buyers actually like this approach, and it keeps costs down.
Overall, the cabin is a pleasant place to be. The high driving position is a clear advantage in the city. Getting in and out is easy, space in the front is sufficient, and the seats are decent.
Once again, though, I find myself wondering why there is no adjustment for the front height of the seat base. At least the driver’s seat should have it, especially in a higher trim level like the one tested here.
The rear seats are less impressive. The seat base is short, and they are positioned slightly lower than ideal. On the plus side, this helps with headroom, which remains good even with the panoramic roof.
In general, the interior is practical and reasonably well made for the class. Lower-quality plastics are well disguised, and the materials in the upper part of the cabin are good.
However, build quality is not perfect. Small issues like slightly misaligned trim around the panoramic roof might go unnoticed by most people. But a squeaky gear lever every time you use it is harder to ignore.
There are also some odd contrasts. For example, you get nicely stitched artificial leather on parts of the doors, but the window switches are not illuminated. Details like this stand out.
On the Road
In the city, the Qashqai shows its strengths.
The sound insulation is very good. You feel well isolated from the outside world, which makes a noticeable difference in busy urban environments. The petrol engine runs smoothly, with very low vibration levels, and even under load, it remains quiet.
Road noise is also impressively low, even though the test car was fitted with 19-inch wheels and low-profile tyres.
The suspension is on the firm side, which helps the Qashqai behave more like a conventional passenger car, especially at lower speeds. At the same time, comfort remains at a good level.
Steering is a clear improvement over the previous generation. There is finally some feedback, and it no longer feels completely detached. The car is not sporty, but it is more enjoyable to drive than before.
The 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine with 163 hp suits the car well. It accelerates to 100 km/h in under 9 seconds and feels responsive in everyday driving.
Fuel consumption is officially between 5 and 7.6 l/100 km. In reality, I would expect figures closer to 6.5 to 8.5 l/100 km, which is still reasonable.
Personally, I would not choose the diesel. The numbers suggest it only becomes financially beneficial after around 90,000 km, and even then, it is slower and noisier. Unless long-term savings are the main priority, the petrol engine is the better choice.
Conclusion
With the second-generation Qashqai, Nissan offers an interesting alternative to traditional compact hatchbacks.
It delivers everything you really need in an attractive package. It may not stand out with any one exceptional quality, but it performs well across all everyday tasks.
Given the condition of urban roads in Bulgaria, a vehicle with slightly higher ground clearance makes a lot of sense. Combined with compact dimensions and optional 360-degree cameras, the Qashqai is perfectly suited to city driving. At the same time, it should handle longer journeys without issues, especially for those sitting in the front.
All of this comes at a very attractive price, ranging roughly between €20,500 and €28,000 for front-wheel-drive versions.
It is attractive not only because of the price itself, but also because of the generous equipment. Features like full LED headlights, once reserved for higher segments, are available here.
In short, the Qashqai continues to justify its position as one of the key players in the segment it helped create.
Eng. Tsvetan Iliev
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