Family life changes the whole equation when deciding on a new vehicle. Suddenly boot and seating capacity become more important than engine capacity. Fast and sleek shapes are traded for van-like utilitarian ones and the fun factor of car ownership disappears. But that is not necessarily the case, especially with cars such as the Qahqai+2 stepping into the fray.
Seven seats rationale
In a market flooded with SUVs, it is strange to find that only a few have the option of a seven seat arrangement. You may question the rationale of buying a vehicle with seven seats if most families these days only have two children. The answer lies in the “extended” family trips. On the obligatory family visits, any trip involving the grandparents would otherwise result in either an illegal (and irresponsible) child-on-lap arrangement or a two car transport solution.
Practicality
Nissan added the +2 option to its Qashqai range as an answer to the aforementioned problem. Although the vehicle is marginally longer than its five-seater sibling, the trendy styling remains intact and only a keen eye will spot the difference. Therefore it is still a compact vehicle that makes city driving and parking a doddle. A third row of seats is cleverly stowed in the floor of the boot area and can easily be raised by a pull on the straps provided. The second row of seats can also slide lengthways to create more legroom if needed. Yes, the third row is cramped but small adults and children will fit quite happily. When ultimate load carrying space is needed, the second and third row of seats can be folded away creating a vast interior volume with a flat floor.
The interior
The fit and finish of the interior is of good quality with soft touch plastics in all the right places. The cloth seats are comfortable and finding a good driving position is easy owing to the rake and reach adjustment of the steering column. Satellite controls for radio and cruise control are located on the steering wheel.
Ride and handling
The Qashqai range is known for its good road manners and the +2 is no exception. The suspension soaks up road corrugations resulting in a comfortable, well-damped ride. Road undulations are also kept well in check and the vehicle never feels wallowy when pressing on. Sound insulation is excellent and a conversation can be had from the front to third row at the national speed limit without voices needing to be raised.
Powertrain
The 2,0-litre engine (102 kW and 198 N.m) mated with a six-speed-manual transmission provides adequate, smooth motive force but at reef altitudes and loaded with seven people, more torque would have been welcome. It is therefore a pity that a turbodiesel option is not currently offered in the +2 format. Power is fed to the front wheels only (there isn’t a four-wheel-wheel drive derivative) and fuel consumption during my relaxed tenure with the vehicle was a respectable 8,3 litres/100 km.
Summary
R333 900 may sound like a lot of money on paper, but in reality the +2 capably combines two vehicles (Crossover/MPV) into a single package that proves practical enough for any modern family. With the last row of seats stored, the boot is huge and swallows pretty much any of the luggage and children’s paraphernalia thrown its way. Get to your family’s destination, unpack, raise the third row of seats and you can explore the area in comfort with extra guests on board. As a stylish, family-friendly mode of transport the +2 is worth a look.
Specifications:*
Model: Nissan Qashqai+2 2,0-litre Acenta 4×2
Engine: 2,0-litre, four-cylinder
Power: 102 kW at 5 200 r/min
Torque: 198 N.m at 4 400 r/min
0-100 km/h: 10,5 seconds
Fuel consumption: 8,5 litres/100 km
Top speed: 193 km/h
CO2 emissions: 199 g/km
Price: R333 900
* All as claimed by Nissan
