QASHQAI

8 SEP 2021 | carsguide.com.au 2022 NISSAN QASHQAI FEATURES DETAILED

TOYOTA C-HR, MAZDA CX-30, KIA SELTOS AND HYUNDAI KONA RIVAL SCORES BETTER SAFETY, EQUIPMENT, EFFICIENCY, PERFORMANCE AND ECONOMY... BUT AT WHAT PRICE?

BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS

NISSAN HAS ANNOUNCED

equipment and specification details for its redesigned Qashqai out early next year, including confirmation at last of the much-anticipated, Australian-first e-Power hybrid version due by the end of 2022.

But with the deletion of the six-speed manual base grade that currently retails from $28,590 before on-road costs, expect the cheapest version to start north of $32,000 when prices are announced when the order books open in October.

We’ll keep you posted as soon as Nissan releases prices, but until then, here’s updated information on the Australian-market specific 2022 Qashqai, starting with the all-important powertrain choices.

Along with a new platform, larger body and redesigned interior with more room than before, the third-generation, J12-series small SUV alternative to the Toyota C-HR, Kia Seltos, Mazda CX-30 and Volkswagen T-Roc will also finally gain a turbo-petrol engine as standard.

It’s a variation of the four-cylinder unit currently serving the Nissan Juke, Renault Captur and Renault Arkana, as well as the MercedesBenz A200, B200, GLA 200 and GLB 200 grades.

Replacing the long-lived MR20DD 2.0-litre naturally-aspirated engine that dates back to the outgoing Qashqai’s Dualis predecessor released locally back in 2007, the HR13DDT 1.3-litre turbodelivers 110kW of power at 5500rpm and 250Nm of torque at 1600rpm.

Despite a 4kW and 50Nm boost in power and torque respectively, the 2022 Qashqai’s fuel consumption drops substantially, from 6.9 litres per 100km to

6.1L/100km, for a carbon dioxide rating average of 138 grams/km.

Even better economy is promised by the coming e-Power version, which employs a new 115kW 1.5-litre four-cylinder variable-compression petrol engine to charge a lithiumion battery that powers a 139kW electric motor that drives the front wheels, for total outputs of around 140kW/330Nm.

For now, all drive is directed to the front wheels only, via a revamped continuously variable transmission (CVT auto). Complete with Eco, Normal and Sport modes, the CVT’s artificially stepped shifts are meant to mimic a dual-clutch transmission’s behaviour, according to Nissan.

Backing up all the extra urge is a sharper driving experience, courtesy of a quicker steering ratio (down from 19.1:1 to 14.7.1) and a substantially stiffer yet lighter body as a result of shifting to the new, stronger CMF-C platform (cutting weight on average by up to 60kg).

Additionally, as before, all Australian-bound Qashqais will be equipped with a multi-link rear suspension set-up, quashing rumours that a torsion beam rearend arrangement found on cheaper grades elsewhere would be used instead to help keep prices down.

Speaking of grades, Nissan is sticking to decades-old nomenclature by wheeling out the familiar ST, ST+, ST-L and Ti badges (in ascending order of price) one more time.

As expected, the ST is the least expensive of the quartet, and includes LED headlights, a 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster, an 8.0-inch touchscreen (up an inch over the current car), Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, six speakers, twin USB ports, a rear spoiler and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Every Qashqai is also fitted with a new central airbag to prevent the front occupants from colliding into each other, adding to the dual front, side and curtain items also fitted.

Adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), predictive forward collision warning with pedestrian, cyclist and junction detection, rear AEB with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning and departure prevention, blind spot warning and blind spot intervention, rear crosstraffic alert, traffic sign recognition, driver attention alert, rear seat alert, high beam assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a parking camera further boost every Qashqai’s safety credentials.

Going to ST+ ushers in LED fog lights, auto wipers, a 9.0-inch touchscreen, sat-nav, wireless Apple CarPlay, surround-view monitor with moving object detection and 18-inch alloy wheels, while the ST-L scores 19-inch alloys, adaptive headlights, privacy glass, roof rails, LED turn signals, heated front seats, leather upholstery, a powered driver’s seat, wireless phone charging, dual-zone climate control and Nissan’s ‘ProPILOT’ system – a semi-autonomous tech that can accelerate the vehicle to cruise at a set speed, and can brake the vehicle down to 0 km/h in heavy traffic, before moving off again if fewer than three seconds have passed; it also includes lane keep assist.

The Ti flagship adds unique rear bumper finishes, a panoramic glass roof, ambient interior lighting, black headliner, a 10.8-inch head-up display, a 12.3-inch TFT instrument cluster, 10-speaker BOSE audio upgrade, ‘3D’ quilted leather seats with memory and massage functionality up front, powered tailgate, side sensors and automatic parking.

