Nissan’s small Qashqai SUV impressed me recently. A great small SUV
engineered by Nissan UK, and with lightweight aluminium body panels now 60
kilos lighter yet 41 per cent torsionally stiffer – four front-wheel drive models
powered by a 1.3-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder linked to a CVT automatic. I’d
previously tested the top spec Ti but recently drove the next model down the ST-
L, perhaps the Qashqai’s best seller at $45,900 driveaway, not the most affordable
in small SUV’s but nevertheless well-equipped and packaged. The ST-L gaining 1-
inch larger 19-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, heated combination
cloth / synthetic leather seats, power driver’s seat and manually adjustable
passenger seat, thankfully with height adjustment, front parking sensors, a
wireless smartphone charger, privacy glass, rear air vents but disappointingly
lacking a rear power door which is just so handy. The Nissan Qashqai cabin well
sized and packaged for a small family with excellent ISOFIX child tether points
and with above average boot space and importantly, a five-star ANCAP crash
safety rating. The Qashqai ST-L gains a great 12.3-inch touch screen, the usability
and clarity of which is first class with great menus. Warranty five-year/unlimited
km. Drive details next. I’m David Berthon

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