Again it was known as the Dualis, the Nissan Qashqai was a trailblazer in what’s now a booming phase in Australia.
The previous-generation mannequin lived previous its use-by date, although. As rivals moved to supply turbocharged and hybrid energy, the final Qashqai was saddled with a breathless naturally-aspirated engine and a droney CVT. That is not the case.
Even the bottom mannequin now encompasses a turbocharged 1.3-liter petrol engine with extra energy and torque, which is an effective begin, and its creaky inside has been overhauled with a extra trendy design, extra up-to-date know-how, and a extra spacious rear.
It even has an e-Energy hybrid possibility – or it should, hopefully at some point in 2023.
We have already pushed high-end variations of the brand new Qashqai, however we’ve not dived deeper into what’s on supply for patrons on a finances.
Does the 2023 Nissan Qashqai ST+ strike the best steadiness between worth and thrilling inclusions?
How a lot does the Nissan Qashqai ST+ value?
The brand new Qashqai vary kicks off at $33,890 earlier than on-roads, and extends to $47,390 earlier than on-roads.
Our Qashqai ST+ tester sits within the center at $37,890 earlier than on-roads.
That aligns it with the Mazda CX-30 G25 Touring ($37,690), Volkswagen T-Roc 110TSI Style ($37,100), and the Kia Seltos Sport+ 2.0 FWD ($35,800).
2023 Nissan Qashqai pricing:
- Nissan Qashqai ST: $33,890
- Nissan Qashqai ST+: $37,890
- Nissan Qashqai ST-L: $42,190
- Nissan Qashqai Ti: $47,390
Costs exclude on-road prices
What’s the Nissan Qashqai ST+ like on the within?
Just like the bigger X-Path, the newest Qashqai has been handled to a little bit of a glow up for 2023.
The wing-shaped dashboard is residence to a brand new 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system operating extra trendy software program than the dated previous-generation mannequin, and the driving force is confronted with a 7.0-inch TFT journey pc. All of it appears to be like flash, though the plastic steering wheel is fairly nasty.
Who at Nissan thought it was okay to trim the passenger facet of the dashboard (as in, the bit no-one touches) in smooth fake leather-based, after which determined to not hassle with the wheel in a small SUV price greater than $40ok to drive – away?
The remainder of the principle contact factors are strong. The seats are trimmed in solid-feeling fabric and supply extra help than within the previous automobile, the place it all the time felt such as you have been perched on crates; whereas the view out is extra SUV than high-riding hatch.
The infotainment system is significantly better than the low-res, low-tech touchscreen that served within the final Qashqai. With wi-fi Apple CarPlay, moderately enticing graphics, and sharp responses. It is very practical.
Nissan nonetheless cannot match the Volkswagen Group in terms of the polish of the graphics and animations although, and the shortage of app connectivity is disappointing from a brand new automobile, with a steeper new worth.
We would additionally like to see Nissan roll out its full digital instrument binnacle throughout the vary. The common journey pc is ok, but it surely’s nothing extra – and the Qashqai’s rivals, together with its company cousins ​​at Renault, supply higher-tech choices for related cash.
There’s loads of storage up entrance, with deep cupholders and a slot beneath the dashboard. You additionally get a good bin underneath the central armrest, and spacious door pockets.
Entry to the rear comes courtesy of doorways that open to 90 levels, which anybody loading a toddler will admire. The broad opening makes it simpler to get youngster seats in with out painful contortion, and greater adults are extra simply in a position to climb in if required.
As soon as in, there’s above-average ranges of legroom and headroom. Additionally helpful are the twin USB ports and air vents, together with the central fold-down armrest. It is a very usable house, extra according to a Kia Seltos than the outgoing Hyundai Kona.
ISOFIX factors characteristic on the outboard rear seats, and there is a trio of top-tether factors for youngster seats.
Quoted boot house ST+ is 429 liters with the rear seats in place, increasing to 1524 liters with them folded.
What’s underneath the hood?
Energy throughout the Qashqai comes from a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, making 110kW of energy and 250Nm of torque.
That is up 7kW and 50Nm on the naturally-aspirated engine within the earlier mannequin, and peak torque comes on faucet 2800rpm earlier (at simply 1600rpm) and hangs round till 3750rpm.
It is nonetheless mated with a CVT computerized, somewhat than the dual-clutch transmission paired with the identical engine within the Renault and Mercedes-Benz worlds.
Claimed gas financial system is 6.1 liters per 100km, and the gas tank holds 55 liters. You may must stump for 95 RON premium unleaded, somewhat than cheaper 91 RON.
How does the Nissan Qashqai ST+ drive?
There’s extra punch and extra polish than was on supply within the final mannequin, that is for certain.
The turbocharged engine fires quietly, and the actual fact Nissan has opted for a CVT as a substitute of the dual-clutch that options in Renault and Mercedes-Benz automobiles with the identical engine makes it smoother round city.
