Nissan Qashqai: First Drive

Date: 24 January 2007   |   Author: Nick Gibbs

Nissan Qashqai

Category: Lower medium Prices: £13,499-£23,250 Key rival: Vauxhall Astra

Visually, Nissan's Qashqai - whether in 4x4 or 4x2 form - really is a 4x4. To look at it is to see a Toyota Rav4 rival, with all the chunky styling that entails. But the spec sheet says otherwise.

There's no base 1.4, but otherwise all the lower-medium engine specs are covered - 1.6 and 2.0 petrols, 1.5 and 2.0 diesels - and that means it will actually be pitched as a mainstream rival to the likes of the Vauxhall Astra when it arrives in March. In terms of length, width and boot space, the Qashqai measures up to the likes of the Astra, too.

The entry 1.6 Visia costs a hatch-like £13,500, and comes with a liveable specification, including aircon, remote locking and electric windows, plus six airbags and a likely five-star crash result. The 105PS 1.5-litre diesel has a CO2 output of just 145g/km, returns 52mpg and starts at £14,600 - about the same price as a similarly powered Golf TDI - and new fleet boss James Douglas reckons it will sell best to companies (but it was unavailable for us to drive).

Move up the scale and the numbers start heading into orbit. The June-scheduled 150PS 2.0-litre dCi starts at £16,200 but you can pay £23,250 for a top Tekna spec with four-wheel drive, auto 'box and satnav.

Models vary by up to 400kg in weight depending on engine and drivetrain, the heaviest being the 2.0dCi Tekna with four-wheel drive. But the lively 150PS Renault diesel makes light work of the extra mass and is still estimated to return 42mpg. The 140PS 2.0-litre petrol in front-wheel guise is less punchy, but the car is sharper for being lighter. Overall, however, it's a heavy car in the corners, but with a future Megane platform under the skin the Qashqai nimbly avoids a lumbering 4x4 fate. It also rides decently well.

Inside, the Qashqai conforms to its intended rivals by offering a well-built, smartly designed dash with not too much drama. But that styling called for a few compromises, so the boot floor is higher, the rear headroom is reduced by the falling roofline and the rear door openings are constricted by the meatier wheel arches. The driver does, though, get a better view, up to the level of Zafiras and the like.

The Qashqai is an interesting alternative to the hatchback horde and doesn't deviate as much as you'd think from the rivals' blueprint. With CAP estimating a residual percentage in the mid 30s, it could be the first fleet-friendly crossover.

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