Nissan Presented The Second Generation Of The Nissan Qashqai.
What Is Special About The Test Car?
With the Nissan Qashqai, Nissan has been offering a compact SUV since 2007, the design of which comes from the Nissan Design Center Europe in London and whose development is coordinated by the Nissan Technical Center in Cranfield, UK. The Qashqai comes off the line near Sunderland. Nissan has been building the second generation of the Qashqai there for over a year.
Immediately after the performance I had the opportunity to take a quick look at the new one. Now the Nissan faced an everyday test.
The Step Less Automatic Xtronic In The Nissan Qashqai
Step less transmissions have a long tradition at Nissan. At the start of the second generation of Qashqai, the developers extensively revised the transmission. The gear ratio spread on the diesel Qashqai now ranges from 2.413 to 0.383. The final drive is geared to 5.577. The transmission of the Qashqai thus corresponds exactly to that of the Nissan X-Trail, which we have already driven.
Compared to its predecessor, the technicians have retuned the converter in the transmission. In terms of fuel consumption, their focus was on minimizing converter losses. For the same reason, the technicians also minimized the friction losses in the transmission. In doing so, they also addressed the noises of the transmission.
Step Less Automatic With Switching Function
What remained unchanged was the fact that Nissan's Xtronic transmission offers a “manual” mode. If you want, you can “force” the transmission into certain gear ratios. Compared to older Xtronic variants, these “switching operations” - that is, moving the link chain to a certain position - take place significantly faster than before for this instance you can contact auto for trade.
A few years ago, during a classic test drive at a dealership, I was so annoyed by the "shift breaks" that I soon only trusted the automatic. The current Qashqai can do better. Its infinitely variable automatic is actually a bit of fun in shift mode. Switching on the steering wheel is reminiscent of the PlayStation. Nevertheless, the real highlight of this gearbox is of course the uninterrupted gliding. And the Xtronic does it excellently.
What Engine Did We Use?
In the test car, the transmission is connected to a 1.6 liter turbo diesel. The four-cylinder engine provides 320 Newton meters of torque at a moderate 1,750 revolutions per minute. The maximum power is 130 hp. As far as data is concerned, these are standard automotive goods today.
Please do not get this wrong. But the times when 115 or 130 horsepower stood for the performance class of sports drivers are over. Today, these numbers stand for adequate driving performance in a - at least in this sense - classless society.
The 1.6 Dci Cuts A Fine Figure
The compression-ignition engine penetrates both willingly and constantly from the lower rev range and into higher regions. The diesel never sounds annoying or half-powerful. Overtaking maneuvers are relaxed with the Qashqai. On long journeys, the automatic system lowers the engine speed to a quiet comfort level and keeps the engine in the optimal operating range of maximum torque.
This also benefits consumption. In our test, we covered almost 1,500 kilometers. Even in urban traffic in the stowed Ruhr area, just over five liters per 100 kilometers flowed from the tank into the combustion chambers. On two cautiously driven overland tours, I even manage a consumption of 4.8 liters for 100 kilometers. That is below the standard consumption of 4.9 liters per 100 kilometers.
However, the SUV is "only" allowed to glide smoothly through the landscape while rolling. If you press the tube with the Qashqai, you pay for it with higher consumption. On a very fast stretch of the motorway, I drive consumption up to almost eight liters with a lot of full throttle and many acceleration processes. Which is still a very acceptable value.
How Does The Nissan Qashqai Drive?
The chassis reliably filters out (longer) bumps. The "Chassis Control Technology" (CTT) of the test vehicle suppresses teetering. However, hard hits, such as those caused by potholes, end up in the interior fairly unfiltered. Where the driver chases his Nissan Qashqai at higher speeds over winding roads, the CTT supports directional stability with braking interventions.
The electric power steering works precisely. Even if I'm not a fan of this technology, which is now even being used in sports cars. Because I've been missing some direct feedback with electric power steering. But the Qashqai is not a sports car. The power assistance fits the compact SUV.
I did a search for the right keyword to describe the driving behavior of the Nissan Qashqai. In the end, I choose “comfort-oriented”. I think that describes the Qashqai's handling best overall.
How Do I Sit In The Nissan Qashqai?
This question is of great importance in this auto blog because I can come up with a body length that the test dummy of the 95 percent man does not cover. With more than two meters in many cars, I have trouble getting my long legs neatly arranged. In the Nissan Qashqai this works without any problems. My knee doesn't bump anywhere either.
Even if I wish I could extend the steering wheel a centimeter further. I could then bend my arms a little more. I can even sit in the back seat without bumping my head. To do this, however, the driver or front passenger seat must be moved to a forward position. So (in theory) I couldn't sit behind myself.
Which Equipment Details Do You Particularly Like?
The question of what is special is not easy to answer. Because the Nissan Qashqai proves to be a functional car overall in our test. Many details are more lovingly designed than in the predecessor. This becomes clear in the interior, which looks more valuable compared to its predecessor. The typical Japanese hard plastic look was standard in the first Qashqai. Instead, soft shapes and surfaces dominate in the new model.
Let The Sun Shine In Your Qashqai!
The equipment of the test car is luxurious. The Tekna trim level is Nissan's top offer. The large panoramic glass roof of the test car belongs to it. A feature that I noticed extremely positively even before the first test. Even after the longer test, I like the roof. There is an interior roller blind for those hot, sunny days. The air conditioning system has proven itself for this. In the test, it reliably manages to cool the temperatures down to the desired level.
Nissan equips all Qashqai with an electronic parking brake (e-PKB) as standard. It recognizes the start-up and deactivates itself automatically. In addition - with the standard consumption in mind - there is a consumption-reducing automatic start / stop in all models. The on-board computer with a 5 ″ color display is also standard. From the outside temperature to consumption and the possible distance to information about tire pressure and the current speed, all Qashqai display a lot of information here as standard.
Driver Support Is Important To Nissan
The Tekna equipment line includes an extensive driver assistance package. It includes a high beam assistant, an autonomous emergency braking assistant, traffic sign recognition, a lane keeping assistant and an automatically dimming interior mirror. Traffic sign recognition has proven itself most in everyday life. It reliably detects traffic signs on the roadside even in the dark.
There is also a blind spot warning, drowsiness detection and a parking assistant in the test car. With these three helpers, Nissan has given its test vehicle another additional package. At the Nissan dealer it costs around 700 euros. The parking assistant is a help, but thanks to the clarity of the SUV it is a luxury that is not absolutely necessary according to my taste.
Conclusion On The Nissan Qashqai 1.6 Dci Tekna
The test clearly underlined why the 1.6 dCI is the engine that most Qashqai customers choose. If you buy a Qashqai, you don't expect a sports car. Instead, he wants a car that suits his individuality. The Japanese with British roots is not the car that drivers buy when they want to impress their neighbors. But it is a car that makes many neighbors curious.
Another target group for Qashqai are certainly young families. The Qashqai also continues to meet your requirements with ease. Especially since Nissan offers the Qashqai at attractive prices. Even the equipment of the basic model is impressive. And the Nissan Qashqai remains calculable when it comes to maintenance costs.
Mission Complete… The second-generation Nissan Qashqai has what it takes to outperform the sales success of its predecessor. Because Nissan has consistently developed the SUV. The Qashqai is state-of-the-art and easily meets the requirements of many big city people.