Relatively than hesitating or jerking off the road it feels typical, slurring round city inoffensively and making faux gearshifts to do a convincing torque converter impression.
There is a trace of turbo lag off the mark but it surely’s not exhausting to drive round it, and when you’re up and operating the additional torque relative to the naturally-aspirated mannequin earlier than it’s welcome whenever you put your foot down.
Trip consolation in variants with greater wheels has been extensively praised, so it must be no shock the ST+ feels comfortable on its 18-inch alloys. It floats properly over pimpled metropolis streets, and settles down at freeway speeds like a much bigger automobile.
There’s additionally a little bit of enjoyable dialed into the drive. The sunshine steering would not essentially scream sports activities automobile, but it surely’s fairly fast off-centre, making it simple to dart round tight metropolis streets.
Not solely does that make the Qashqai simple to park, it combines with a suspension tune that calls to thoughts the Ford Puma. Throw it right into a nook and it feels gentle on its ft, with sufficient physique roll to be energetic and sufficient grip to be sporty.
Enjoyable is not a phrase you may have actually used to explain the final Qashqai, but it surely does really feel related with the brand new one.
Exterior town, there’s little or no street or wind noise within the cabin to spoil the serenity.
Nissan’s suite of ProPilot driver assists, which incorporates lively lane-centring and adaptive cruise on the freeway, is well calibrated.
It easily maintains a niche to the automobile in entrance, and the lane-keeping feels assured sufficient to intervene when required, however intelligent sufficient to remain hands-off when not required.
No matter which assists are lively, it’s good to preserve your palms on that plastic steering wheel…
What do you get?
Qashqai ST highlights:
- Auto LED headlights, tail lights
- LED daytime operating lights
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Momentary spare wheel
- One-touch energy home windows with distant operation
- Proximity key entry
- Auto-folding, heated facet mirrors with LED indicators
- Reversing sensors and rear digicam
- Urethane steering wheel with rake and attain adjustment
- 7.0-inch TFT journey pc
- Guide air-con controls with rear vents
- 8.0-inch touchscreen show
- Wired Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- AM/FM and DAB+
- Constructed-in voice controls
- Entrance and rear USB-A and USB-C ports
- 6-speaker sound system
- Driver’s seat lumbar regulate
- Charcoal fabric seats
Qashqai ST+ provides:
- Rain-sensing wipers
- LED entrance fog lights
- 18-inch wheels
- 360-degree cameras
- 12.3-inch touchscreen show
- Satellite tv for pc navigation with dwell site visitors
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
Is the Nissan Qashqai ST+ secure?
The Nissan Qashqai has a five-star ANCAP security score primarily based on testing carried out in 2021.
The Qashqai managed 91 % for each grownup and youngster occupant safety, 70 % for weak road-user safety, and a really robust 95 % for security help options.
Customary security options embrace:
- 7 airbags incl. front-centre
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Lively velocity limiter
- Adaptive cruise management
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Ahead collision warning
- Lane departure warning
- Lane preserve help
- Rear parking sensors
- Reversing digicam
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Tire strain monitoring
Qashqai ST+ provides:
- Clever Round View Monitor (360 cameras)
- Shifting Object Detection
How a lot does the Nissan Qashqai ST+ value to run?
The Qashqai is backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee in Australia, together with 5 years of roadside help.
Nissan is charging a reasonably penny for servicing. Upkeep is required each 12 months or 15,000 kilometers, and the primary six providers will set you again a mean of $670.66 every time.
The fourth ($1027) and sixth providers ($1108) are significantly nasty, and even the most affordable service ($375, service one) is costlier than you will pay for any go to to the supplier within the first 5 years of Honda HR-V, Toyota Corolla Crossor Mazda CX-30 possession.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Nissan Qashqai ST+
The brand new Qashqai is significantly better than the automobile it replaces in primarily each manner – however then once more, it wanted to be.
The brand new inside feels correctly trendy, the brand new engine packs sufficient of a punch, and the outside is sharp sufficient to face out in a rising crowd.
Nissan deserves factors for providing a helpful again seat and boot in what’s nonetheless a comparatively compact bundle, and for together with tech like a surround-view digicam on even the one-from-base Qashqai ST+.
It is usually a well-specced, well-priced bundle with one key exception.
The urethane steering wheel can be virtually sufficient to cost the circa-$4000 extra it’s good to pay for a ST-L from my pocket… however finally, the ST+ nonetheless represents a candy spot within the Qashqai vary.
MORE: Everything Nissan Qashqai
Execs
- Punchy turbo engine
- Inside tech feels updated
- ST+ is mostly properly specified
Cons
- Drivetrain nonetheless has some quirks
- We’re nonetheless ready for e-Energy
- A urethane steering wheel? Actually?
Prime Line Specs
- Energy: 110kW
- Gasoline Sort: Premium Unleaded Petrol
- Economic system: 6.1L/100km
- CO2 Emissions: 138g/km
- ANCAP Security Score: 5
