- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
106kW, 200Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 6.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Auto (CVT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2017)
2018 Nissan Qashqai N-Tec review
She: The Qashqai is one of the more unique car names I’ve come across, replacing the old Nissan Dualis. For many, there’s an uncanny association with the term “cash cow” but the inspiration behind this small SUV comes from the Qashqai people. They’re are group of nomads from Central Asia who settled in Southwestern Iran in the Middle Ages, roaming mountains and living in harmony with animals and the environment.
Enough history, we’re here to talk cars. Amac what are your thoughts on Nissan’s revamped Qashqai.
He: Thanks for the history lesson Dani – and it’s not unusual for car makers to look at nomadic tribes for inspiration when naming their SUVs; the Volkswagen Touareg also looks odd as a word, but comes from a Bedouin tribe in the Sahara Desert.
Anyway, this generation Qashqai has recently come in for its mid-life upgrade with enhanced exterior styling, tweaks to the cabin and the introduction of more up-to-date safety equipment.
The N-Tec model we’re testing is a special launch edition and currently sits at the top of the range, but will be replaced by the regular flagship Ti in the middle of 2018. It costs $36,490 (plus on-roads) and comes equipped with partial leather trim, 19-inch alloy wheels, a full length panoramic roof, dual-zone climate and the full suite of Nissan’s safety systems, including adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and automatic LED headlights.
First things first Dani, does the Qashqai’s redesigned exterior styling grab you?
She: It’s not a head turner but it presents well and there are some nice touches to the exterior styling, like the big alloy wheels and the new, more aggressive face on the front bumper.
Inside, it’s roomier than a lot of other small SUVs while the boot is impressive - one of the biggest in its class. The 2018 version also boasts improved cabin quality, with less hard plastics, a new steering wheel and ambient lighting in the N-Tec, however it still looks fairly plain to me. At least the panoramic sunroof spruiks up the interior.
This N-Tec trim focuses strongly on technology yet it lacks Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and the 7.0-inch media screen looks small and dated. There’s still a decent amount of gadgets though, including a 360-degree camera and all the safety gear, which I like and think makes it great value.
He: I agree. The N-Tec squeezes a lot of gear for the money, yet it somehow doesn’t feel all that special inside. I thought the front seats were very comfortable, and there’s decent space in the back to suit most families. The lack of smartphone mirroring is becoming more noticeable, and more annoying, as its prevalence in other models increases.
Under the skin, Nissan has revised the Qashqai’s chassis settings with firmer spring rates and stiffer stabiliser bars, plus re-tuned shock absorbers and a dynamic damper on the steering system, all of which are intended to improve its on-road dynamics. There’s also additional sound insulation and thicker rear glass to reduce road and wind noise in the cabin.
So, has Nissan made the Qashqai a better car to drive Dani?
She: I didn’t get a chance to drive the previous version, but I thought this one was comfortable to drive, handles reasonably well and is generally pretty quiet when driven leisurely. It’s no sports SUV, but I thought it was pretty good over bumps and through the bends.
The 2.0-litre petrol engine hasn’t changed, still producing 106kW and 200Nm, and though it does the job it can sometimes feel undercooked. As you know, I’m not a fan CVT transmissions however this one isn’t bad. Overall, the Qashqai is competent around the suburbs but not all that engaging to drive.
I like that it has good front visibility, but thought the view out of the back isn’t that great (though the 360 camera and the parking sensors help with that).
Also, if you’re looking to draw inspiration from the Qashqai people and take this off-road, you might be disappointed as it’s front-wheel drive only.
He: I think this one is purely an urban runabout Dani, and, particularly on its licorice-thin tyres, it isn’t pretending to be a rugged off-roader.
I think it’s much more convincing than it was before, and the suspension improvements make it a better car to drive.
The engine needs to be worked a little harder than modern turbo motors in some of its rivals, and I agree that the CVT is one of the best of its type and ensures it is always in the sweet spot without flaring the revs too much.
So, where does the Qashqai now sit in the very crowded compact SUV set for you Dani?
She: There’s so much out there and Nissan has been making SUVs for a long time so the Japanese brand knows what it takes to set a benchmark. The N-Tec model is competitively priced and very well equipped though I’m not completely sold. I’m not sure it’s done enough to stand out from the pack. What about you Amac?
He: It’s a very tough segment this one, and it’s hard to go past the most popular models like the Mazda CX-3 and Toyota’s style-focused C-HR.
However, the updated Qashqai is slightly bigger than those and better suited to small families in terms of the space it offers. I think the N-Tec is excellent value for money, especially with its safety gear, and drives pretty well.
Ultimately, it drives pretty straight down the middle of the road.
2018 Nissan Qashqai N-Tec Price and Specifications
Price: $36,490 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Power: 106kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4400rpm
Transmission: CVT automatic, FWD
Fuel use: 6.9L/100km