1. What is striking about the new Nissan Qashqai?
We have often mentioned that with the arrival of the Nissan Qashqai in 2007 a whole new car segment was created. Those were the days for Nissan. Buyers visited the showrooms en masse, sales went up a crescendo. Competition disrupted this lice life considerably. The Qashqai now has numerous competitors, such as the Hyundai Tucson, the Peugeot 3008, the Mazda CX-5 and the Volkswagen Tiguan. there are 21 in total. Although the Qashqai remains one of the best-selling cars in its segment.
The new Qashqai, already the third generation, uses its charms in two ways: with a rich safety equipment and a more chic appearance. With this, Nissan focuses more on the expensive Volkswagen Tiguan, without having to pay the same high price.
What’s good about the Nissan Qashqai (2021)?
Very much! First of all, the space, which is spacious both in the front and in the back. Although Nissan claims that the Qashqai drives dynamically because it is 60 kilos lighter than the old version, we especially notice the comfort. Low noise, light steering and a comfortably tuned chassis that makes even the bumpiest road surface feel like Sywert’s smooth poker face.
It is also nice that the Qashqai has a modern dashboard – with digital instruments, a large head-up diaplay and a large navigation screen – but also just physical buttons for operating the air conditioning and the heated seats.
Practical matters have also been thought of: 75 liters fit more than before in the luggage compartment, you can store more than 500 liters.
What could be better about the Nissan Qashqai (2021)?
Everything shows that Nissan has paid a lot of attention to its crown jewel. It is therefore best to look for real negatives. Forward, the six-speed gearbox shifts somewhat imprecisely and with longer strokes than you are used to from Japanese boxes. Furthermore, the Qashqai driver who wants to switch to an electric car will soon have to cheat: there will be no fully electric Qashqai. That honor goes to the Nissan Ariya, which will appear in early 2022.
When will the Nissan Qashqai come to the Netherlands and what is the price?
For the time being, you can only order the Qashqai as a mild hybrid: a 1.3-liter turbo engine with 140 or 158 hp is assisted by a tiny electric motor, which recovers energy when braking and uses it to accelerate smoothly and economically.
The Nissan Qashqai will be in showrooms from June 19. The price has hardly changed from the old Qashqai. It cost 33,090 euros (1.3 DIG-T 140), the price of the new Qashqai is 33,540 euros. That makes it 5 grand cheaper than the Tiguan. Then you have to make do with steel 17-inch wheels and a simple radio. For 35,940 euros you do get light metal, and also an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The petrol version with 140 hp is only available in combination with a six-speed gearbox, which you have to operate by hand. Anyone who wants a Nissan Qashqai with an automatic transmission will be shocked by the price of 39,940 euros. To compensate for this sadness, you do get 18 horsepower more. The most expensive Qashqai (158 hp, four-wheel drive, Tekna + trim level, automatic transmission) costs 47,840 euros.
What do I think of the Nissan Qashqai?
Nissan primarily focuses on preserving the many thousands of loyal Qashqai drivers in the Netherlands. They won’t feel cheated. The exterior builds on that of the predecessor, while the car made great strides in terms of safety and comfort.
And what about the most exciting version, the Qashqai E-Power that runs on electricity, but where you fill up with petrol? That will only come in 2022. This car is electric, but does not need to be charged via a plug. A 1.5-litre petrol engine with three cylinders (which does not directly drive the wheels) provides the power production.
What exactly are those new security features? Why did the Nissan Qashqai have nearly 30-inch wheels? In Auto Review we go much deeper into the Nissan Qashqai!