As reported previously, the new Qashqai has grown to 4425mm in length (+31mm), 1625mm in height (+30mm) and 1835mm (+29mm) in width, while the wheelbase has been stretched to 2665mm (+19mm).

That’s the size of it for now, but stay tuned, because more 2022 Qashqai information – including the allimportant pricing – will be revealed in a few weeks, so stay tuned. N

Herald Sun, Melbourne | 2 JULY 2021 A STEP UP IN CLASS

NISSAN LOOKS TO BE ON A WINNER WITH ITS IMPRESSIVE NEW COMPACT SUV.

JOHN CAREY

ROOMY, QUIET, COMFORTABLE,

well made, good looking and user-friendly, Nissan’s new Qashqai is a very easy SUV to like. The new model is rolling into showrooms across Europe, providing an opportunity for us to try it in Rome at its Italian market launch.

Though slightly larger than the current model in every dimension, the new Qashqai is more compact than the hugely popular Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5.

Despite its smaller size, there’s no shortage of space inside. The distance between the front and rear axles has grown by 20mm, which doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s enough to make a noticeable difference to rear-seat knee room.

And the Nissan’s seating is outstanding. For both comfort and support, the front seats are truly excellent. The rear seats are also very good, and access to them is made super easy by wide-opening rear doors. Full-size adults will have no trouble getting in and getting comfortable back there.

Luggage space is also impressive. Compared to the current Qashqai, the new model’s cargo compartment is about 15 per cent bigger.

The interior also has visual appeal. Uncluttered, neatly arranged and carefully designed, it’s more than a little Mazda-like. That’s a compliment, by the way. The plastics and other materials appear high quality.

In the high-grade Tekna and Tekna+ equipment grades Nissan brought to Rome, the level of interior tech was impressive. The Tekna + had a configurable 12.3inch instrument display, a nine-inch central touchscreen with Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay, a head-up display and a 10-speaker Bose sound system. It’s not clear how many of these items will make it to Australia, but given the level of equipment in the latest Juke, we should see most of it.

It’s a similar situation with safety and driver- assist tech. In Europe the top Qashqai models come equipped with advanced autonomous emergency braking. It can recognise and react to pedestrians and bicycle riders as well as vehicles, and also operates when reversing. It has blind-spot warning and intervention capability, plus lane-keeping intervention. There’s a dozy-driver alert system, too.

The crisp-edged exterior of the new Qashqai, designed in Nissan’s London studio, incorporates some features to cut aerodynamic drag, such as air-curtains for the front wheel arches. While the nose is clearly Nissan, overall it’s a neat and fairly conventional looking

SUV that’s neatly attractive rather than drop-dead gorgeous.

Where the new Qashqai really shines is the way it drives. Engine, tyre and wind noise levels are very low, even on the awful roads in and around Italy’s capital. The suspension set-up is on the soft side, which means it copes well with rough surfaces, but it’s no bouncy-castle on wheels.

The Nissan’s handling is quite car-like, and not a bad car at that. While it lacks feel, the steering is light, precise and accurate. The new Qashqai turns in to bends with the kind of eagerness not found in many other SUVs and is stable when carving corners.

In Europe the new Qashqai is equipped with a turbo 1.3-litre four fitted with a mild-hybrid system. This engine comes in two power levels. It’s expected that Australia will see only the high-output version, most likely without the mild-hybrid system (fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions being important in Europe, but less so here).

Assuming the Australian market engine at least matches the 116kW maximum power of the highoutput European, the new Qashqai will have enough performance for most potential buyers. It’s strong enough to satisfy in the middle part of its rev range and it helps that the new model’s body is 60kg lighter than the old one’s.

Most Australians are sure to opt for the automatic, which is a stepless CVT (continuously variable transmission). It’s set up to mimic the behaviour of a conventional automatic, so it doesn’t drone at constant revs like some other CVT-equipped cars. At the same time, it’s smoother than an ordinary auto.

While Nissan sells the new Qashqai in Europe with all-wheel drive, the old model is front-drive only in Australia. This situation isn’t likely to change with the arrival of the new model next year.

Nissan’s big UK plant in Sunderland will build the new Qashqai for Australia. From next year it will add a version with the company’s 140kW ePower hybrid drivetrain with better performance and efficiency. It’s likely to become part of the Australian model mix, too.

What you can count on for now is that the new Qashqai is an aboveaverage compact SUV, no matter what’s under the bonnet. N

NISSAN QASHQAI TI SPECIFICATIONS

PRICE

Likely to be between $40,000 and $45,000

SAFETY

Auto emergency braking, rear cross- traffic alert with braking, adaptive cruise, blind-spot and lane-keep assist, driver drowsiness alert

ENGINE

1.3-litre 4-cyl turbo, about 116kW and 270Nm

THIRST

6.5L/100km (Euro cycle)

BOOT

About 500L