Supersize me
The instrument panel is clear white on black, and there are receptacles between the seats for small items.
Vital statistics:
Engine
2.0-litre or 1.6-litre petrol
Power and torque
102kW, 198Nm @4400r/min.
Tank capacity
65 litres
Fuel consumption
About 10ℓ/100km
Price
R303500
Nissan has stretched its soccer mom SUV, added two seats and boosted luggage space. Marnus Hattingh took the Qashqai+2 for a test drive.
What’s different? It’s a shame that most Qashqais spend their lives sitting in shopping mall car parks looking pretty. It’s also a shame that this car has such a stupid name. One thing’s for sure, though, the Qashqai (pronounced kash-kai) has made an impact in the three years it’s been on our roads. The newer, bigger version is 21cm longer. Two extra seats have been squeezed in at the back and luggage space has been increased by 40 litres. There are also some cosmetic changes: new grille, headlights, bonnet and LED-type brake lights at the back.
What do you get for your money? You have a choice of two petrol engines: 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre. At a whisker over R300000, the 2.0-litre model is just a little more expensive than an entrylevel X-Trail and much better looking. The Qashqai is only available as a two-wheel drive, but it has 20cm of ground clearance, so it can tackle most dirt roads.
What does it look like inside? On previous models, the orange instrumentation looked like it was lifted from a PlayStation racing game. Thankfully the orange has made way for a more conservative set of white-onblack dials. There are more stowage bins between the seats for things like keys, CDs and sunglasses, and the air conditioning is powerful. One design flaw is the handbrake, which is clumsy to operate if you have drinks in the centre console cup holders.
How comfortable are the back seats? The two seats right at the back are small and hard, best suited to the short-term exile of an unruly child. When not in use, they fold forward so you have a level but high loading bay. To fold the middle row of seats away, there’s a user-friendly handle that sticks out at the top. Unfortunately the handle gets in the way when you’re trying to see out the back window while you squeeze into a parking bay.
Is there enough luggage space? The first Qashqai models were rather cramped in the back, so the longer +2 feels just right. Your family’s luggage should fit in easily, and there’s also a handy retractable cover to shield your bags from the sun (and the prying eyes of window smashers).
Under the bonnet? The 1.6-litre engine is a bit pap. Rather get the more frisky 2.0-litre, which delivers a usable 102kW and 198Nm torque. Nissan’s 2.0- litre turbodiesel engine would have been nice, but it’s not available in the +2. Although it looks mean, it’s not a 4x4 and is driven by the front two wheels.
How thirsty is it? In town you need to rev it a bit to get the most out of the engine, but as soon as you’re on the open road you can put it in sixth gear and sit back as it eats up the highway. According to Nissan, you should get 9,8 ℓ/100km in the 2.0-litre model (combined city and open-road driving).
What’s the ride like? Thanks to extra moulded foam in the door panels and strips of carpet under the bonnet, the inside of the Qashqai is as quiet as a whisper. You’ll barely hear any tyre and wind noise, and the engine only becomes audible if you drive like a perlemoen smuggler fleeing the cops. The 20cm ground clearance is handy when you have to negotiate a farm road with a high middelmannetjie, and it’s useful for seeing over the other cars in peak-hour traffic.
How does it go on gravel? The suspension is soft, and it feels a bit weird on tar to lean over so far in the corners. But on gravel roads the ride is as soft as a down duvet. Four-wheel drive would have been handy, but it would have taken its toll on the fuel consumption. As long as you stay off the seriously dodgy roads and don’t drive like Giniel de Villiers, you can go just about anywhere.
We’re impressed with… The sharper snout and the LED lights. The Qashqai now looks as snazzy as a pair of crisply ironed white trousers. The white-on-black instrument panel also looks classy. What’s more, the six-speed gearbox means better fuel efficiency, and the ample luggage and storage space makes the Qashqai a true tourer.
Niggles? The low profile tyres aren’t the best for long distances on gravel roads. And if you plan to go anywhere remote where there’s a chance of getting a flat tyre, you’d be wise to take a fullsized wheel, because the +2 only comes with a “Marie biscuit” spare. The full-sized spare wheel was replaced by a half-width one to make space for the two extra rear seats.
How do similar vehicles compare? The Chev Captiva comes with a bigger engine (2.4-litre), but isn’t as sleekly finished as the new Qashqai. It’s also more expensive, as is the Mitsubishi Outlander. Other competitors in the SUV market are the Hyundai ix35 (smaller) and the Renault Koleos (odd styling).
go! says: If the BMW X1 is too yuppie for you and the Hyundai ix35 doesn’t have the right badge, the Qashqai+2 is worth a second look. Just pronounce its name correctly: Kash-kai.
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