Let’s start with a recap: the Nissan Qashqai was a runner-up in the 2012 Top 12 Best Buys category for crossovers/compact SUVs, and with good reason.
It is well equipped, offers turbodiesel en petrol engines, a 4×4 drivetrain or a 4×2 drivetrain, and seven seats in the Qashqai +2 range. Overall, it is one of the most diverse ranges in the market.
This brings us to the 1,5 dCi turbodiesel model that Nissan recently added as an entry point into the local Qashqai range for buyers who require a diesel engine but who could not quite stretch to the pricey 2,0-litre turbodiesel.
On the road
A 1,5-litre turbodiesel, delivering 74 kW and 240 N.m, might sound miniscule for such a car, but if you have seen – or driven – a Qashqai you would know that it is not a very huge or cumbersome SUV, but more of a crossover, only a little higher off the ground than a standard saloon.
The result of the smaller capacity turbodiesel is that you still have enough torque for everyday use, while your visits to the diesel pumps are less frequent. On our fuel route, the Qashqai dCi used an average of only 5,5 litres/100 km.
More than one tester had passengers in the car during our test period. These trips were up to 200 km with a mix of city and highway driving, and none of them complained about any lack of power or grunt. There was enough torque to overtake slower-moving traffic, even at highway speeds.
The ride in this turbodiesel is better than some of the more expensive Qashqai models because it makes do with plump 16-inch tyres on high side profiles instead of the low-profile 18-inch versions on more expensive models. But, the lack of VDC (vehicle dynamic control) is rather surprising.
Practicality
The Qashqai offers the necessary ground clearance should buyers drive on gravel roads on a regular basis. This increase in height also makes getting in and out of the vehicle a little easier than that of say a Volkswagen Golf. The Nissan offers more luggage space than a standard hatchback, too: 288 dm3 versus the Golf’s 208 dm3. Fold the Qashqai’s seats down, and the 1 056 dm3 utility space is comparable to that of an estate such as Honda’s Accord Tourer. The rear boot door doesn’t open high enough. One tester (at 1,87 meters tall) commented that he had to duct to gain access to the luggage compartment. Another few centimetres would have made all the difference.
Summary
There is little on which to fault this Qashqai. It is a versatile, spacious vehicle that offers a cushy ride and great interior comfort (the seats especially are excellent). Compare this Qashqai with the likes of Volkswagen’s more premium Tiguan and you will need to pay an additional R20 000, although you do get a 2,0-litre TDI engine (81 kW/280 N.m).
The 1,5 dCi engine is a welcome addition to the range and for several buyers it should tick all the boxes.
Specifications:*
Model: Nissan Qashqai 1,5 dCi
Engine: 1,5-litre, four-cylinder turbodiesel
Power: 78 kW at 4 000 r/min
Torque: 240 N.m at 2 000 r/min
Fuel consumption: 5,1 L/100 km
CO2: 135 g/km
Top speed: 177 km/h
Price: R277 925
Service plan: 3 years/90 000 km
Service intervals: 15 000 km
*Claimed by manufacturer.
Test results:
0-60 km/h: 5,58 seconds
0-100 km/h: 13,63 seconds
100-120 km/h (5th gear): 6,5 seconds
100-0 km/h: 3,25 seconds (average of 10 braking tests)
CAR fuel index: 6,12 L/100 km
CAR fuel run: 5,5 L/100 km
