Mainly standard bearer or really good?
Could Nissan have imagined in 2005 what impact the Qashqai would have? When introduced, the model was virtually the only one of its kind, while the C-segment is now filled with raised models. The second generation Qashqai, which we discuss in this article, turned out to be even more popular in the Netherlands than the original. Is it also a good car to own? In this article you can read about experiences of owners.
When introduced in 2014, the second generation Qashqai was available with four different engines. Petrol drivers chose between a 115 hp four-cylinder 1.2 turbo engine and the 163 hp 1.6 turbo, both coupled to an automatic gearbox. Diesel drivers received a 1.5 dCi (110 hp) or 1.6 dCi with 130 hp. The last engine variant was not only available with automatic transmission, it was also the only Qashqai that could be equipped with four-wheel drive as an option.
In 2017, the Qashqai received a facelift, with the nose fitted with a black mask. In addition, driving assistant ProPilot became available. A year later, the 1.2 and 1.6 petrol made way for a new 1.3-liter turbo engine with power outputs of 140 and 160 hp. Diesel drivers received a 1.8 engine with 150 hp. From now on, only this four-wheel drive motorization was available.
Space offer Qashqai
Although the Qashqai is mainly a high hatchback, it turns out to be a suitable family car. “The interior space is fine for our family. The trunk is normal in size and has no lifting threshold.” Another owner owned the previous model Qashqai and writes about his successor: “Baggage has proved to be spacious enough for us. We now have more rear seat width and foot space, so we had no problems with three children, a high chair and a booster seat in the back.”
The Qashqai also seems to be a good choice as a holiday car, according to this sporty owner. “He brought us to the Alps with a full pack, three people in it and two bikes on the back.” A Qashqai, actually used for the active outdoor life. That must have looked like a picture from the brochure!
Users are also pleased with the furniture. Several users praise the firm seat that the chairs offer. Still, there is room for improvement, says this reviewer. “The sports seats are comfortable, but the seat is a bit flat. On the previous Qashqai, the seat tilted back a bit when you slid it back. That gave slightly better support to the lower legs.”
What about comfort?
Raising a car does not always mean good news for driving characteristics. Nissan seems to have found a good compromise here, because drivers are almost without exception enthusiastic about the handling of their car. “The Qashqai has excellent handling. It hardly leans over, despite the high carriage. In addition, it is very comfortable. The steering is fairly light, but not vague. The car has little trouble with side wind.” The latter is endorsed by the aforementioned owner who previously drove the previous model. “In our windy Zeeland, the crosswind has no effect on the road holding, unlike my previous Qashqai.”
A more often heard drawback at the comfort level is the noise from the rear wheel arches. “The cause was found relatively quickly: the overpressure ventilation grilles that end in the rear of the wheel arch and let a lot of noise through.” This owner decided to address this himself. “Insulation in the back solved that perfectly, after which the peace inside was very pleasant.” The owner of a facelift Qashqai from 2019 is already pleased with the tranquility on board as standard. “The wheel arches are now well insulated, so there is much less noise from splashing water when it rains compared to our previous Qashqai.” By ‘previous Qashqai’ he means the very first model, which the owner has driven for twelve years.
Nissan Connect infotainment
The infotainment system in the Qashqai is not as extensive as we are used to from younger cars, but appears to be fine. “I think the 7-inch display could be a bit bigger. I understand that this is also the case with the new model,” writes an owner about his beautiful blue facelift model Qashqai. He’s right about the dimensions. In the new Qashqai, the screen is one inch larger, with higher trim levels the diagonal is even 12.3 inches.
The Qashqai offers an appreciated 360-degree view around the car in certain versions and a modernity such as Android Auto is also available. “Android Auto really works great! Even with this small 7 inch screen. It would be useful if it got bigger in the future, but it will do just fine.” No downsides at all then? “Only when the sun shines through the panoramic roof from behind does the blinds have to be closed to be able to read the screen.”
Malfunctions and irritations Nissan Qashqai
A well-known irritation with the first series of ‘new’ Qashqais was wind noise at the left wing mirror. Several owners report this, after a number of repairs at the dealer, this problem is gone. In addition, owners experience loose door seals from the very first hour. This is also remedied by the dealer. There do not seem to be any structural concerns, although some directors do experience malfunctions. “A few times an engine failure has occurred,” writes the owner of a Qashqai 1.6 dCi. “The car still drove well, except that the cruise control no longer worked. Then it turned out that one or the other sensor was broken and that had to be replaced.” Another diesel engine is also experiencing malfunctions, here related to the turbo. He also reports creaks in the interior, a loose driver’s seat and malfunctions in the radar system.
Do you like the engines?
The diesel drivers mentioned above therefore report a malfunction every now and then. Are the engines pleasant to handle? The 1.6 dCi driver thinks so. “The combination of diesel engine and CVT ensures that the objection of going at high revs does not actually occur. While driving you hardly ever exceed 2,500 rpm and with 3,000 rpm you can accelerate fairly smoothly. In short, a pleasant companion for long distances.”
Then the petrol engines, starting with the smallest 1.2. “Super nice block, quiet, shifters, sufficient torque at the bottom and economical,” said the owner of a Connect Edition from 2014. Another ordered the Connect Edition with Xtronic CVT, a transmission with a special feature. “It has been programmed in such a way that it has, as it were, a number of switching moments. They should have left that out for me. The charm of a CVT is precisely that, if you are used to it, you can regulate the speed yourself very well and steplessly. Now things are a bit more unpredictable.”
Of course we are also curious about experiences with the new Qashqai. Do you drive such a car and do you like to share your opinion? Then write a review yourself and help car buyers to orient themselves on their new car.
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl