Facelift (What's New)
New front fascia with 'V-Motion' grille and new LED headlamps
Improved Intelligent Ride Control system for ride comfort
Updated, better looking steering wheel
Addition of Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies
While Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) such as the Toyota Harrier, the Mazda CX-5 and the Honda CR-V are vying for top dog, the Nissan Qashqai has undergone an upgrade to stay ahead of the competition.
Now, the facelifted Qashqai comes with a slew of improvements, mainly in the cosmetic department, but with some additions under Nissan Intelligent Mobility - its suite of safety systems and driver assistance technologies that look out for you and may even save your skin in times of need.
Qash me ousside
Starting with the most obvious change, a new front fascia with Nissan's signature 'V-motion' grille and new LED headlamps add to the Qashqai's allure of a sportier styling. Move towards the rear and the changes become more subtle, with a slightly redesigned bumper and taillights that retain the Qashqai's taut posterior.
The Qashqai's Intelligent Emergency Braking radar is located behind the flat-finished 'V-motion' grilleOther exterior changes include the addition of a new shark fin antenna and 19-inch wheels on our 2.0-litre test car, as well as an increase in length from 4,380mm to 4,394mm. As with its predecessor, the Japanese crossover's ride quality isn't compromised by the size 19 shoes - unsurprising, seeing as it retains the same suspension setup as before.
Nissan also says that the more refined ride is a result of several tweaks to the car's Intelligent Ride Control system, which helps the Qashqai soak up larger bumps in the road more effectively.
Qash in
Moving inside, a new steering wheel is a welcome sight, compared to the old, dated one in the previous generation. It features a more intuitive four-way controller, which allows for convenient operation of the combimeter display.
A D-shaped horizontal base in the new steering wheel allows for easier entry and exit for the driverOur test car, with plum interior, comes with power seats with lumbar support for the driver and front passenger. They feel slightly firmer than before and offer solid back support, which is especially helpful for long hauls.
Cabin refinement and build quality have also improved, thanks in part to the addition of nappa leather upholstery and 3D quilting on the centre panels.
Qash you later
The 2.0-litre engine, which puts out 144bhp and 200Nm of torque, is by no means slow. However, when it's coupled with a CVT transmission that struggles to keep pace, you'll have to get creative with your overtaking manoeuvres.
Now, the facelifted Qashqai comes with a slew of improvements, mainly in the cosmetic department, but with some additions under Nissan Intelligent Mobility - its suite of safety systems and driver assistance technologies that look out for you and may even save your skin in times of need.
Qash me ousside
Starting with the most obvious change, a new front fascia with Nissan's signature 'V-motion' grille and new LED headlamps add to the Qashqai's allure of a sportier styling. Move towards the rear and the changes become more subtle, with a slightly redesigned bumper and taillights that retain the Qashqai's taut posterior.
Nissan also says that the more refined ride is a result of several tweaks to the car's Intelligent Ride Control system, which helps the Qashqai soak up larger bumps in the road more effectively.
Qash in
Moving inside, a new steering wheel is a welcome sight, compared to the old, dated one in the previous generation. It features a more intuitive four-way controller, which allows for convenient operation of the combimeter display.
Cabin refinement and build quality have also improved, thanks in part to the addition of nappa leather upholstery and 3D quilting on the centre panels.
Qash you later
The 2.0-litre engine, which puts out 144bhp and 200Nm of torque, is by no means slow. However, when it's coupled with a CVT transmission that struggles to keep pace, you'll have to get creative with your overtaking manoeuvres.
The car performs admirably towards the lower end of the rev range but put your foot down and it starts to get out of breath. Not that it matters, though, considering the fact that this SUV will spend most of its time in city traffic.
An average fuel consumption of 10.2km/L that we got during our time with the car with a heavy right foot, out of its claimed 14.5km/L, isn't too shabby. Practice a little more eco driving and those numbers are bound to go up quite a bit.
Qash me if I fall
Most notable of upgrades to the new Qashqai is the addition of Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies. These electronic nannies may not appeal to everyone but they sure are reassuring to have around.
19-inch wheels have been updated for a more modern lookParking a crossover that isn't exactly small can be daunting for some, especially in narrow carparks. Nissan's solution is the Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection.
This system employs four cameras situated around the car to display a virtual bird's-eye-view of its surroundings with selectable split-scene close-ups of the front, rear and curbside for worry-free parking. The monitor also emits a visual and audible alert when it detects moving objects around the Qashqai.
In the event the car in front of you hits the brakes, Nissan's Intelligent Emergency Braking kicks in to avoid or mitigate a collision. In addition to that, worrying about pesky motorcyclists hiding in your blindspot all the time is now a thing of the past, thanks to Blindspot Warning.
Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection makes parking the Qashqai a breezeOther safety technologies that come with the new Qashqai include Intelligent Driver Alertness, Lane Departure Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert systems.
Qash in or Qash out?
The Nissan Qashqai has managed to excel in an increasingly competitive segment, going up against the likes of the CX-5 and CR-V, and has grown into one of the most popular crossovers on our roads. Now, with better looks, improved cabin refinement and increased safety, it wouldn't come as a surprise if it stays that way.
An average fuel consumption of 10.2km/L that we got during our time with the car with a heavy right foot, out of its claimed 14.5km/L, isn't too shabby. Practice a little more eco driving and those numbers are bound to go up quite a bit.
Qash me if I fall
Most notable of upgrades to the new Qashqai is the addition of Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies. These electronic nannies may not appeal to everyone but they sure are reassuring to have around.
This system employs four cameras situated around the car to display a virtual bird's-eye-view of its surroundings with selectable split-scene close-ups of the front, rear and curbside for worry-free parking. The monitor also emits a visual and audible alert when it detects moving objects around the Qashqai.
In the event the car in front of you hits the brakes, Nissan's Intelligent Emergency Braking kicks in to avoid or mitigate a collision. In addition to that, worrying about pesky motorcyclists hiding in your blindspot all the time is now a thing of the past, thanks to Blindspot Warning.
Qash in or Qash out?
The Nissan Qashqai has managed to excel in an increasingly competitive segment, going up against the likes of the CX-5 and CR-V, and has grown into one of the most popular crossovers on our roads. Now, with better looks, improved cabin refinement and increased safety, it wouldn't come as a surprise if it stays that way.
